First XI v Fordingbridge

Fordingbridge U16 - 2
Bishops Waltham Dynamos U16 - 4
Testway League U16 Division 2

A nice bright, but rather chilly morning for our long trek to the edge of the New Forest. As the boys went through their pre-match warm up it was noticeable that we had ourselves an eccentric referee to keep us spectators amused as he too went through a rather unsusal warm up all of his own. Also, when it was pointed out to him that the nets were far from secure he took offence to the suggestion that he hadn't checked them even though we had all witnessed him not doing it ! Anyway, the football match, Dynamos kicked off and immeadiately got on the offensive, Tom B hit a cross field pass right to left for Jordan to run onto but he was out numbered in the area and the chance went. Matt had a good run into the area but shoots wide. But Dynamos were not going to have it all their own way today, Fordingbridge attacked swiftly to force a corner which Dynamos clear. In the fourth minute Dynamos go into the lead, Jack latches onto a through ball from Sam and althougt his initial shot is blocked on the line he follows up to force the ball in from close range. Minutes later he has another chance, a long kick by JT is headed on by Matt into Jacks path but he shoots just wide. Fordingbridge began to take the initiative, and pressed Dynamos back for an extended period, a close call as a high ball drops between defence and keeper but James is out quickly to smother the ball. By the twentieth minute Fordingbridge were level, a free kick was lifted into the area, Dynamos fail to clear and after a scramble the ball ends up in the Dynamos net. A couple of minutes later Fordingbridge have another corner but its wasted. On twenty six minutes Dynamos win their firat corner, Tom B takes, the ball falls to Jordan who misses his kick but in doing so creates a chance for Ads who shoots wide. The ref decides to award Fordingbridge a corner from miles away even though the linesman who was on the spot saw the ball go out for a throw ! Back come Fordingbridge, they win a free kick just outside the area, its well struck and hits the Dynamos crossbar, comes back to Fordingbridge player who heads over when it seemed easier to score ! Now we had end to end football, Dynamos pressure saw Ads on a long run, rides two or three tackles in the area only to be finally brought down just outside ! The kick right on the angle of byline and penalty area was taken by Tom B, finds Jacks head and he puts just enough on it for the ball to creep over the line and Dynamos regain the lead. The final few minutes of the half saw more Dynamos pressure, a great run and cross by Jack just evades Ben K at the far post, Dynamos win another corner but fail to press home their current superiority. A well contested half comes to an end.
Manager Adam replaces Ben K with Joe for the re-start. Dynamos pick up as they finished the previous half, a great passing move down the right sees Joe's cross snuffed out in the area, a left sided move ends when Jordan's cross is cut out by the keeper. Dyanmos win a corner, Joe takes but its cleared. Lots of pressure but nothing to show from Dynamos. But ten minutes in and the luck changes, Ads long clearance finds Jordan who wins the ball in the air, flicks it on to Jack who runs through and fires the ball into the roof of the net at the near post. That's more like it boys ! The mid part of this half really got bogged down in midfield, the teams trading corners but little else, Joe has a speculative long shot and the keeper saves. Tim comes on for Tom B and is straight into the action, Jordan fires in a free kick from the left, the ball falls to Tim on the edge of the area but his shot goes wide. Dynamos seal the match when a free kick is won wide on the right wing, Joe floats an excellent ball into the six yard area where its met perfectly by Jordan who heads powerfully into the top of the net leaving the keeper no chance. More Dynamos pressure and another free kick, Jordan takes, the ball eventually falls to Rob P who shoots just wide. Joe has a brilliant shot palmed over the bar by the keeper, Joe takes the resulting corner, again Jordan gets there before anyone else but can't direct the ball to the target this time. A long ball out of defence finds Jack in the clear but he shoots over. Then complacancy creeps into Dynamos play, they are caught too far forward and Fordingbridge take a consolation goal on the break.
A well contested match which could have flowed better if the ref had refrained from fussing about nothing and giving free kicks for incidents that hadn't happened ! Great performances today from Jordan, Ads, Tom B and man of the match Sam.