VCD Athletic 0 Beckenham Town 2

Monday 16th January 2006

Beckenham produced a professional performance at Harrow Meadow to take all three points against a tough VCD Athletic side that until Saturday had managed to rack up an unbeaten run of 18 matches in all competitions, writes Ian Muir.

From the onset VCD threw everything they could at Beckenham who were missing several players due to injury. Former Millwall player Jay Roberts was making his debut at left back and was thrust into the action early as VCD constantly probed Beckenham’s right flank.

Despite having three early chances the home side could not hit the target and a stream of poor finishing followed.

Beckenham, however, were comfortable rolling on ropes and soaking up the pressure, Adeniyi playing in an unfamiliar centre back role was commanding in the air.

It was 20 minutes into the game until the visitors had their first chance when the ball was fed through to Vines by livewire Dean lodge; - Vines was stretching and could only hit the side netting. From then on Town changed their style and began building attacks from midfield with Rose playing the holding role.

Beckenham's opener came after some fine work again by Lodge who found the head of Ahwan who had created space to nod home five minutes before the break.

The home side once again started the second period at pace and again could not create the chances that would put them level while Beckenham once again were hitting long diagonal balls to the front pair of Morris and Vines, then again changing their style to build once again from midfield.

With half an hour left Beckenham were now commanding while the home side continued to battle but it looked like only one team would score the next vital goal.

Ten minutes from time Stewart picked the ball up inside the opponents half and sprinted towards goal, his speed enabled him to ghost past the VCD defence twisting and turning and as he dipped his right shoulder he managed to put himself in a great shooting position then unleashed an unstoppable thirty yarder.

This was the signal for some changes as midfielders Meeko and Green replaced the hard working front pair of Vines and Lodge. Martin was given freedom to roam in the middle up front with Green switching from right to left wing, hard tackling Meeko became the anchorman in midfield.

From then on VCD never got the chance to pull one back and Town constantly pushed forward.

In this match Beckenham kept to the game plan adapting when necessary. At times it was not pretty to watch but it was a job well done against a very well organised side.

The treatment table will be full again this week with Meeko and Lodge joining Cheeseman, Hudson, Kyezu, Plumain and Price who are already being treated for various injuries.

Beckenham entertain Slade Green on Saturday at 3.PM in a Kent league Cup group match needing only a point to progress to the quarter-final and VCD Athletic entertain Broxbourne Borough in the FA Vase at Harrow Meadow.

Beckenham: Rob Tolfrey, Jake Daniels, Errison Ahwan, Peter Adeniyi, Jay Roberts, Ryan Martin, Gavin Rose, Paul Vines, Daniel Morris, Ohran Stewart, Dean lodge. Subs. Cedric Meeko, Junior Kadi, Ellis Green, Aliy Kyezu.