First XI v Whitchurch Utd

Whitchurch United U16 - 1
Bishops Waltham Dynamos U16 - 4
Testway League U16 Division 2

Our final league game of the season. As Whitchurch had offered the option of a midweek fixture on their main pitch we are here on a Wendnesday evening under floodlights, the pitch was up to its usual low standard but conditions were dry. A decent crowd of support made the trip up the A34 and their presence was much appreciated. Although Dynamos were unbeaten in the league and had easily won the opposite fixture at home there was still the possibility of finishing second to Hatch Warren even though Dynamos had a win and a draw against the second placed team.
Whitchurch got things underway playing up the slope in the first half. Dynamos created the first chances though, firstly a poor Whitchurch clearance fell to Jack who shot wide, and minutes later a great run by Jack who slots a neat pass into Matt but he is crowded out. This pitch is much wider than any other Dynamos have played on and probably twice as wide as the Hoe Road pitches of this year ! The effect of this became apparent with the number of incomplete passes, in the first half especially, as Dynamos players took a long while to adjust to the extra distances involved ! Nerves were settled in the sixth minute, a long ball forward by Sam found Jack running through, he played the ball into Jordan who slotted the ball home with ease. Whitchurch however, were competing well and if anything looked the more comfortable on the big pitch, but then again they weren't trying to pass the ball much in the first place. Four minutes after going behind Whitchurch were level, a long ball out of defence was won by their centre forward near halfway and Dynamos seemed to invite him to progress directly to the six yard line from where he smashed the ball over JT. Dynamos were awarded a free kick just outside the area for a handball, Jack takes but the keeper saves easily. Using the slope well Dynamos created a string of chances for themselves but a packed Whitchurch defence always seemed to have one extra body to deal with the threat, corners were won but getting the ball into the front of goal was a struggle. Matt and Joe were combining well on the right flank, one such move takes Joe all the way to the byline and he crosses right under the crossbar where the keeper loses the ball under pressure from Jordan, the ball falls to Matt who fires home from close range. With their lead restored Dynamos took full control of the game continued pressure on the Whitchurch defence allowed Sam and Ads to get forward more. Half time arrived, a frost had begun to form near the corners and spectators were huddled together in the stand.
Manager Adam makes changes to Dynamos formation and Aaron comes on for Rob P. Playing up the slope suited Dynamos passing game, the build up play was now much better, Matt and Aaron were causing a lot of problems for Whutchurch with their pace, Aaron almost made goal of the season with an amazing overhead kick form a cross by Sam. Another ball from Sam finds Aaron running through, he crosses low and hard in from the right and it's met by Jack who flicks the ball past the keeper. Most of the play is now in the Whitchurch half, occasionally a long ball is fired over the top but Dynamos are solid at the back tonight, so much so that I believe JT had no actual saves to make in the entire game. Midway though the half Jordan and Joe are replaced by Ben K and Tim. A slick move down the right and Ben K crosses for Aaron who fires wide when it looked easier to score. Tim battles well in midfield to win the ball and creates an opening for himself, his shot is turned onto the post by the keeper, a scramble follows and the ball is finally put into the goal by Aaron. Matt suffers what looks like cramp and is replaced by Jordan. Ads combined with Tim on the left flank and fires a long ball into the Whitchurch area which is headed just wide by Aaron. Then, with seven minutes to go Jack and Jordan make way for Joe and Jed. Another left sided Dynamos move draws out the Witchurch defence and the ball finds its way across to Joe who is all alone with the keeper to beat but somehow his shot slips past the right hand post. The ref blows for full time, Dynamos have won with ease in the end and with it are undefeated division two Champions !
Everyone was pleased and probably equally relieved.