Bears are hit for five

Bearsted

Struggling Bearsted lost 5-1 to Croydon Athletic last Saturday. The score didn’t reflect the game with three goals coming in the last 20 minutes, including two in added time. Bears, second-bottom in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division, matched Croydon for most of the game and at one stage looked like they might win. It took the hosts time to settle against Croydon’s long-ball game, Scott Andrews with an excellent early save from Warren Mfula’s header. Bears grew into it but fell behind on 40 minutes when Morgan Jendon finished a ball over the top. Kevin Stevens’ side were level a minute later, Andy Hart beating flatfooted defender Adam Broomhead and lobbing Daniel Burnett. Bradley Webb was denied and Hart headed wide from Sam Flisher runs as Bearsted started the second half well. But when a Bears attack broke down, Croydon countered and Chevan Xavier crossed for Mfula to make it 2-1. Andrews saved a Carlton Murray-Price penalty to keep Bears in the game and they almost equalised when Keelan Mooney hit the post. The game-changer came in the 70th minute when Croydon substitute Bradley Wilson scored from the edge of the box. Injury reduced Bears to 10 men and Mfula scored two more at the death. Bearsted go to Erith & Belvedere tomorrow (Saturday). Bearsted: S Andrews, Foster (Hughes), G Andrews, Lyall, Flisher, Holliday (Bartrum), Hayes (Perkins), Garner, Webb, Hart, Mooney. Subs not used: Sage, Matthews.