Whitegrove Rangers 3 - 1 Binfield Torpedoes

10.15 kick off.  Saturday 26th Jan 2008.

Venue : Whitegrove.  League Match.

Conditions : Cold.  Pitch Heavy.

Attendance -  26.

Binfield Players : Adriano, Billy, Brandon, Jamie, Josh,  Louie, Michael, Seb.

A strange game from a Torpedoes perspective. Creating loads of chances, including a missed penalty in the 1st half, lots of corners and numerous goal mouth scrambles, but unable to turn their early dominance into goals ending the the first half 0-0.

When the Torpedoes did eventually score, instead of filling them with confidence they started to defend the slender lead and the passing game was replaced with clearing the ball straight back to the opposition. With ten minutes to go things started to go wrong.  Credit to Whitegrove, they defended extremely well and scored three quick goals that were all coolly finished off. The boys should not get deflated by this result, you get days like these, please remember how well we played against the league leaders in the previous match !! Apparently some of the boys were suffering  from the previous nights "Cub Fitness Challenge" ...... a letter of complaint to Akela is already in the post.

Goals -   Seb.

Man of the Match - Jamie - Could do nothing with the three goals conceded - But produced the "Save of the Season."

Pinewood Pumas 4 -  4 Binfield Torpedoes

9:00 am Kick off.  Saturday 05th January 2008.  

Venue : Pinewood,  League Match.

Conditions :  Cold Breezy, pitch firm 

Attendance : 24

Binfield Players : Adriano, Billy, Jamie,  Josh,  Louie,  Michael,  Seb, Steven

The Torpedoes may not be quite a strong enough team to win this league, but with performances like this against the current league leaders they will have a big say in who does eventually win it.

First Half.

The match started with some early pressure from Pinewood, and the Torpedoes were a little lucky not to concede an early goal. Once the ball had been changed to a 'Binfield' match ball, the team started to play some fantastic attacking football. Steven and Josh were at the heart of everything, winning the midfield battle, and setting up forward moves. Louie and especially Adriano were defending as though their lives depended on it. Steven and Josh combined well on the left, and as the ball broke across the area Michael's shot was well saved, Seb unfortunate not to score from the re-bound. Concerted pressure from the Torpedoes eventually led to Josh forcing the ball over the line for the opener. Pinewood responded almost immediately, a powerful long shot well saved by Jamie. However, Jamie could do nothing as a Pinewood shot seemed to be caught on the breeze and flew into the top corner. Not deflated in any way the boys carried on playing attacking football. Billy had a great run and shot at goal that stung the keeper's hands. Josh made a determined run down the left wing and sent over a fast dipping cross. Drifting into the area was Steven, who lost his marker, and powered his near post header across the goalkeeper and into the net for one of the best goals the Torpedoes have scored this season. The first half ended with the Torpedoes ahead.

Second Half.

The boys had fought so hard for the lead that it was very disappointing to concede an unfortunate equalizer, almost straight from the restart, a long shot was deflected past Jamie into the net. More demoralising play followed as the Pinewood forward planted another shot into the net, claims of hand ball waved away by the ref. Going behind for the first time in the match against the table topping team was going to be a "big ask" to get back into the game. What followed was a joy to witness as the Torpedoes powered forward with excellent crisp passing football. Adriano and Seb, now in defence, were solid, and cleared the ball up to a Torpedo midfield that was dynamic.  Michael, Billy and Josh fought for everything and Pinewood were under pressure. When Pinewood did break out Adriano's well timed tackles and Seb's positional play and covering kept them at bay. Steven was again everywhere, shooting at goal, forcing corners, unlucky not to score, and driving the whole team forward with his skill and vision. A quick throw in from Billy was hooked into the penalty area by Josh. Despite being marked by two players Louie was strong enough to control the ball, turn and shoot in one movement for a great strike to make it 3 - 3. Stunned by the Torpedoes' attacking play Pinewood seemed to be out of the game as Billy volleyed home a truly spectacular goal from Steven's cross to give the boys a deserved 4- 3 lead. Pinewood are not top of the league for nothing, and made a final effort. Jamie was unlucky not to hold onto a shot and the ball was bundled in from close range. A travesty of justice was averted as Jamie then made a sensational save at his near post in the closing seconds. After all their attacking play the boys had to settle for a draw.

After the match the Pinewood manager very sportingly admitted that the Pumas had "got out of jail" !  A brilliant game of football, played with great spirit...worth the early start ....... well played both teams.

Goals -  Josh, Steven, Louie, Billy.

Man of the Match -  Adriano - great defending and distribution of the ball from the back.