Pinewood started the match in their customary 3-5-2, with Nathan in goal and James at centre back. The game started with plenty of endeavour, and some physical challenges from both sides. The pitch was cut and in good condition considering the recent rainfall, but most of the play was hectic, with little composure from either team. Pinewood tried to get the ball wide, but all too often it broke down. The first chance of the game fell to the opposition, from a corner the ball was played back across goal, coming off the cross bar to eventually be cleared.

The next chance fell to Jacob, who took a half volley on the bounce from about 15 yards out, to inexplicably cannon off one post, onto the other, without even hitting the ground! This sparked Pinewood into action, and the first goal arrived courtesy of a recycled corner, which fell to James in the right-wing position. He took a touch wide and from an acute angle drove a cross come shot towards the goal, which flew over the goalkeeper into the net. Unfortunately, the lead lasted less than a minute. Pinewood was caught in possession, running across goal from a deep right back position, and the were dispossessed, the ball fell kindly to a Hanworth player. Despite being 20 yards out, he took an opportunist shot which flew over Nathan, who was back peddling but unable to get a hand onto it. There was still time for Pinewood to have two good chances, both falling to Jaiden. The first was a shot from the penalty spot, which he didn’t quite catch and the keeper made a routine save. The second chance was perhaps the best move of the match. The ball was won by William and played to Tom (I believe), who drove forward and played a slide-rule pass into Jaiden’s path. He hardly had to break stride as he approached the keeper one on one, he took a shot which cannoned off the post to safety. Half-time 1-1, with Pinewood in the ascendancy.

The half-time team talk was focused on moving the ball quicker, and avoiding getting caught in possession. Omar had to come off with a back injury. The 2nd half I am reluctant to write too much about, it was perhaps the biggest contrast in performances in two halves this season. The game became a battle of attrition, with seemingly less focus on moving the ball quicker, and a tendency to panic under pressure. Pinewood struggled to get into the latter 3rd, often stuck in their own area, running into trouble. There was no shortage of battling, but certainly less composure. After some strong tackles, the tensions rose. Hanworth were able to make their margins count, and took the lead 1-2 with a great strike from distance, which Nathan had little chance with. The game opened up further as Pinewood sought a route back into the match and were once again caught out with a shot from distance, which Nathan managed to parry, but a simple tap-in was left to make it 1-3.

The result was a bitter disappointment, but that’s football, perhaps the biggest frustration was not making the dominance in the first half count. We move on.