Berkhamsted U18 2-4 AVDFC U18

Team: Peter Letts-Prendergast; Owen Broughton, Ellis Knight, Seth Rowley, Kenzo Konate; Abdullah Jellal, Sam Hughes, Max Mayer, Owen Magorokosho, TJ Gibson; Kyle Lawrence

Subs: Kai Borrett, Jayden Bunce, Ameer Aslam, Harrison Goodby, Chris Booth

After 2 victories on the bounce Dynamos faced a useful Berkhamsted side as they attempted to make it 3 from 3.
Within 3 minutes, captain, Kenzo had picked up a harsh Yellow Card for a handball and that meant a disciplined performance would be needed now.
With just over 10 minutes on the clock Owen Mag got past his marker and delivered a decent cross which just eluded TJ coming in at the back post. It was a positive start for Dynamos.
Quarter of an hour gone and a great long ball from Owen B found Max with room to deliver a cross however, her was shut down quickly and the cross was blocked. The throw was cleared by Berko.
18 minutes and the breakthrough. Dynamos worked a quick corner as Kyle played the ball to Abdullah and he played it back to Kyle who roasted the defender, raced into the box and beat the keeper...was there a deflection?...not sure, so credited to Kyle. 0-1 Dynamos.

21 minutes and Kyle nearly got his second. He picked up a ball out from Sam and raced away down the right wing, cut inside and unleashed a decent effort which the keeper got a touch, but needed a defender to clear off the line.
23 minutes and a lapse in concentration from Peter allows the attacker to steal the ball from him and tap into an unguarded net. 1-1.

A couple of minutes before the half hour mark and Dynamos restored their lead. Abdullah swung in a decent corner to the front post, TJ flicked it on and Kenzo was there to calmly smash the ball home from 4 yards out. 1-2 Dynamos.

37 minutes and another decent move saw Seth play the ball out wide to TJ and he sent a lovely cross field pass out to Owen Mag on the left side. He controlled and passed inside to Max who hit a decent effort on target, but the keeper saved well.
Just before half time Abdullah was the architect again as he found Kyle in space. He got a shot away which the keeper saved. Kyle was causing the Berko defence so many problems this half.

Just as the half time whistle was about to be blown, Berko showed why they are a decent team, playing nice football and their shot was well saved by Peter to keep Dynamos in front at the break.

Half time: Berkhamsted 1-2 AVDFC

Chris and Damo, stepping in for Colin, demanded a fast start to the second half...and that is exactly what they got. Within 30 seconds of the re-start Dynamos had scored again. Max sending the ball wide to TJ who beat his marker and sent in a low cross which Kyle got to first and smashed the ball home from 10 yards out. Great goal!! 1-3 Dynamos.

55 minutes and Max, who was enjoying a decent match, played in TJ and his shot was parried out for a corner. Abdullah sent the ball in and Seth rose the highest, but sent it over the bar.

Right on the hour mark, Dynamos had a chance to make it 4. Max collected Ellis's ball down the left wing, beat his marker and got into the box where he was taken down. PENALTY !! The ball was given to Kyle to complete his hat-trick and he smashed an unbeatable shot past the keeper. 1-4 Dynamos.

If Dynamos thought the game was over...Berko had other ideas. They rallied very well and a few minutes later managed to get a shot which Peter got fingertips to and it hit the post. Luckily Ellis was on hand to clear his lines and Sam Hughes completed the clearance.
67 minutes and Kenzo was down with an injury. Kai Borrett came on to replace him going to right back, Owen B shuffled over to left back and Ellis was in the middle.
A few minutes later Harrison and Ameer came on to replace Hat-trick hero, Kyle and Owen Mag.

Berko were now having the majority of possession and they made it pay with a great effort from 25 yards out sneaking in the far post. 2-4 Dynamos.
With less than 10 minutes left Berko were applying a lot of pressure, but the back four held firm with Seth marshalling the defence well and they were all getting tackles in and clearing their lines.

90 minutes and Dynamos broke forward, the ball with TJ who was still full of running, beating his man and through on goal but was rugby tackled to the ground in which many thought was a clear red card. Referee explained he didn't think TJ was in full control of the ball and brandished a yellow card for the offender.
TJ took the free kick himself and the ball got a slight deflection taking it inches wide.

There was still time for Abdullah and a Berko player to get Yellow cards for a fracas and also a Berko free kick which fizzed just over Peter's crossbar.
The final action, in the 95th minute saw TJ almost get his goal as he beat the last player and curled an effort round the keeper but it his the post and was collected by the keeper.

Final Score: Berkhamsted 2-4 Dynamos