Man of the Match- Steve Bird
Goal of the Match- Robs header via Louis’s right boot
Quote of the Day- Rob Purcell “its like playing on mud”
Save of the Match- Dan’s free kick save onto the post
Firstly well done to Mark for correclty identifiying the location of Hall Place.
Plumstead Challenge Cup, Round 2, Metropolitan League opponents in Keston Phoenix. Conditions, very poor, other referees would have called the game off. The squad was thin as Louis was bought in and Rob was a sub. Steve would captain whilst Lee was having fun in prison.
Bexley would face the wind in the first half on a pitch which was very boggy. Both teams would take time to adjust to the conditions and make their mark on the game; with the opening plagued by a series of individual errors. The first half was inevitably going to be tough for Bexley. Elton had one of few meaningful efforts as he would enjoy a morning of turning off the defenders. He was unfortunate to see his effort hit the inside of the post and role agonisingly across the face of goal. The outspoken striker would later fashion another opportunity for himself which was narrowly wide.
Defensively the first 45 would be a challenge with clearances hanging in the air and rarely leaving the Bexley half. The conditions promoted slide tackles and Laurie played his usual part of getting stuck in, as was Mark in right midfield. Josh made some telling interventions on the left. A back line minus their captain was patrolled well and it was be a stroke of genius which would break the dead lock. Dan’s goal kick barely made half way, and was disappointed to be beaten by a long range effort whilst still of his line aided by the wind and some Rafael Nadal style top spin.
Clearly unfazed, Bexley would press on. Louis showed Keston could be opened up with some dazzling run from right back. Alongside Rob, the impressive forward runs were promising, but were leaving gaps at the back which Keston should have capitalised on. The away side were inches from doubling their lead with a long range free kick, this time Dan got airborne to push it onto the bar.
Bexley’s goal was one of quality, with the full backs showing the forwards how its done. Louis pressed forward on the right, delivered a delicious ball which Rob gobbled up in the form of a bullet header into the net. There was a sense of satisfaction at half time going in at 1-1 in anticipation of better things to come in the second half.
The second half momentum would swing from team to team. When Bexley pressure the ball Keston looked a liability, but when they allowed them to play, the away side looked dangerous. Rob and Louis both took opportunities to take wind assisted shots comfortably saved by the keeper. MJ had a good hit off the outside of his right boot but spun wide.
Keston had not much to speak off in attack, only a lobbed effort over. As the tention mounted Bexley got their deserved lead and a deserved goal for Elton who wasn’t going to be denied by the keeper saving his first attempt with persistence paying off slotting in from a narrow angle. Scoring so late in the game would seem to be enough. The late Keston onslaught produced little workload for Dan. Elton was again denied by the Keston keeper as Bexley looked to put the game to bed.
This should have been the case as with two minutes to play, James broke forward. It would have been sensible to run to the corner flag, or even hold the ball up for someone to pass to, but no to the disgust of everyone James shot and amazingly lobbed the keeper from outside the box making it 3-1, immediately receiving congratulations form a bunch of hypocrites. Keston then came straight up the other end with the Bexley defence switched off scrambled in a consolation but had no time to go for a late equaliser. A red card on full time would compound the misery.
A final score of 3-2 and round 3 await. Opponents Sabonah 97, very good team who have already knocked Bexley out of one competition this season.
