First XI v South Wonston Swifts

Bishops Waltham Dynamos U16 - 5
South Wonston Swifts U16 - 3
Testway League U16 Division 2
Back to Hoe Road for this fixture which paired top versus bottom, the conditions were bright and chilly with a heavy pitch underfoot. Dynamos kicked off and pressed South Wonston (SW) back with some good possession. Tim's long throws were a major feature in this early passage of play, one throw was headed over by Joe, another taken by the keeper, two or three others made it into the area but SW were always first to the loose ball to clear. Having weathered the opening assault it became obvious to those watching that SW were here to make a game of it and that Dynamos thought that a walk in the park was all that was required. SW won the first corner of the game which was headed clear by Ben K, further SW pressure was rewarded when Dynamos failed to close down the ball and the SW forward was able to slot the ball home from inside the area. This turned out to be a very short lived lead. A long ball out of defence by Greg was headed backwards by a SW defender, Arun had a race with the SW defence, got a shot in under pressure right at the foot of the post, the ball going in off the keeper. Surely Dynamos would go on to enforce their home advantage, but no. A couple of minutes later SW had another corner, it was badly taken, only just reached the near post, bounced in the six yard box and was headed into the net by a stooping SW attacker unchallenged. This left Dynamos looking at each other again as no one took the initiative to clear. Dynamos forwards were failing to play the SW defensive line there were another handful of excellent long throws from Tim but no one was getting on the end of them for Dynamos, there were a couple of long range efforts but nothing to trouble the SW keeper. Right on the half hour SW scored again to make it 1-3, it was again as a result of poor effort amongst the Dynamos ranks. Manager Adam immediately made changes, off came Aaron and Tom L, on went Jack and Sam and Ben K moved to right midfield. Minutes later these two combined to force a save by the SW keeper, but the score remained unchanged up to the break.
Manager Adam took a long time with the boys at the interval to explain what was needed to rescue the situation.
SW kicked off the second period, but a different Dynamos had taken to the field, the passing had returned and there was movement up front. Matt had a shot which went wide, Jack's excellent cross was mistimed by Ben K when it seemed easier to score. Another attack and Dynamos win their first corner ten minutes into the second half ! Joe takes but its too deep, the ball is played back in and Joe is there to head and force a save. Next Jack is through on goal but the keeper saves with his feet, a corner results there is a scramble, another corner and an offside. Jack forces a save which goes for a corner, Joe takes and Jack heads in at the far post unmarked. So, now its 2-3 and the momentum is firmly with the home team now. Three minutes later the scores were level, a slick passing move down the left involving Ads, Tom B and Jordan who crosses the ball which falls to Tim, his shot is half saved by the keeper and Matt following up tucks away the rebound. Further Dynamos pressure forced a string of fine saves from the SW keeper who single handedly kept his side from falling well behind. Another excellent Dynamos move throught the middle releases Joe into the area but he is brought down by a clumsy challenge, he gets back up to emphatically bury the spot kick into the corner of the net and Dynamos lead for the first time in the match. By the time the hour mark had passed the strong SW effort had faded once again Dynamos fitness had seen them through a difficult time, the second half display of teamwork was excellent and proved this squad has strong character and resolve to get the job done. The fifth goal came from a right sided move started by Sam, his ball into Tom B was played first time out to Ben K who crossed for Jack to score easily from close in. SW were not entirely finished but had resorted to relying on long clearances to make progress but Sam Ads and Greg were able to handle this threat, SW had a free kick in an attacking position but failed to capitalise as three were caught offside. One long ball over the top caused Ads to run a long way back to make a fine saving tackle in the area to deny the SW forward a shot at JT. A tim long throw finds Jack in the area, his shot on the turn hits the outside of the right hand post. In the last few minutes even Dynamos were slowing down as the effort of turning round this game took its toll. Any good performances today only applied to the second half, Joe and Tom B had great games but man of the match was Rob R at centre back. Actually the Manager should take great credit today for identifing the problems and sorting things out whilst there was still time to put things right.