Seven-up Panthers march on in league cup

Letchworth GCE U-11 Orange 0

Melbourn Dynamos Panthers 7

PANTHERS progressed in the league cup despite a stubborn performance from hosts Letchworth.

The visitors exerted considerable pressure from the outset, with skipper Nathan Henry firing just wide early on, and had to wait just five minutes before Byron Lawrence opened the scoring with a left foot shot rifled in from just outside the penalty area.

Further good efforts by Lawrence and striker Jack Richardson produced great saves from the Letchworth keeper, but with Letchworth finding it hard to clear the ball from goal-kicks, the Panthers kept up the pressure and were finally rewarded when Lawrence pounced on the ball in midfield and found the back of the net again from just outside the area.

At this point Letchworth rallied, and despite some assured passing and good use of the width of the pitch, the Panthers were denied further goals by some more fine Letchworth goalkeeping.

Finally, just before half-time Jordan Hardwidge and Alex Martin linked up nicely on the right to provide Lawrence with a well deserved hat-trick.

After the break, Sam Webb set up man-of-the-match Lawrence with his fourth goal of the game, with Henry adding a fifth shortly afterwards.

Richardson and Craig Stalker worked well up front to generate further chances, with Stalker finally adding a sixth goal to Melbourn's tally from close range. More great keeping by Letchworth kept the Panthers at bay until Webb latched on to a well-taken corner and made it 7-0.

Despite occasional breaks by Letchworth, Carrington, Martin and Ben Jones stayed solid and assured in defence, ending up with a second successive clean sheet.

Potton U-10 B 2 Melbourn Tigers 1

EARLY pressure from Melbourn forced a corner which was well taken by Sam Chamberlain, seeing the ball pass the front of Pottons goal without a Tiger to pounce on it.

The Potters responded with a fine goal from a break down the left wing being met in the centre to strike solidly into the left hand corner. Moments later the Tigers found themselves two down following some muddled defending.

Laurence Oxley skinned the Potton defense to put in a great cross that was parried by the keeper and subsequently met by Oxley to very nearly find the back of the net.

Some good running down the left saw Conner Brand nearly open Tigers' account.

The intensity of the match built and built as Oxley put Brand through who found Sam Chamberlain who was just thwarted by the keeper.

The second half sprung into action with Oxley breaking down the left and scoring a blinder to make it 2-1.

Good link play continued as Melbourn maintained the upper hand of possession.

In a fierce battle it was Daniel Hickson in defense that kept the Potters at bay.

An intensely fought battle ended with the same energy as it started, but having dominated the majority of the game Melbourn should have taken more away.

Potton U-10 A 1

Melbourn Panthers 1

THE Panthers were up for this game following a well marshalled display last week.

There were intense early exchanges and a fantastic save from Scott McGee kept Melbourn in the game as he pushed a 20 yard thunderbolt around the post.

Melbourn countered and put Daniel Alison clear through on goal to strike wide from two yards and force a corner. A good former from Harry Carter was met by a fine volley from Steve Beatie that just went over the bar.

Harry Carter broke down the left to beat a couple of players and thread the ball through to Steve Beatie who made no mistake about driving home a great opener for the Panthers.

Shortly after the restart for the second half, a long range shot from Potton was tipped around the post by McGee for a corner.

A well taken corner proved too much for Melbourn as the ball curled into the goal straight from the kick to make it 1-1.