Shockwaves through the league as one of the cup favourites were eliminated. A disappointing performance from Bexley who would have been hoping to build on their semi final run from last season but it was YMCA Ellite who marched on. Both teams begun the day saluting the armed forces, past and present.
As the smell of alcohol from the Baulsom household wafted through the team this would be a game where Bexley were largely second best. Indeed it took a heroic clearance from the ever consistent Rob Purcell to stop the home side form going behind in the first half. The ball would spend most of its time in the middle of the park with Ellite squandering various opportunities. James Brown showed he requires linesman’s lessons when failing to spot the most obvious of offside’s but fortunately for Bexley Jim Duff was on the ball. The sides went in level at half time with neither taking a hold on the game.
The second half then went down hill (not literally as the pitch was flat). Ellite broke and managed to score through the defenders legs catching Dan flat footed. Bexley’s reply was instant. The goalkeeper initially denied Lee’s close range volley which unbelievably hit the target. A corner from the left promoted a goal mouth scramble and James Hall (quietly building a goal tally) bundled in from close range.
Ellite replied with a similar break up the field. With the Bexley midfield lagging behind the attacker neatly found the right corner making the score 2-1. It could have been 3-1 but Rob made his second crucial block of the game. This looked to be crucial when Bexley equalised for the second time. Elton had been introduced for Matty B, injecting some pace to the Bexley game. He broke down away from his marker down the right and centred the ball for Laurie slotting home from close range.
For a second time in the game Bexley conceded almost immediately after scoring. Ellite broke in from the left and got a lucky rebound off Dan’s hand into the net past the despairing Rob and Lee. Despite the introduction of James Brown Bexley chasing the game would not find another outlet. Some attempts narrowly off target would be the most Ellite would have to worry about.
Problems were worsened by Lee attempting to assist his opponents on more than one occasion, and Kev’s reaction times becoming progressively slower, the centre back more than double the legal alcohol limit for Sunday league football. A late switch to 4-3-3 pushing Steve into midfield with MJ and Laurie with Elton, Laurence and James up top failed to have the desired effect. Indeed it was Ellite who looked more like scoring forcing a couple of late saves as Bexley were well beaten.
A bad day at the office as 3-2 did flatter Bexley a touch. The slow starts to games and lack of opportunities forged up front may become a worry if it continues but there is no better way to bounce back than bulldozing Sporting St George next week, notoriously weak at the back but free scoring up front.
