First XI v Churchfields

Bishops Waltham Dynamos U16 - 5
Churchfields U16 - 0
Testway League U16 Division 2
A pleasant, but rather chilly morning at Priory Park for the visit of league leaders Churchfields. Dynamos kicked the game off, playing directly into the low sun it was going to be a difficult first half - or so we thought ! Indeed, the early exchanges were evenly fought with chances being created at either end, Churchfields won a corner while Matt and Jack both forced saves from the Churchfields keeper. Both sides looked threatening going forward but Dynamos were far the more impressive at defending, both Ads and Sam were handling the Churchfields wide men impressively, and very ably backed up by Rob R and Greg in the centre, all being directed by JT in goal. This solidity gave Dynamos midfield the freedom to make their passes more easily, after twenty minutes Dynamos had their reward, a Churchfields through ball was returned with interest by Greg, Jack controlled the long ball, went on to beat two defenders and slid the ball past the keeper. Churchfields really knew they were in a game three minutes later as Dynamos cut through their half with a swift and accurate passing move ending with a shot by Jordan which the keeper could only palm away for a corner. Joe takes the resulting kick for Jordan to brilliantly head the ball into the far corner under heavy pressure. Dynamos were now in their best phase of the match, in quick succession there were further chances for Jack and Tom B, and, just on the half hour it was 3-0 and a really impressive victory was already a distinct possibility. A clinical move begins as Rob R intercepts a Churchfields pass, plays the ball out wide for Jordan who takes on the right back, crosses in for Jack to fire home from close range. Dynamos continued to press Churchfields back, especially Matt who was causing many problems for Churchfields left side players, a couple of Dynamos corners went unconverted and one ball from Matt crossed right across the Churchfields goal with nobody on hand to tap in. Churchfields switched their focus in attack from the wide men to going down the middle, this brings out the bravery from JT as he snuffs out the threat saving well diving at the forwards feet. It seemed that Churchfields had regrouped for the final few minutes of the half, a free kick bounced awkwardly in front of JT in goal and came back off his body into the path of the forward following up but somehow his attempted tap in went wide when it seemed easier to score ! A big let off and Churchfields end the half playing much better and possibly we had a turning point in fortunes. Manager Adam had to impress on the boys that the job is only half done.
Churchfields begin the half and 22 seconds later the ball is in their own net ! This, in fact was the final turning point in this match. Tom B wins possession in the centre and finds Jack inside the Churchfields half he shrugs off a defensive challenge and cooly slots the ball into the net, this really took the wind out of the Churchfields sails. Some delightful possession football by Dynamos takes the ball all over the pitch and results in the keeper saving from Matt. However, Dynamos were not to have it all their own way in this half, Churchfields had re-organised at the break and now had a revised forward line, they break through on goal early on but shoot wide, this serves as a wake up for Dynamos. Ben K replaces Sam at right back. The teams were now trading chances, a long period of Dynamos pressure ends in the keeper saving from Jack. At the other end JT was a lot busier now, firstly cutting out a cross and soon after having to pull off a full stretch save and scrambles to collect the rebound. Tim replaces Jordan and Dynamos midfield shuffles around. Play was quite even by midway through the half, chances were few as the teams mostly cancelled each other out, Greg fires a long free kick into the Churchfields area which comes off a defenders head straight into the keepers hands. A through ball by Tim gives Matt a chase but the keeper just gets to the ball first. Arun M replaces Joe. Churchfields, in their increasing efforts to pull one back were being caught offside occasionally but usually their long ball attacks were dealt with by the excellent Dynamos defence. It was some feeble defending at the other end which allowed Dynamos to score again, Tom B has a run down the right and fires in a low cross to the near post where an unmarked Matt skillfully directs a side foot volley into the net. In the final few minutes Churchfields again enjoyed some better possession, another chance on the break and JT comes out to save off his legs and out for a corner, the resulting kick he then punches clear. That was the last that Churchfields had to offer, the full time whistle calls time with the score at 5-0. Manager Adam is suitably delighted - as well he might ! Great performances today from JT, Ads, Jordan, Matt and especially man of the match Rob P who covered an awful lot of ground breaking down the Churchfields midfield threat. Later we learn that - as other results also go Dynamos way - Dynamos climb from third to go two points clear at the top of the division. This feat has been described aptly as 'Bloody Marvellous'