Byron on target for in-form Panthers

Melbourn Dynamos Panthers 4

Buntingford Cougars U-11 1

WITH influential captain Nathan Henry missing through injury and a caretaker manager in charge for the first time, Panthers would have been forgiven if the performance had been below par however they used the adversity as motivation and deservedly won an enjoyable encounter.

Stand-in captain Byron Lawrence was inspirational and the architect of most of Dynamo's attacking play.

Cougars almost opened the scoring early on when a through ball caught out the Melbourn defence but the striker narrowly missed the target and Lawrence made them pay when he weaved some magic on the edge of the area and unleashed a shot which the visiting keeper could not control.

Panthers continued to pin back Cougars and the second came when Toby Jackson cut down the right, crossed to Lawrence who found Patrick Hopper on the edge of the area and he calmly stroked the ball into the far corner.

Buntingford were soaking up pressure but looking dangerous on the break and they scored a stunning goal with intelligent play resulting in a 25 yard curler into the top corner.

Melbourn restored their two goal cushion when Jack Richardson followed in yet another Lawrence effort and slid the rebound across the goal and into the net.

The second half was fairly even and Panthers fourth almost came when Craig Stalker did well to control a long ball out from defence and found Sam Webb who flashed a cross into the box but it was narrowly missed by the onrushing attackers.

Fittingly, it was Lawrence who wrapped things up with an exquisite chip from just outside the area that had the visiting keeper grasping thin air.

Panthers goalkeeper, Nick Thompson, who showed flawless handling throughout the game, almost stole the show right at the end by saving a Buntingford penalty low to his left, his second penalty save in three matches.