Narrow loss for U14's Dynamos

U14's Dynamos 2-3 FC Cippenham

Team: Edward, Jay; Luca, George, Dorian, Taylor, Aiden; Kai, Charlie, Jake, Callum, Conor, Harley, Harry; Alfie

Lovely sunshine met the Dynamos this morning and an air of expectation in the crowd for a good performance. The team was largely the same with two changes to the squad with Owen away and Conor back from injury.
Cippenham looked a large side and they definitely started the brighter team, so much so that within 1 minute, they had taken the lead. A mix up in the defence and Edward was beaten with a shot into the far corner. 1-0 Cippenham.
Dynamos looked shell-shocked and 3 minutes Edward was called into action again as he burst off his line to clear the onrushing forward.
7 minutes and Dynamos created their first real chance, Callum played the ball over the defence for Kai to run onto, he cut inside and hit his shot inches wide of the mark.
Cippenham were employing a ball over the top tactic which was catching the Dynamos defence out, luckily Luca was on hand to match the pace of them and clear his lines on a number of occasions. When a cross did come in, George and Dorian were clearing their lines.
However, 16 minutes in and Cippenham had scored again...this time they broke the offside trap and sidefooted past a stranded Edward. 2-0 Cippenham.
Callum was busy in the middle and getting some great tackles in and Kai was marauding down the right wing and causing the Cippenham defence problems with his speed. Another chance fell to Kai, this time Charlie won the ball and set Kai off towards goal, again, he cut inside and again he just missed the target...it was coming...!
Cippenham looked like they might score again but last ditch defending from Aiden and Luca managed to clear the lines. Moments later it was Harley and Conor that worked it clear on the left. This time Harry picked the ball up and set Alfie running. His first time effort was wide of the mark. Half time 2-0 Cippenham.

The second half started like the first with Cippenham on the break and this time George got a vital toe in and the ball fell to Aiden, he cleared to Harry and his ball over narrowly missed Alfie as he ran through.
46 minutes and Dynamos got the breakthrough. Harley was battling down the left and shielded the ball long enough to find Callum in the middle, his quick allowed him to send the ball over to Alfie who was through, and he sidestepped a tackle and beat the keeper to make it 2-1 Cippenham.
Dynamos were now in control of the ball and moments later, Luca won the ball and sent it long into the opposition half where Callum controlled it and managed to squeeze in a great cross. Alfie was on hand to bring it down, swivel and smash it past the keeper. 2-2 !!!
It was now one way traffic and another move saw Taylor and Charlie combine to set Harley off and his cross was well cleared just as Kai was looking to unleash a shot.
The waves of attack kept coming and next some great feet from Conor in the middle, gave himself time to play in Kai over the top. Kai ran to the line and crossed the ball where Harry couldn't get his shot away. The ball bobbled between Jake and Charlie but Cippenham cleared the danger.
55 minutes and cross from Callum hit the defender on the arm and a penalty was awarded. Luca stepped up and hit a firm shot to the keepers right but he got a firm hand and saved it well. Still 2-2.
Dynamos were still playing good football and Conor and Kai combined down the right but Kai's shot was well saved.
At the other end, Luca was still taking no prisoners as he slid in to thwart a strike on goal. The resulting corner was headed clear by Dorian but it landed with Cippenham and their player forced a save as Edward scrambled across his goal. The next corner saw Taylor get a great head just before their striker connected. Suddenly it was Cippenham looking for the winner.
67 minutes and a cruel blow to Dynamos, the ball through the middle worked again and some nice feet and clean shot beat Edward to make it 3-2 Cippenham.
Dynamos were still after another goal and Callum found Alfie who had drifted out, his cross saw Kai on his on in the middle...he was 3 yards from the goal...it went over the keeper....here it was...!?!? Kai managed to hit the tree behind the goal. Very unlucky and Dynamos almost got the draw they so deserved...! Final score Dynamos 2-3 Cippenham.

It was a great end to end game, and some good performances on the pitch. Callum was everywhere today and getting his tackles in, using his pace. Luca was yet again cleaning up in defence and the opposition commented on how good he was, shame about the penalty. Conor was back and had a great game in defence/middle...great skill too...! Harley was battling all game on the left and was somewhat isolated on occasions but kept going. Taylor was called upon in the latter part of the game and his energy and dogged determination kept Cippenham at bay. Kai was a handful all match and will be disappointed not to have scored. Final mention was Alfie up front who was a constant menace and banged in another 2 goals today. We go again, we are the Dynamos !!!