First XI v CK Andover

CK Andover U15 - 1
Bishops Waltham Dynamos U15B - 2
Testway League U15 Division 2

It was a bitterly cold morning and a lack of support meant transport was an issue too. In addition some felt the need to drive via the west country in order to get to Andover ! By the time we were all assembled it was almost time to kick off, so not our best preparation for a football match. There was a freezing cold icy wind and overcast skies which made it uncomfortable for all. The seemingly very efficient ref got us underway, Dynamos began brightly as they are now urged to do by manager Adam, Tom B and Jack both having good chances on goal early on. Throughout this match there were numerous free kicks awarded to both teams which only the ref had seen, this clearly upset the many CK coaches and managers present and made for a rather stop - start spectacle. Even Rob R was fouled, Tom B took the resulting free kick but the keeper saved. Almost against the run of play CK took the lead from a looping miss-hit cross which went high over JT but fell into the far top corner. Dynamos were very much still in this game though, Luke had a decent shot saved and Jack chased everything as Dynamos looked the more likely to score. Midway through the half a CK free kick is played into the Dynamos area and after a bit of a battle JT is left on the floor and in need of treatment, luckily he is ok to continue. Rob R was taking all the free kicks in our half and really effectively too, finding accuracy with good distance, on one occasion causing the keeper to fumble, but the ball went wide off his shoulder. Dynamos defence were the key to this improved level of play, especially Ben K and Rob R who effectively marked the CK front two out of the game whilst Ads, Sam and Jed took care of everything else, including the offside aspect of the game. Some attacks did get through but JT was equal to them, as is usual now. CK did have the ball in the net once more in the first half but an offside decision disallowed the effort. The half ended with Dynamos much the happier albeit one behind, manager Adam was full of praise as the boys have again proved to everyone how a solid first half effort can bring much improved results.
The now whistle-happy ref decided to make CK take the kick off three times before being happy that the ball had moved in the correct direction. Due to Dynamos excellent defensive effort so far CK seemed to have rather run out of ideas for the second half, Dynamos defence remained quite high up the pitch and played the offside to great effect. A few minutes into the half Dynamos won a mystery free kick wide on the right, Tom B was in no mood to mess about and fired the kick right over the keeper into the far corner for a spectacular equaliser. So, could Dynamos hang on for half an hour and a well deserved point ? The ref continued to frustrate the CK management committee with his nit picking approach to ruining any flow the game may have had, he also indulged himself in the rare hobby of over-ruling linsemen on throw-in decisions too ! The said committee helped Dynamos somewhat by spending a lot of this half tinkering with their teams formation and generally arguing with each other. JT was rarely really troubled in this half, Ads and Ben K were getting more forward down the flanks now as Dynamos did a good impression of trying to win the game. Jack had battled long and hard up front on his own trying to keep the CK defence busy but had had little support until the last fifteen minutes when Dynamos had the momentum to press forward more, Luke had time to pull off a few cute flicks to further agitate the CK supporters. With five minutes to go Ads brought the ball up the left and chipped it through to Jack who's headed flick on fell perfectly to Tom B and his volley flew past the keeper into the top right corner from outside the area and a second contender for goal of the season ! The CK camp was a bit quiet from this point, in a game they clearly expected to win easily, they had first been well held back and then outplayed. CK were unable to mount a telling effort to draw level and the final whistle was greeted with cheers by the Dynamos travelling support. For the second week running Dynamos had taken on board Adam's instruction and improved once again to this time take an unexpected victory - never mind stealing a point. Tom B was rightly man of the match but there were plenty of great performances today - fantastic !