Manuden 2 Melbourn Dynamos Panthers 6 Under-11s Division Three IT was a double celebration for George Storey as he hit a hat-trick to send Panthers three points clear at the top of Division Three in a highly charged match. The goal also signalled a histor

Manuden 2 Melbourn Dynamos Panthers 6

Under-11s Division Three

IT was a double celebration for George Storey as he hit a hat-trick to send Panthers three points clear at the top of Division Three in a highly charged match.

The goal also signalled a historic milestone as it was Storey's 100th goal for Melbourn in just over three years.

The match itself started at a blistering pace after Melbourn won the toss and decided to play uphill in the first half.

Within the first minute storey could have opened his account but his excellent strike somehow failed to go in.

Melbourn continued to move the ball around with confidence and it was no surprise with five minutes on the clock when Tommy Hollway scored for the fourth consecutive game to give Panthers a well deserved lead.

Manuden came back strongly with good runs through the centre of midfield but Andrew Houghton and Jordan Mills defended sensibly to minimise the threat.

At the other end Sam Austin and Luke Eades created two clear cut openings, the second of which saw Storey's effort come back off the post.

With 13 minutes gone the Manuden midfield broke up a Melbourn attack and finished well after a mazy run to make it 1-1.

Melbourn responded immediately forcing several corners, most of these somehow evaded players from both sides.

Undeterred, the Panthers continued to surge forward and took the lead for a second time on 17 minutes when quick thinking Storey lobbed the ball forward for Austin to run onto and despite being under pressure Austin hit an unstoppable low shot into the opposite corner for 2-1 to Melbourn.

A minute later Josh Hutton could have made it 3-1 after a well controlled shot from 20 yards was just saved by the Manuden keeper.

To their credit Manuden never dropped their heads and equalised again on 24 minutes with a powerful header from a corner.

Not to be out done Melbourn took the lead again on 27 minutes as Storey latched onto a throw in, dribbled around two challenges and unleashed a quality strike giving the keeper no chance.

Two minutes later it was 4-2 as Storey again showed what a clinical finisher he is.

The first 10 minutes of the second half were crucial as Melbourn again took control forcing the play downhill in the Manuden half.

Indeed on 31 minutes the hard working Austin scored his second of the game with a well controlled header to make it 5-2.

Melbourn continued to push forward and it was no surprise when Storey hit his third on 40 minutes after a typical run.

With both sides having given everything it was no surprise that there were no more goals in the final 20 minutes.

All the players left the field exhausted after an end to end encounter.