Richard Atkins proved to be the game changer as his double helped his Beckenham Town side take the three points from ten-man Glebe in this Friday night encounter – The Becks front man taking his season tally to twelve.

The win, their third in a row and all by the same score-line, takes The Becks to within one point of league-leaders Sevenoaks Town.

That good run of form was evident as the visitors looked calm an assured in possession early on but allowed the hosts back into the game as the opening half came to a close, responding well to come out for the second half dominant to take the game away from their local rivals.

Despite The Becks looking confident in possession the first half offered little in the way of goalmouth activity as neither goalkeeper was tested but midway through the first half the game came to life as Richard Atkins nodded home an in-swinging cross on the left-wing to give the visitors a lead they deserved, not necessary on chances alone but for the possession they had seen and accumulated.

On the half hour mark the fairly tame game got fiery as the hosts and Max Fitzgerald saw red.

In the build-up to a set-piece on the edge of The Becks’ penalty area Fitzgerald and The Becks’ no’ 4 were clearly tussling in the box – As the ball was cleared and the players’ left the box the two continued their spat with the visiting player falling to the floor after an apparent clash of heads – After a lengthy stoppage the referee consulted with his assistant issuing a yellow card to The Becks man with Glebe’s Fitzgerald given his marching orders.

Despite The Becks’ dominance and one-goal lead and the hosts down to ten-men it was Glebe who responded the better and with half-time approaching the hosts got back on level terms as Brian Zepo turned in the box to drive the ball home and get his side back on level terms.

The interval did not deter the hosts and within 60 seconds of the restart almost took the lead as a good move down the left-side resulted in a snap-shot driven narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

But The Becks restored their earlier lead as Shameek Farrell lashed home from the edge of the penalty area.

The hosts were now looking to attack their opponents more swiftly and directly and it almost paid off in route-one style as a long goal-kick was flicked on to Zepo who beat The Becks’ goalkeeper to the ball but got too much on it as the ball looped over the crossbar.

And that direct style gave the visitors a little more concern as a high searching cross on the left was met at the far-post but the header across goal evaded both the back post and the lurking Zepo.

But The Becks kept their cool and their quality along with perhaps their tiring opponents shone through as Atkins (69) gave his side an unassailable two-goal lead prodding home from close range after the home ‘keeper fumbled and spilled a long-range effort from the left-corner of the penalty area.

The third goal seemed to take the wind of the sails of the hosts as The Becks were able to take control of possession for lengthy periods once more safe in the knowledge they had the two-goal lead.

There was almost time for a spectacular finish to the game as Jamie Humphris picked up a loose ball on halfway and had the foresight to see the home ‘keeper well off his line but saw his effort fall wide of the target.

This was a well drilled performance and well-deserved victory for The Becks taking their unbeaten run to four games whilst the hosts will be looking to bounce back after two straight defeats.

 

Glebe:  Zepo (40)

 

Beckenham Town: Atkins (19, 69), Farrell (50)