The last game of the season for Bearsted against VCD who still the play-offs had to play so rested a few players for today’s match but still had enough to win.
This game seemed to epitomised Bearsted’s fortunes for the season as they only really performed in the second half as the season only started for them after Christmas.
The game started with VCD on top and in the 6th minute Bethal Gboda saw his curling effort from 20 yards pushed away by Frankie Leonard. Bearsted had their first half chance in the 8th minute when a cross into the area saw Nathan Light’s overhead kick go just past the post then VCD took control of the game and in the 15th minute they took the lead when a long ball forward saw Danny Keyte’s attempted back pass did not reach Leonard allowing Rajan Sahni to nip in and then walk the ball into the net.
Three minutes later Adebola Sotoyinbo saw his 15-yard shot saved by Leonard and in the 25th minute it should have been two when Liam Gillies at the back post received the ball, controlled it and his shot from 15 yards went just wide of the post a minute later Lee Bird on the back post saw his snapshot saved by Leonard.
In the 27th minute against the run of play Bearsted equalised when a ball forward to Connor French who controlled it and then laid it into the path of Dieko Falade who ran into the area cut inside and from 15 yards shot past Toby Waller.VCD were taken a back with the scoreline but up to half time created the only chances as in the 31st minute a corner to the back post saw Charlie Heatley rise but his header went over the bar.
In the 37th minute Sahni passed to Gboda who raced into the area, but his 15-yard shot was saved. Another glorious chance came in the 44th minute when a ball into the area found Joe Thomas whose first time shot went to Sotoyinbo but from 6 yards scooped the ball over the bar.
The second half took a while to get going and then in the 64th minute a corner to the back post found Ryan Blake who from 8 yards headed over the bar. Two minutes later VCD restored their lead when a free kick to the back post was headed back across the area where Harry Lawrence stabbed it home from one foot, this was against the run of play.
Bearsted this time were the team in shock as they had dominated play up to the goal and then in the 72nd minute another glorious came when the ball fell at James Nurden’s feet, and his shot went wide. In the 85th minute in a rare attack Nathaniel Olowloe in the area twisted and turned but his shot went across the goal and past the back post. Bearsted with time running out went for it and in the 87th minute Eniola Hassan on the left ran into the area and along the by-line before passing to Sam Stace who from 8 yards blasted over the bar.
The last chance came in the 90th minute when French put Falade through and from 18 yards hit it over the bar with Waller coming out. The final whistle went and Bearsted’s season was over and Kevin Stevens was glad it was all over and could have a rest before planning for next season while VCD’S season goes on with a play-off game against Punjab on Tuesday.
Bearsted:
- F.Leonard 2. D.Keyte 3. J.Nurden 4. J.Palmby 5. R.Blake 12. C.Lee (73) 7. D.Falade
8. S.Stace 17. C.French 10. N.Light 11. E.Hassan
Subs Used: 14. J.Wilson (73)
Subs Not Used: 15. S.Sage 20. J.Savage
Bookings: None
Vcd Athletic:
- T.Waller 2. C.Heatley 18. G.Whitelock 4. H.Lawrence 5. K.King 6. L.Bird (45) 7. J.Thomas
8. L.Gillies (73) 9. A.Sotoyinbo 10. B.Gboda (45) 11. R.Sahni
Subs Used: 12. T.Anderson (45) 14. D.Ozobia (45) 16. N.Olawole (73)
Subs Not Used: 13. A.Walker 15. O.Freeman
Bookings: 2. C.Heatley (82)
Referee: Mr J.Miller
Assistants: Mr K.Bailey & Mr S.Cuthburt
Att: 125