AVDFC U18's 2-1 Haddenham Youth U18

AVDFC U18’s 2-1 Haddenham Youth

Team: Kian; Matt, Owen, Khori, Luca; Gabriel, Conor, Jonny, Alfie, George, Dylan, Akmel, Muhammed, Kai; Kyle

After the cup win last week, we knew this match would be completely different…and it was. Iain and Damian asked Kian to go in goal as Jonathan was injured from last week.
It was also nice to welcome Muhammed back into the squad for his first match this season.

Haddenham started the match the strongest and some early defending from Khori set the tone. This was not an easy game and Haddenham looked strong.
5 minutes played and Haddenham had a decent chance hitting their shot over the bar. A few minutes later and another chance, this time Kian making a decent save.
After 20 minutes Owen won the ball on the right side, but was fouled and within a few minutes had to be replaced by Muhammed so he could treat the pain.

A few minutes later, Dynamos won possession and the ball was fed through to Jonny who worked himself into the penalty box and was taken down. A few screams of penalty and the referee agreed. Current penalty taker, Dylan, stepped up and coolly slotted the ball to his left, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-0 Dynamos.

Right on the half hour mark Haddenham thought they were level. A well worked move saw their striker through but Kian somehow managed to make a point blank save and concede the corner. The corner was cleared by Luca and Kai cleared the ball.

A few minutes before the break Haddenham managed to score the equaliser. Their player seemed to run around a few Dynamos half-hearted attempts to tackle and was in front of goal to score past the helpless Kian. 1-1.
Dynamos then had their own half chance with Kai playing the ball into George and he found Kyle in some space. His shot went over.

There was still time for more drama. A Haddenham corner was crossed in and Muhammed pushed their player in the back and the referee spotted it, awarding Haddenham a penalty.
It was all down to Kian…and he came up trumps, guessing the right way and making an absolutely superb save from the penalty. Wow…!!!

Half time: Dynamos 1-1 Haddenham

After some truths from Damian at half time, he demanded more effort from the boys. However, Haddenham were out on the front foot again forcing Kian into an early save.
52 minutes and still Haddenham pushed forward, a quick break was thwarted by Gabriel who managed to get a great tackle in when needed.
Kyle was having a quiet game by his standards, but George picked him out and he ran past his marker and hit an effort into the side netting. Close chance.

Dynamos were starting to gain the upper hand and Khori, now operating on the left side with Conor in the middle of defence, won the ball and rode two tackles as he moved forward. Playing a 1-2 with Muhammed, he managed to get a shot away but was blocked by Haddenham player.
65 minutes and Dynamos got the important next goal. Gabriel won the ball in midfield and the ball fell to Dylan. He sidestepped his man and played the ball through to Kyle who did what he does best, and smashed the ball past the keeper into the bottom corner. 2-1 Dynamos.

A few minutes later Kyle turned provider as he controlled a long ball out from Luca and played Akmel in through on goal but his shot went just wide.
Quarter of an hour remaining and Muhammed was fouled on the right wing. Jonny stepped up and curled his cross onto Alfie’s head, but the ball went wide.

Less than 10 minutes left and a headed clearance from Conor was controlled by Jonny and he sent the ball over the top to Kyle who outpaced his marker and hit a decent effort which the keeper saved well.
Haddenham could only produce one more half chance but Owen was equal to the pressure from his marker and defended superbly, clearing the ball up the line.

Final score: Dynamos 2-1 Haddenham

It was great to get our first League victory of the campaign, but we made hard work of it. Lets concentrate on the positives…The back line looked solid at the back with Luca and particularly Khori having a great game in defence.
Kyle always looked a threat up front and Alfie had good match in the middle of the park.
Final mention MUST go to Kian. What a performance today. He made a string of decent saves, his kicking was decent…and of course what a penalty save. Top marks Mr McMillan !!!!