We made hard work of it but Falcons completed a 100% record in September, defeating Bexley Invicta 5-3 on Wandsworth Common.
Problems that the boss didn’t expect to have three months ago mostly surrounded who would start the game as a bumper squad of 16 was available. Jack missed out through injury while Elliot was suspended for being a very, very bad boy the previous week against Soho. There was a welcome return from injury for John who eased himself back in to the team in defence alongside the also returning Tom J. Other than that, the starting 11 remained the same.
There was a fairly even start to the game but Falcons started to assert themselves and a series of crosses caused problems for the Bexley defence. This finally paid off when Pete whipped the ball in from the right and, with the defenders preoccupied with Juddy, Tom B ghosted in at the far post to score his first goal for the club on 15 minutes.
The favour was returned just five minutes later with the best goal of the season so far. Falcons worked the ball from defence and a great pass from Chris G released Tom down the left wing. He put in a peach of a cross between the defence and goalkeeper that allowed Pete to smash in the second goal for his first of the season too.
Typically, we started to make life difficult for ourselves on the half hour mark. A simple floated free kick into the box saw a Bexley player lose his marker. Conal’s attempt to save his shot seemed to involve trying to sit on the ball. He was unsuccessful! 2-1.
The great feature of September has been our ability to bounce back from conceding a goal and this game was no different. Juddy scored for the third game on the bounce on 35 minutes when his deflected shot from the edge of the area for the back of the net.
The first changes came in at this point as Louis replaced Francesco and Pete went off for Kieran. Sadly, the half finished by conceding another goal, although this one at least had less of a catastrophic feel about it as the Bexley captain struck a terrific shot into the far corner to make it 3-2.
The half-time team talk was a mixture of praising the terrific attacking play but reading the riot act on some of the defensive work. Falcons had overplayed at the back at critical times and the first goal was a bit of an abomination. Worse was to follow!
Olu came on for Brady at the start of the second half and his impact was almost instant. On 50 minutes the midfielder twinkled his toes past three Bexley players before delivering an assured finish low into the corner to make the scoreline 4-2.
The majority of the second half was comfortable but Falcons failed to take their chances with a number of shots failing to hit the target, while Alex saw his free kick tipped onto the bar. Tom J was replaced by Ritchie after pulling his arse (his words) while Dave came on for Kieran who was suffering from a slight hamstring strain.
On 70 minutes the manager’s phone went flying when we conceded another terrible goal. Again it was a simple ball over the top of the defenders and, with no one prepared to clear it, the Bexley player finished calmly to make it 4-3.
Pete and Francesco returned to the pitch for the final ten minutes and Falcons finally put the game to bed moments later when Dave’s cross from the right went over the goalkeeper’s head and into the back of the net to finish the scoring at 5-3.
So, another three points and it’s not unfair to say that the attacking play was close to perfect. The passing and movement were particularly easy on the eye and there was a general feel of calm throughout. Let’s just stop conceding stupid goals!
Post-match, the boys descended on The Two Brewers where a quick post-match pint turned into a post-match pint or ten. Video footage of the post-11pm behaviour has been collected and will be held for viewing at an appropriate future date!
Thanks to Jack, Dykey and Andrew for their support on the day as well as Aaron who joined us late on.
Next up is an away trip to face London Titans!
Squad: Conal, John, Duncan, Tom J, Pete, Tom B, Brady, Chris G, Alex, Francesco, Chris J
Subs: Ritchie, Kieran, Louis, Olu, Dave
Scorers: Tom B, Pete, Chris J, Olu, Dave
