With many players (Kennerley, Hill, Drinkwater, Forster, Heawood, Wallwork) granted extended leave following a gruelling summer campaign, Davenham were invited to Grappenhall for the 1st of their pre season games.
With only seconds gone, and a number of the spectators still finding their position on the touchline, Kirkness lobbed an audacious effort from 35 yards which carried beyond the stranded keeper. 1:0 to the Davenhamers. No celebration from the goldmen as professionally they took up their position for the restart. Davenham had the bit between their teeth from the start, and Hodnett typified the Davenham play with pacey play and unselfish passing. Davenham sensed that there were goals in the game, and a crunching tackle from Wadsworth certainly got the Davenham faithful on their feet, as Kirkness crashed in a beauty from 30 yards into the top corner. Gooaaall! Only for the referee to pull back play for the Wadsworth tackle. Further half chances fell for Davenham as Shaw, Wadsworth, Whitney and Hodnett all went close; as did Matty Dufty who rattled the crossbar with a beauty. Both Dufty and Hodnett continued to taunt the Grappenhall defence before a nice freekick from Whitney set up the lively Kirkness for his second. 2:0. At this point, Davenham were well on top with Shaw and Kirkness dominating the central midfield. Shaw providing the neat distribution while Kirkness provided the crunching tackles. It was just reward as another Hodnett cross was met by Kirkness, ahead of Sammy Vidic. Goal number 3 for the Hitman! 3:0 and Davenham were cruising. Unlucky not to score earlier, the excellent Dufty added a quick brace (one courtesy of a route one pass from Greenwood) to help Davenham into a swift 5:0 lead. The Davenham defence of Antrobus, Stitch, Wadsworth, Lonsdale and Burrows , marshalled by a very competent Greenwood stood strong and denied Grappenhall any first half chances. Late on, good play from Rogerson down the left flank was rewarded as Ashbrook created space for himself and thumped home the sixth first half goal for Davenham. 6:0 and half time.
At half time, the message to Davenham was to encourage the boys to keep their shape to keep a clean sheet, be patient and keep the outstanding pass and move football going and to respect the opposition by playing to their potential.
To their credit, Grappenhall came out resurgent in the second half as the football game became more of a battle. They hit the bar themselves and forced an outstanding save from Greenwood, before Whitney bustled through the home teams defence to convert a seventh. 7:0. The game fizzled out a little in the last 20 minutes, which was disrupted a little as the Davenham Manager rotated through the subs. However, Ashbrook, Whitney and Hodnett kept the travelling army entertained with their technical attacking play. Wadsworth went close with two curling shots from range before the game finished 7:0 to the Davenhamers.
Interviewed after the game, Wadsworth commented favourably on the game and the first half display particularly. With so many players unavailable, it was a good test for the squad, which they came through with flying colours. I thought that Kirkness and Dufty were outstanding and Greenwood too had a quality game! For the first pre season game it was very satisfactory, with opportunity to do even better next week.
Credit to Grappenhall, especially their no. 10 who played a spirited game and likewise well done to the referee who had a very good game indeed.
Next week the Goldmen travel to Mid Cheshire newcomers, Helsby, which gives the Gaffer a few days to select the team for pre season game no. 2.
