Disappointing would be an understatement. A winnable cup gone for another season as Bexley exit far too early. An absolute shambles from the start as a number of players absent meant Bexley were disjointed from the off. A half time lead would give some false confidence, but the continued lack of chances created is still a problem. Woodside Celtic struck again having ended the unbeaten start to the season; they knock Bexley out of the cup at the quarter final stage.
Bexley were relieved Laurence stepped in last minute deciding he was able to play the holding role. Elton held the fort up top, whilst Barney played in an unfamiliar role at left midfield.
Bexley had the better of a first half which created few chances, looking more assured on the ball and in control at the back. Midway through the first half Bexley would fashion their only real chance in open play of the game as Elton was played in down the channel but shot across the keeper wide. But just before half time Bexley took the lead as Elton won a penalty as the keeper fouled him after spilling the ball. EGL dispatched the penalty down the middle with his own unique technique.
Second half and Woodside went for it and Bexley were beginning to look stretched and unable to clear their lines playing into the strong wind. A disappointing equalising goal would be conceded from a set piece as a corner was delivered into the near post. Ryan rightly left the ball for the incoming keeper, but Dan misjudged the flight in the wind and was beaten by the arriving Woodside player. Momentum had now switched. Bexley could not hold possession and the one attacking tactic of playing Rob and Elton in through the flank was now obvious, predictable and easy to defend against as the two up front were isolated.
Woodside made their advantage count and it sadly came from another defensive error. Kev allowed a long ball to bounce and he was immediately stranded and they were in. The finish was clinical, across goal on the half volley into the corner but frustratingly inches from being saved. Bexley were out of ideas and were reduced to a few speculative efforts from Adam and Rob Purcell. A third came from a ball which on another day would have been swallowed up by the centre backs, but this time played the opponents in and finished rather fortuitously with a mis-hit shot. Heads dropped and the game was up.
On another day, the three goals wouldn’t have found the net as they were facilitated by individual error and/or luck, but not for the first time, Bexley seemed to lack ideas in the final third against decent opposition. With Elton averaging one goal per game, the next highest scorers lie on 0.45 and 0.33 goals per game, clearly indicating we need to find another outlet instead of being one dimensional in attack.
