Non-League and Academy football writer

Pitshanger Dynamo faced PFC Victoria London at The Robert Parker Stadium (the game was switched to the ground in which PFC Victoria London play their home matches at), in what was a very important Middlesex County Football League Premier Division fixture. Both teams are vying for the league title this season, with Pitshanger Dynamo in third place in the league, and PFC Victoria London in second place in the league. This was a really competitive and good quality game of football, in which PFC Victoria London got all three points from, winning the match 1-0. The first chance of this match on a cold night in Ashford, came the way of Pitshanger Dynamo, just after ten minutes into the game. Their captain Josh Norris delivered a good corner kick into the PFC Victoria London penalty area, with Luke Wretham sending a good looping headed effort just over the goal. Soon after that chance for Pitshanger, PFC Victoria London took the lead in the game, from the first real chance that they’d created. The impressive Oskar Dari’s lofted pass to Kamil Zielinski, saw him get onto the ball in behind the Pitshanger defence, on the right-hand side of their penalty area. Kamil Zielinski’s powerful and well taken resulting effort found the bottom left-hand corner of the goal, 0-1.

There was a really good early intensity to the match, with both sides looking to take control of the game. Shortly after Pitshanger player George Isaac had a low effort from the edge of the PFC Victoria box, which was saved by goalkeeper Milan Czerwonka, Oskar Dari would get a decent effort away from just over 20 yards out from the Pitshanger goal, but it ended up going over. Oskar Dari was looking to get on the ball at every opportunity, to try and influence the game in the final third for PFC Victoria London. Their number ten would work Pitshanger goalkeeper Dave Jones, who pushed away his powerful effort from 20 yards out, before captain Jakub Malczuk hit an effort over the goal on the follow-up. Pitshanger Dynamo were trying to get control of the game, but they had been slightly rushing their passing as a result of the PFC Victoria press. After Oskar Dari had hit a low effort wide of the Pitshanger goal from distance, a long throw-in into the Pitshanger box from the left flank by Jakub Malczuk, caused some problems for the Pitshanger defence. Arkadiusz Wilk managed to get to the ball inside the box, and at the second attempt he hit a good volleyed effort on the goal, which was well pushed away by Dave Jones.

Late on in the first half of the match Hussein Manea would deliver a good cross into the PFC Victoria London penalty area, which Milan Czerwonka managed to get a hand to, before George Isaac then hit an effort wide of the goal, after getting to the ball. During the early stages of the second half Pitshanger Dynamo started to play their football with more effect. A great surging forward run from Zico Macauley ended with the Pitshanger player slipping a good short pass into the feet of the league’s top scorer Bilal Butt, who was through on goal inside the PFC Victoria penalty area. However, the tall centre-forward would see his low effort well saved by goalkeeper Milan Czerwonka, who had rushed out to close down his angles well. Shortly after that chance Zico Macauley would hit an effort over the PFC Victoria goal, from a difficult angle inside their penalty area. Despite Pitshanger’s impressive start to the second half, PFC Victoria London came close to doubling their lead soon after. As a sloppy pass across the Pitshanger defence was latched onto by Oskar Dari, who brought the ball towards their penalty area, before seeing his powerful effort on goal well kept out by Dave Jones in the Pitshanger goal.

Following Bilal Butt’s short pass to Zico Macauley on the edge of the PFC Victoria box, Macauley would hit an effort wide of the PFC Victoria goal, before the assertive Milan Czerwonka did well to gather the ball at the feet of the onrushing Josh Norris inside the box. PFC Victoria were managing the game well during the second half, and they were well organised defensively, but Pitshanger Dynamo’s good pressing was also impressive. Oliver Henery would find himself with the ball through on goal on the right-hand side of the PFC Victoria penalty area, but once again Milan Czerwonka did well, gathering his effort on goal. As this fine game came towards its end, there was to be more chances and drama. Shortly after Bilal Butt’s low free-kick effort from the edge of the PFC Victoria box had been held by Milan Czerwonka, Kamil Zielinski would hit an effort over the Pitshanger goal from a tight angle, inside their box, following some good skill. However, there was to be real drama in the final moments of the match, after Pitshanger had won a very late corner kick. The ball was delivered well, into the PFC Victoria box, and it found of all the players Pitshanger goalkeeper Dave Jones, who had traveled the length of the pitch to bolster Pitshanger’s numbers inside the box. Jones’ headed effort wasn’t kept out by Milan Czerwonka, with the ball crossing the goal-line, but the referee ruled the goal out for a foul inside the box. 

This could prove to be a crucial win for PFC Victoria London in their promotion push, but it has of course lessened Pitshanger Dynamo’s chances of winning the league this season. This was a really competitive game with a lot on the line for both sides. Pitshanger will be happy with how they played in the second half, given the amount of chances that they created. However, PFC Victoria London defended their goal resolutely, with players such as captain Jakub Malczuk and Jakub Matwiejszyn just some of their defensive players who defended really well against players of the quality of Bilal Butt. Oskar Dari also had a fine game going forward, providing the winning assist from the number ten role, and of course the goalscorer Kamil Zielinski, did well. However, for me it was the PFC Victoria London goalkeeper Milan Czerwonka, who was my player of the match. The 16 year old goalkeeper made some important saves against Pitshanger, but he also made some very important decisions. He was assertive in the PFC Victoria goal, claiming the ball well from set-pieces, and also gathering the ball well from the feet of the forwards, on a couple of occasions.