Leverstock Green 1-1 AVDFC (5-3 Pens)

Team: James Weatherill; Luke Nugent, Alex Mitchell, Gabby Adelowo, Terry Griffiths; Roy Byron, Alfi Touceda, Joe Chott, Jake Baldwin; Brian Haule, Montel Brown

Subs: Andrew Ofosu, Aaron Berry, Dave Brown, Paolo Bagatti, Callum Shortt

The League Cup was a welcome break from the run of League matches and a chance for Steve Bateman to start a few players and run his eye over them. Gabby Adelowo and Joe Chott both making their first appearance in the starting line up. Roy Byon, Montel Brown and Alex Mitchell were all in from the start as well.

The first few minutes saw both teams start tentatively but the first meaningful attack ended up with Dynamos taking an early lead. Montel Brown won a corner and Jake Baldwin swung the ball into the mix where Brian Haule rose the highest and planted his header in the back of the net. 0-1 Dynamos. On 14 minutes, Leverstock were looking threatening but their right winger was not getting much joy from Alex Mitchell who was tackling well, supported by Gabby Adewolo next to him.

A few minutes later and Roy Byron picked up a loose pass and played in Alfi Touceda, his shot was just deflected wide for a corner. Jake Baldwin again swung the corner in but this time Leverstock managed to clear their lines before Gabby Adewolo could head in. Leverstock had also made a few changes and their left winger almost levelled the score as he raced down the line, cut in and hit a decent shot which James Weatherill saved low to his left. Just over half an hour and the goalmouth action was few and far between, but Leverstock had another half chance which was hit over the bar.

With 10 minutes remaining James Weatherill surprised the opposition with a long ball over the top to Brian Haule, he controlled brilliantly and hit a first time shot just wide of the mark. The Dynamos thought they had 2 goals with a couple of minutes of the half left. Joe Chott controlled Alfi Toucedas decent pass and raced clear of his marker. He hit a low cross to Montel Brown and he sidestepped his opponent and curled his effort past the keeper and rattled the post. So unlucky!

[b]Half Time: Leverstock Green 0-1 Dynamos[/b]

Within 5 minutes of the second half, Montel Brown was sent through by Alfi Touceda but this time he failed to connect.
At the other end it was Leverstock who nearly scored. A good move saw them cut inside and their strikers shot clipped the post and went wide. Lucky escape for Dynamos. A couple of late challenges from Jake Baldwin and Alfi Touceda, saw both players receive a yellow card within a minute of each other as Leverstock pushed forward.

65 minutes and another Leverstock attack saw Brian Haule race back and win a crunching tackle, but the ball bobbled to their player who hit a decent effort inches wide of the Dynamos post. Moments later Joe Chott, again beat his marker and this time his cross was controlled by Roy Byron on the edge of the area and his shot was well blocked for a corner. The corner was met by Terry Griffiths but went harmlessly wide.
First sub for Dynamos saw Jake Baldwin replaced by debutant, Andrew Ofosu. Within a few seconds of the substitution, Leverstock were back level from a corner which was headed in from close range.1-1.

15 minutes until a potential penalty shoot-out, both teams threw caution to the wind and went for the winner. Gabby Adewolo went on a run out of defence and hit a lovely pass to Brian Haule who flicked it to Montel Brown, his first time effort was well saved by Leverstock keeper.
82 minutes and a ball out from Luke Nugent found Roy Byron free and his deft header was straight into the path of Joe Chott who had his shot well saved. Alfi Touceda then also had a chance as he collected a ball inside from the lively Joe Chott but his effort was curled over the keeper but over the bar as well. A minute later and Montel Brown found space on the right and played a superb ball through to Andrew Ofosu who steadied himself and hit a rocket which went just over the bar.

Aaron Berry and Dave Brown were introduced in the final few minutes, replacing Montel Brown and Alfi Touceda as the match looked like penalties. In the second minute of injury time Leverstock had the opportunity to seal the victory as their nippy winger ran clean through into the box but James Weatherill made a fantastic point blank save to force a corner. The corner was headed on target but James Weatherill managed to grab hold at the second attempt…great save again….a penalty shoot out would decide this cup tie.

Dave Brown and Terry Griffiths both stepped up and equalised two penalties from Leverstock, making it 2-2. Andrew Ofosu then had his spot kick saved after Leverstock scored their 3rd. 3-2. Leverstock then scored their 4th. 4-2. Brian Haule stepped up to keep Dynamos in it with a calm penalty into the bottom corner however Leverstock scored their 5th and won 5-3 on penalties.