Man of the Match- Steve Bird
Goal of the Match- James Hall sticking one in the top corner, fantastic goal
Save of the Math- Woodside keeper recovering well to launch himself across the goal and tip the ball onto the bar
Moment of the Match- Kev bouncing off Dan and meeting the grass, made you all smile
Remembrance Sunday bought a one minute silence perfectly observed by both teams. After getting a bi in the first round, Bexley Athletic immediately entered the Division 3 leader trophy at the quarter final stage. Familiar opponents in Woodside Celtic with a mixed history, it looked to be an interesting cup time.
Within five minutes Woodside were millimetres from taking the lead. Mark changed his mind when marking the short corner, as a result Woodside were able to fire an unopposed shot into a crowded penalty are. Dan’s fingertips got the ball onto the bar and Tom cleared the ball away. The game then settled down and it was clear this was going to be a physical encounter.
In a tight opening to the game Bexley appeared to have the better of the chances. Pete’s threatening free kick was punched away by the keeper. Dan found himself in on goal a few times not to mention when the Woodside keeper appeared to hand him a goal on the plate; only to recover and pull off and unbelievable save. Sean also had an effort from range but wide.
Only misfortune and sloppy errors were letting Woodside have a sniff at goal. Sean was relieved to see his miss timed error from a corner fall into Dan’s hands. The goalkeeper got away with an air kick after confusion with Tom on the edge of his box, and letting a high ball slip out his hands with the offside flag removing the danger.
Bexley edged ahead on the thirty minute mark. Baulsoms combined as Mark’s corner met the head of Lee who scored via quite a notable deflection. One could have been two when Laurie ran with the ball down the left and crossed to Mark, but the defender made a decent interception with Mark theatrically falling to the floor. This one of many physical battles interrupted the flow of the game, both team’s performance would have been better but for spending too much time talking to the referee.
Adam was bought on for Pete at half time as Woodside went for the equaliser. Three of the Bexley back four were reluctant to head the ball from the goalkeepers long kick causing unnecessary problems however; poor attacking play from Woodside and Bexley recovering meant Dan was not tested beyond simple catches. More theatre from the Woodside player manager as a precisely timed tackle from Tom resulted in shouting and screaming.
The result was made more comfortable in spectacular fashion. Receiving the ball around twenty five yards out, he put the ball on his stronger right foot and rifled the ball over the keeper right into the top corner. Probably the best goal so far this season.
Bexley were now killing the game, defensive shape was preferred to counter attacking, having said this, the Woodside keeper was kept warm. Adam had shot on the turn saved, and Mark’s header late on was also straight at the Woodside keeper. Tom tried his own long range effort, slightly further out, same corner but just over. Elton had also burst through, James Hall was next to him with a tap in but he failed to feed in his strike partner.
In the closing minutes, Woodside put three at the back to push more players forward. This proved counter-productive as they could not hold onto the ball in there half and spent more time defending than attacking. There clearest chance came when a long ball down the centre was again allowed to bounce; the player manger was in but missed by a distance.
Three weeks ago, Bexley were a team who could only get one shot on target in ninety minutes of play. This week, the opposition were of this standard. Could it be possible Mark’s mysterious training techniques are helping the team pass the ball better? But back on planet earth, a team with a half decent striker would have surely had many goal scoring opportunities, but you can only beat what is in front of you. Stand by for some credit for Sean... despite having too much to say to the referee, couldn’t have worked harder tracking back to help out the back four and battled hard all game. James Hall, vindicated the decision to put him up front again capping his performance with a fine goal, and Tom very strong in the air. Managers thoughts “battled well, thanks to those who turned up. Impressed with he passing in the second half.”
(Next weeks opponents JB Knights lost 10-3 today)
