U14 Dynamos hold on!

The first job on what was definitely the coldest morning of the season so far was to help defrost the pitch! The ref was concerned but after 20 minutes of warming up on it we managed to get a surface soft enough to safely continue.

Marlow were clearly pumped and ready for a good game. We had beaten them 6-1 in the cup earlier in the season but they were on a good run and had some in form players.

The first 10 minutes was pretty evenly balanced. Most of their play was coming down the right wing and Bob was called into action quite early to pull off a good save. Another shot a few minutes later put into the side netting by their winger.
After that they didn't create much and we had most of the ball. Both Finn and Harry getting good opportunities to put us ahead but their keeper was in form and made saves from every effort. We moved the ball well through midfield with Rhys and George both linking in well with Josh and Charlie W. Also, Kaiden, Jacob and Charlie F at the back passing the ball well.
We looked quite comfortable but couldn't make the breakthrough.
Ted had a decent run down the right which led to a corner. Josh put the ball in deep towards the far post but no one managed to connect. Kyle following up with a low cross which Harry connected with but their keeper was once again there. We were getting closer and Finn was brought down on the edge of the area. VAR would have said a penalty but the ref who was 40 yards behind play gave a free kick. Harry stepped up but couldn't clear the wall that was only 7 yards away.
Eventually, Kaiden pushed the ball through to Finn. Finn spun, went on a little run into the box. Harry peeled off his man which created space for Finn to tuck the ball to the keepers left to make it 0 - 1.

Half time

The second half was much the same for the first 20 minutes. We continued to move the ball well and created good chances through Finn and Harry but it just wouldn't go in. Jacob had a free kick go slightly past the post, Kyle was an inch from the top corner. Josh put in a series of corners that we just couldn't bury. Harry was taken out by their keeper for what was clearly a penalty but with the absence of VAR.....it wasn't given.

That 20 minutes was looking like it was going to cost us. Marlow stepped up and began to dominate. All of a sudden they were quicker, stronger and they wanted it more. They were moving the ball well all over the pitch and had some good attacks down both wings. They had a few corners which Bob plucked out of the air well.
We had limited them to a few long shots, most of which went over the bar but we were definitely under pressure.
For the last few minutes Finn dropped and we had a 4-5-1 formation. Marlow were pressing us which actually gave Harry more space and in the last few minutes could have had a few goals but it still wouldn't go in. Both Kyle and Josh found themselves in more space on the wings. Marlow had left them and quick distribution from Bob set them off. This led to more chances on goal but still we could not score. Charlie W was pushing down the wing also. The game became very open and end to end.
After a good half of football with no injuries we were still playing after 4 minutes additional time. The ref was loving it so much he didn't want it to end but eventually after 4 minutes and 38 seconds extra time he blew the final whistle.

The team need to work harder next week and the goals will come.
An exciting game which was full of everything you get in Sunday league football and most importantly three more points.

Goals - Finn

MOM for getting himself in so many goal scoring positions - Harry