Whitegrove Buccaneers 1 – 4 Binfield – 14th Dec 07 - League

We were lucky the ground wasn’t frozen, the air certainly felt like it was.  The pitch was a bit heathy and moorlike, quite wide, with a good covering of grass in a bit of a bleak setting – I wouldn’t have been surprised to see the Hound of the Baskervilles out for his morning walk!
  
The game started with some good midfield exchanges and use of the extra width of the pitch, Binfield soon putting the Whitegrove defence and goalkeeper to the test, and finding they were very much up for the game, battling well, tackling and clearing the ball with great commitment and spirit.  On the attack, Whitegrove had one plan – get it to the number 9, with the ball at his feet, he tested the Binfield defence with his skill and speed, on a few occasions, getting through to test Matthew with some choice shoots and near misses.  One such break had the desired effect and he raced clear to score with a well-taken shot.  1-0 to Whitegrove.  “Don’t let them in” went up a shout from Whitegrove, and that’s what they tried to do.
  
Binfield carried on with the lion’s share of the possession and pressured for an equaliser, frequently thwarted by the steadfast Whitegrove defence and goalkeeper.  Just when it looked like Whitegrove would reach half-time battered, but in the lead, Michael powered through to chip the keeper for the equaliser.  Half-time 1-1.
  
The second half was a lot more one-sided with Binfield camped in the Whitegrove half, laying siege to their goal.  Jacob was soon put through to slot home for 2-1 and in a similar move made it 3-1.  A passing move on the right then released Nathan to blast in the roof of the goal with a net-burster for 4-1.  Binfield finished the game strongly, creating many chances.  A strong and organised Binfield defence kept Whitegrove at bay, as they were unable to break through and stay on-side.
  
Whitegrove Buccaneers worked well as a team and certainly made it difficult for Binfield to play, they look like a team that should be winning more games and we wish them well for the second half of the season. 
  
Man of the Match: This week Oliver gets the award with some great defending; blocking, jockeying, clearing the ball well, and stifling every Whitegrove attack down the right.  Well-done Oliver.
  
Team: Lewis, Alexander, Matthew, Nathan, Ben F, Lordy, Chris, Ben W, Dev, Daniel, Michael, Oliver, James, Mark and Jacob.
  
Another comfortable win to round off an incredible first half to the season, unbeaten and almost a perfect record, top of the league.  I think I can speak for all the parents when I say it has been a pleasure to watch you play, achieving so much and developing individual skills as well as into an outstanding team.  Well done and we’ll look to the second half of the season.