With a week off from the domestic league season, Davenham took advantage of an invitational friendly match versus Cheshire neighbours (and now friends), Malpas who came well recommended as a well supported, sporting team. It was a perfect days football which will be remembered for good weather, a great setting, sporting opposition, with an excellent coaching team; and a day where Davenham continued to utilise all squad members to work together and for each other, for the same team cause . Great team spirit has been the story so far and that will hopefully stand the boys in good stead for the rest of the season.
Davenham started brightly and took the game to a well disciplined Malpas, however it wasnt long before Kirkness went close with a half chance. The defence at Davenham is proving to be a real success and Whitney, Hill, Lonsdale and Forster proved invincible. Then after 20 minutes Heaword and Lonsdale linked up well, before Rogerson played an inch perfect pass into the path of Kennerley. The Dynamoes leading scorer sprinted beyond the opposition defence before lashing an accurate drive past the keeper and into the corner of the net. 1:0. However, Malpas hit back; Davenham were guilty of ball watching in the last third, and the opposition midfielder smashed an unstoppable 25 yarder which looped over Wallwork. 1:1. Minutes later Wallwork saved when exposed with a one on one to keep the gold and black men in the game. A superb corner from Burrows, found Kennerley who narrowly missed bagging a first half hatrick with a powerful header.
Unfortunately, Greenwood had to retire with an injury, which allowed Wadsworth to move into right midfield, where he made an immediate impact, with a defence splitting pass, which set up Kennerley for his second of the match. 2:1 to the Dynamoes. Antrobus added some muscle to the Davenham defence and as a result there were no further real chances for the remainder of the first half. Come the second half, the gold men upped the ante with Drinkwater adding pace and strength to the attack. The energetic superstar, had a goal disallowed, before Burrows played Drinkwater in with a second chance. Once more he thrashed an unstoppable shot into the back of the net. No offside this time and the Dynamoes were looking good for the win at 3:1. Danno the Wall Wallwork was still called upon to make two excellent saves. The Davenham stoppers handling, angles and movement off the line were first class all day!
Greenwood returned to the fold and played some beautiful passes down the right flank and was part of a flowing move, where Stitch demonstrated great footwork to play in Rogerson. Rogerson rounded the keeper with confidence to slot the Dynamoes fourth of the day. 4:1 to the Mid Cheshire maestros. Hill shored up the midfield allowing Davenham to hold onto an excellent win on a day when the type of football we played was more important than the score.
All in all, a good days football for Davenham and a huge thanks to Keith and the Malpas team for being perfect hosts, neighbour and friends good luck for the season, we hope to play again!
