First XI v Down Grange

Bishops Waltham Dynamos U16 - 2
Down Grange U16 - 7
Testway U16 League Cup Semi Final

Today we hosted Down Grange (DG) from Division one, so we knew it was going to be a bit tougher than usual. Twelve seconds into the match DG win a corner, after some nervous pinball style defending JT is able to gather the ball safely. A scrappy opening ten minutes is brought to an end when DG win a corner which is only half cleared, falls to a DG forward who fires in a really impressive curling shot from outside the area and the visitors have the lead. The floodgates, however, failed to open and on the fifteen minute mark Matt had us back in the game with a rather speculative effort which flew over the keeper who could only turn and watch the ball hit the far post and roll into the net. Dynamos followed up with a couple more chances for Matt and Joe but without any luck. Unfortunately, the DG response was to create a couple of quick chances of thier own, the difference being two goals in two minutes which, with half an hour gone was the passage of play which shaped the remainder of the match. DG were full of confidence now, one move from one end to the other without Dynamos getting a touch ends in a shot going wide. Dynamos create another chance for Matt but the keeper makes a full length save. DG win a free kick just outside area and JT makes a fine save. Two minutes later DG have another free kick, this time JT punches clear in fine style. More DG pressure, Dynamos give the ball away just in front of their defence, a couple of quick passes later and its 1-4, halftime comes and Dynamos heads are beginning to drop.
The second half continued the theme set at the end of the first, a couple of great saves by JT as Dynamos defence is run ragged from the re-start. Five minutes into the half its 1-5 and game over, a long free kick over the top of Dynamos defence and the DG striker walks the ball round the advancing JT. Dynamos were relying heavily on their keeper, yet another fine save from a direct free kick and again follows up with punching clear the resulting incoming corner. There was more to come from Dynamos, Greg fires a free kick into the area but with no luck. Tom B hits an excellent shot in from the right which hits the bar, ref ignores the offside flag but no Dynamos player following up. Challenges were getting a bit heavy, Matt picks up a yellow and Aaron receives a lecture form the ref too. Halfway through this period Dynamos remind us all how well they can play when Matt latches onto a through ball and cooly lobs the keeper for 2-5. Dynamos continue to fight hard for another, Tom B fires a shot over the bar from close range and Dynamos continue to push on. Unfortunately DG were able to utilise the break away attack with too many Dynamos defenders committed to more attacking positions so 2-6 was an easy goal for DG. Greg challenges well for a ball near the corner flag, home linesman gives a corner which my, on reflection have been an error, but either way the in form JT catches corner in great style. Dynamos attack again, a chance for Aaron goes just wide, DG counter attack and from a great cross the ball is headed into the roof of the net from close range at the far post and 2-7. The game ground slowly to an end in the final phase, Dynamos created another couple of chances but nothing on target as such.
At full time the score slightly flattered DG, if anything Dynamos created more chances overall but had no luck converting them today. Meanwhile, at the other end JT did well enough to be man of the match twice over today.