Pentwyn Dynamos Under 16s 2013/14

Thursday 15th April 2010

Eglwys Newydd Primary School

AFC Whitchurch  1 - 2  Pentwyn Dynamos
                                              Fry
                                                          Swabey

Our third match in 5 days saw us play Whitchurch at Eglwys Newydd Primary School. A big, physical Whitchurch side took the game to us from the whistle and - although we were playing all the football - took the lead with a sweetly struck shot from outside the area. We continued to play our passing game, whilst Whitchurch used the small pitch to their advantage, constantly playing long balls up to their big, pacy strikers - putting us under pressure with just one strike of the ball!

We kept our heads and the boys didnt get sucked into the long ball tactics they were facing. We kept the ball on the 'deck' when we had it and battled when we didnt. By now Charlie Foulkes and Steffan Prytherch were taking control of the midfield and you felt an equaliser was coming. When we did draw level it was a goal worth waiting for - Will Fry executing a beautifully struck shot from the edge of the box - claiming his first goal for the club - and well deserved it was.

We now were bossing the game, but still Whitchurch's bigger players were giving us a real rough ride and were counter attacking with real menace.

Just before half time we took the lead - great work from Callum Patten from left back - as he took control of the ball, Whitchurch backed off, so he kept going, cut inside and sent a lovely through ball for Daniel Swabey. Swabes made no mistake as the keeper came out, stroking the ball into the right of the net.

2-1 at half time and we knew we were in a game. The second half was much the same as the first. We were playing well, but Whitchurch were bullying us and looking dangerous when counter attacking. Both sides missed chances and we really were hanging on in the last 5 mins, with keeper Bradley Preece giving his bravest performance of the season - diving at strikers' feet and claiming high balls under pressure.

We hung on and came away with our hardest earned three points of the season.

Special mentions:

All of you boys! you showed great heart coming from behind and battled against a really physical - and at times cynical - Whitchurch side. I hope you now see that our small size can be unimportant if you keep playing your football and give 100%.