Mark Baulsom’s 5 Cs again inspired Bexley Athletic to another win as they continued their march to back to back promotions. YMCA Ellite provided a decent challenge as they did the first fixture, but a rock solid back four, two clinical strikes, and an angry gangster captian would surcumb them to defeat.
This was a classic banana skin for Bexley, so Pete took no chances and fielded a strong side. It would be the last home game of the season, and the Hall Place pitch was certainly showing its wear and tear. From the off Bexley took control completley dominating the midfield and the ariel battle. It would not be long before they took a deserved lead when patient pressing resulting in a throw deep in opponenets teritory. James Hall launched the throw into the mixer where it was flicked on by the defender for vic e captain Elton to pounce and score his thirteenth of the season. It was also the in form strikers fifth goal in five games.
Bexley would shortly have the ball in the net again, but Laurie was penalised for taking out the keeper. Elitte would also have the ball in the net, ruled out by Davenport-Braes for offside. A string of corner forthe away side would produce little threat, and gangster bad man would start his one man crucade to start a fight with anything that breathed. However, Bexley were almost catalysts of their own downfall. Granted it was not the most acurate throw in the world, but Mark also showed the agility of a drunk giraffe in trying to get to the ball. Then end result was Elitte hitting their first shot on target tipped over the bar. Dan was again forced into action as he tipped wide a free kick to keep his team in the lead.
At half time Bexley held a deserved lead, but they were warey that the game was far from won, and these point would be very important. The balance of the game shifted in the second half and YMCA Ellite were now the better team and testing Bexley’s defensive capabilities. These capabilities proved superior to the apparent lack of attacking talent displayed by Elitte. Where the midfield was dominant in the first half, the back four was the boss in the second, completely nulifying the Elitte attack. Bexley were also working threatening positions on the counter, but the keeper was only forced into one save in the second half. Laurie was still dominating the ariel duals.
Two significant moments would follow. Steve was very harshly penalised for hand ball inside the box giving Elitte the chance to draw level on the hour mark. Fortunatley for Bexley, the penalty lacked power and accuracy giving Dan the opportunity to save. Then gangster bad man made yet another poor challenge, then took his frustrations to Louis’s forehead resulting in a caution. This only served to fuel an already fiery captian as he continued to look for a fight, quickly resulting in an immediate dismissal. Credit to the referee for some strong officiating.
Elitte continued to look for that equaliser, as Matt and Josh were introduced for fresh legs. dodgy back pass aside, put in a shift in the final minutes to contribute to the victory. Elitte would feel hard done by to concede a second. James Hall was the source again, as he capped off a fine team move by slotting in Laurence who produce a well hit strike across the keeper, sealing the win.
With Barca and Valley Park not playing today, Bexley go top, but are a net third one point behind barca once all the games even out.
Ratings by P. Baulsom
