What a weekend!?! 24 hours before their league encounter, the Davenham hotshots relaxed away from the Moss Farm arena at the first of the seasons team building days, by taking in a spot of Formula One Karting followed by R&R at Waterworld.
Revved up from the previous day, the Gold and Black men cemented their pole position with a comprehensive 4:0 victory.
Despite their confidence, it was a shakey start for Davenham as Grappenhall looked to play counter attacking football, breaking in numbers. Louie Hamilton-Greenwood covered the goal well to ensure his goalline wasnt breeched, before Wadsworth set up Rogerson who narrowly missed with a well struck drive. Lonsdale made a positive contribution down the left flank and Kennerly had three (yes three!) penalty claims denied as Davenham started to apply further pressure in the Grappenhall last third. The hitman reacted quickest to a goalmouth scramble and volleyed a superb opener into the roof of the net. He gets the ball, he scores a goal Harrison Kirkness! came the cheer from the touchline - thats a goal in every league game for the superb Kirkness, whos early season form has been quite breathtaking. Although always looking dangerous, Davenham struggled to play the pass and move football, which has become their football trademark. Whitney started to dominate in midfield, 2-stroking the ball around, before another excellent defence splitting pass from Wadsworth found Heawood in space. The little magician Disco, danced past his marker before curling the ball around the keeper. Absolute class and Dynamoes now led 2:0. With the early match nerves eased, the midfield quartet of Heawood, Wadsworth, Kirkness and Whitney (james) hunted down every loose ball; it seemed that there was no way back for the plucky Grappenhall. A further assist from Wadsworth as Stitch punished the opposition, with a well taken third goal. 3:0. This was quickly followed by a superbly struck free kick from Whitney and then inevitably the fourth goal as the speedy Rogerson sprinted beyond the defence to slot a goal underneath the Grappenhall Keeper. Grappenhall rarely threatened and when they did Hamilton-Greenwood marshalled his defensive line effectively. HT 4:0. Play with composure and confidence, keep the ball on the floor and lets keep that clean sheet was the message from the management and the boys did not disappoint. Drinkwater provided great quality on the ball and was desperately unlucky when a fierce shot flew inches over (and didnt stop rising until it hit Barnton Hill!). Now playing a 4-4-2, Antrobus, Hill, Forster and Burrows remained solid at the back, with Hill stepping up to put Grappenhall under pressure from the deadball, while Antrobus played like a young Alan Hanson, bringing the ball from the back and distributing wisely. There was further excitement as Kennerley left the opposition in his slipstream, zooming beyond the defence and rounding the keeper before being felled in the box. No penalty, but the focus was very soon on the injury to the Davenham talismanic No. 10. After extensive treatment the Davenham leading scorer rose to his feet, a little bruised. Shortly afterwards he had to retire from the game, however by this time the Davenham well oiled machine was cruising down the home straight, with the chequered flag in sight. A 4:0 win and the Davenham faithful hope that Grappenhall arent in the pits for too long as they definitely played their part in the game and supported well from the touchline. A comprehensive victory for Davenham and theres definitely more in the locker!Next week, Davenham travel to Malpas for an invitational friendly.
MOTM: Big Sam Antrobus (won every tackle and brought the ball out of defence superbly) (Drinkwater and Hamilton-Greenwood also highly recommended)
Assists: Wadsworth (2)
Clean Sheets: Hill, Lonsdale, Antrobus, Burrows, Whitney, Forster
