CANTERBURY MARINERS WALKIN 0 vs 2 BEXLEY 50S

Our 50s played Bexley in the WFLA National Cup who we had played previously in the Round 1 tournament.

Both teams started brightly with the initial stages being played out in the midfield. Bexley started to settle into the game and we struggled to move the ball with our usual zip. They overloaded the midfield and would set 3 across the middle preventing us from moving the ball through to Gareth to hold up and have other join in from our midfield. Their striker was played high and was getting plenty of ball through the middle as we tried to get the ball around the outside of them. One such ball saw him collect the ball, roll and his low strike found the net off the post. We pushed to get back on terms but within minutes they doubled their lead with a virtual carbon copy of the first goal.

It was only now that we started to find our way and get some joy in moving forward. The ball broke wide on our right to Jason whose low strike cannoned back off the post with their keeper beaten. we continued to push but their defence and ours were now on top and both sides were limited to long range efforts. Half time came with no further scoring.

The second half started as the first had finished. We seemed to have learned how to play through them and cut out the supply to their striker. We were enjoying more time in their half but equally they were content to play the ball around despite us pressing high. Both sides were trying hard but indiscipline was creeping in and Bexley were reduced to 4 outfield players when they lost a man for running offences. We pushed the extra man forward and were getting several shots away with some being blocked and going high and others that their keeper was equal to. From one free kick we tried a practiced move that had worked the previous week against Maidstone whereby the ball was played wide to Gareth who set the ball back into the centre for Paul to strike. The ball seemed destined for the corner when from nowhere their keeper appeared and pulled off a fantastic save,

We freshened legs but continued to use the formation that was now working. Our defence was keeping their strikers at bey and shooting from range that Jon was equal to but we were now limited to long range efforts with them being back to full strength.

There were no more meaningful efforts and the game finished with no further scoring.

Player Of The Match - Jon Payne

Result Canterbury 0 - 2 Bexley