First XI v Whitchurch

Whitchurch U15 - 1
Bishops Waltham Dyamos U15B - 2
Testway League U15 Division 2

We travelled to Whitchurch FC in thick fog this morning, but by kick off time it was fine and sunny. However, at this ground you - as a player - also have to contend with a steep diagonal slope from corner to opposite corner ! Oh yes, and a stiff breeze too. As usual Dynamos were fast asleep at the start, defending far too deep and allowing Whitchurch way too much freedom on the ball. Manager Adam was livid. Luckily both teams were playing as badly as each other and it was in fact Dynamos who took the lead, Jim played Jack through on goal and, going to the right, jinked left to lose the defender and shot past the keeper into the bottom corner of the goal. Witchurch employ a similar long ball tactic as did Broughton but a much more crude version, on reflection, it does rather seem to be the pitch which dictates this approach and one gets the idea that all matches played here are as bad as this one was. Dynamos were trying hard to play a passing game and much the better football - going forward at least, even midway into the first half there were no players present in the midfield chasm. Dynamos quickly took advantage as manager Adam pushed the full backs up to more attacking positions, in the same minute the ball was laid back to Ads who crossed for Arun to smash home his first goal for the team into the top of the net at the far post. The two goal lead was short lived though, Witchurch finally got their only tactic to work as the awful defending display swapped to the other end for a change. Half time happened.
Dynamos now had the most downward direction, Rob R hit a free kick from way out which just slid wide of the upright. But still they struggled to be first to the ball - even going downhill. JT's kicking was excellent all the match but especially this half. The disjointed, scrappy play wore on for the spectators for minute after minute and was becoming painful to watch. At this point the otherwise excellent referee decided enough was enough and in a desperate attempt to keep the spectators attention, awarded Whitchurch a penalty which nobody had appealed for. JT had the pressure on but adjusted well to initially save the kick and then juggle the ball off the line and into his grasp, that will be justice then ! Jack had a great run at the Whitchurch defence and shot just wide as the ball rolled off down the hill.
Manager Adam acknowledged it was a terrible game but a win is a win (in cliche land anyway) also mentioning Ads and Luke who played the left side well today, man of the match was Ben K who's aerial skills at both ends were the highlights today.