Crawley Green Panthers

21/04/2023

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League game
20/4/23
Panthers v Flitwick Stripes

For the second week running we had a midweek catch up game after some recent awful weather over the weekends. Today we played Flitwick Stripes who we have never really managed to get the better of. It’s either been a draw or a close loss for us.

All day the weather had been perfect, but just as we turned up the clouds gathered and rain started to fall. For the next two hours it didn’t stop and the cold followed. It was horrible playing conditions.

We started quite well, using the big pitch to play some decent passing, but we weren’t executing the final pass in the attacking third particularly well. With the greasy surface the ball was zipping away from us. Although we did look dangerous nothing quite fell in to the right position at the right moment for one of the lads to finish.

Flitwick have a bit about them, they like to play football when they can, which was good to see, but their ultimate tactic was fairly obvious. They have an excellent attacking midfielder/forward player who they try to work the ball to and let him work his magic. We knew that was coming and between Andre, Leighton, Zyon and Josh J we pretty much nullified his threat.

However Flitwick did take the lead through an incisive counter attack down our right side. They managed to get the ball in to their front man and he attempted to get by Patrick, but couldn’t as he nicked the ball away from their forward in the box. They both lunged for the ball, and Patrick was a half second late and caught the lad and it was a penalty. To be fair to their lad he tucked the ball away comfortably, giving Ant no chance.

We reacted to this really well, for the next 10-15 minutes Andre really took hold of the game, he was dribbling by players, making some good decisions and showing good leadership skills. During that period we scored our equaliser. It wasn’t any old goal either it was unexpected and spectacular. A corner taken by Omari was cleared back out to him, he on the volley, laced a beautiful cross, back in to the box about head height. From nowhere Zyon popped up and scissor kicked it in to the corner of the net. Great bit of play and a sensational goal.

HT Panthers 1-1 Flitwick

Second half was basically all Panthers, with the occasional counter attack by Flitwick which we managed quite well. I don’t think Ant had a difficult save to make in the second half.

We started to build some confidence as the half went on and were playing some really good passing football. Making the ball do the work and trying to open gaps in the Flitwick defence. We achieved this a number of times and on another night Omari would of buried a couple.

Midway through the second half, we got what we deserved. After some good play down the left the ball, found Dan on the edge of the box. He laid the ball to Andre about 30 yards out, he pushed it forward on to his left and cracked a shot that flew through the keepers hands and in to the goal. Great goal and what the team deserved.

We could have got at least a couple more. As Flitwick pushed for the equaliser, we found gaps in their defence and Dennis found himself in 2 one on ones with a defender, ghosted past him but was just unable to put the finishing touches to his good play.

FT - Panthers 2-1 Flitwick

A decent team performance, especially in the conditions. It was great to give Patrick and Raph some much needed time on the pitch after long term injuries. Patrick’s confidence is coming with his defending and seeing Raph’s skills coming to the fore is a great boost to the squad and they both give us great options as we go into the last 5 games of the season.

It was good that all the boys wanted and tried to play the passing and moving game and it worked really well. Again the sub rotation was good and whatever change I made it didn’t seem to impact the team fluidity.

Motm - this was easy tonight. Andre led the team forward when we needed him. He drifted by players easily, his decision making was good and scored a great winning goal. Well done and keep it up.

16/04/2023

16/04/2023

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League game
16/4/23
Tattenhoe Reds v Panthers

First time playing Tattenhoe this season, who were coming off a fine run of results, with a 6-1 thrashing of Stoke Hammond last Sunday and 12-2 thumping of Bromham on Thursday, so we knew it was going to be tough and it was.

Tattenhoe are a big strong side, with lots of aggression and passion in everything they do. They also had quite a nasty edge to their game, where they constantly, pushed, pulled and fouled the Panthers through the 80 minutes. Thankfully the ref was on the ball and spot on for all his decisions.

The first part of the 1st half the Panthers looked the better side, we were better going forward and created a couple of good chances we should have finished. However it was an uncharacteristic error from Leighton that let them in for their first goal. His hesitation in the box allowed the forward to nip in and drive on an angle toward Ant a slip the ball passed him.

We didn’t roll over, although slightly nervous at the back, we were sharp and positive going forward and that was rewarded by a lovely through ball by Andre to the on running Dan who coolly slotted it pass their on rushing keeper. At this point I thought we would push on and take control of the game, but it was not to be.

Their tactic was to knock long balls on the diagonal and let their big forwards chase. Finally it worked for them as Patrick was unable to deal with one of the through balls and their forward latched on to it and pushed it passed Ant in to the net, although he made a valiant effort to keep it out. Tattenhoe were on the hunt. They kept pushing and probing and scored a well taken 3rd with a header from a corner, although it was poor defending as we left the lad free in the box. 3-1 down and a lot for us to do.

However we didn’t duck our responsibilities, and we kept doing the right thing. A reshuffle in defence shored it up for us a bit and allowed Dennis to make a burst forward and play a lovely through ball to Dan, who lobbed the keeper from 20 yards out. That put us right back in to it and Tattenhoe on the back foot. The rest of the half was Panthers pressurising their defence looking for our 3rd as we pushed and probed for an equaliser. Saying that we were lucky at points in that first half. From our corner, Tattenhoe burst forward on a very quick counter attack, with 5 players to our 2 and if it hadn’t been for Ant’s fantastic save Tattenhoe would have been out of sight.

With a minute to go in the half we had a corner and a lovely in sw***er from Omari saw Zyon’s flicked header deservedly hit the back of the net. It was satisfying as we fully deserved to be on equal terms at the halve.

HT Tattenhoe 3-3 Panthers

The second half was full of awful fouls, pulling of shirts and general un- sporting behaviour from Tattenhoe. They were certainly unsettled by the Panthers tenacity and and unwillingness to give up.

To be fair to the Panthers, defence wise we had very little to deal with. Some breakaways which we dealt with, about 7-8 set pieces which they just lobbed in to our box hopefully. There was one really good chance for Tattenhoe where their centre forward sped out of the blocks from a through ball where he looked destined to score, but out of nowhere Josh J caught and eased him off the ball to clear. Apart from that they really didn’t trouble us.

On the other hand the second half was mostly played in their half. We drove them back and created some really good chances where on another day we could had one if not two goals. Great chances for Dan, Ewan and Dennis could have secured the win, but it was not to be.

FT Tattenhoe 3-3 Panthers

I hope the boys have learnt a lot today. Work hard, stay strong in mind and body and we can compete and defeat any team in this league.

Goals
Dan x 2
Zyon x 1

MotM - Omari second half put a shift in, when we were being kicked all over the pitch, and I needed someone to stand up and take a lead. Well done Omari good character and excellent leadership.

13/04/2023

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Div 2 league cup
Panthers v Dunstable Panthers
13/4/23

Back to it today for the first time in it feels like forever. For the third time this season we played Dunstable Panthers, but this time in the cup at the third attempt!

We knew they were going to be tough as they are a big strong side, with talent, aggression and directness in their play.

Having Patrick and Raph back in the squad was a great fillip for the team and meant we had options on the bench. The only missing player was Ewan with a niggly back injury. The first 20 mins we were on top, we had plenty of energy and drive going forward and looked strong at the back.

We could have easily have been a couple up in that first 10mins. We were making the ball do the work and created some great chances, the best coming to Omari, Dan and Josh J, but we just couldn’t find the net. However we broke the deadlock with a penalty from a blatant hand ball after some sustained Crawley pressure. Omari stepped up and smashed it in with ease.

I hoped that would help us to push forward and get 1 or 2 more before halftime. It had the opposite effect. We got a bit nervy, started to knock long balls, tried to beat multiple players and stated to give the ball away. This let Dunstable back in to the game and they pushed and probe with long balls, but Ant and the defence held firm.

HT - Panthers 1-0 Dunstable Panthers

We told the boys to keep doing the good things from the first half and grab your chance to play in a semi final. They did just that. We played some good football. The midfield were connecting well, our defence blocking everything they threw at us and our forwards looked dangerous.

Our deserved second came from a good move down the right, where Andre clipped the ball through to Dan. He picked it up on the left hand corner of the box, cut in and drove across the box and hit a low drive in to the left hand bottom corner.

2-0 up and we looked comfortable. We didn’t stop this time and continued to dominate the game. Our final goal came from a super quick throw from Ant, who set Dennis on his way. His drive down the right created space for Omari, who he slipped the ball through to on the edge of their box. Omari’s clever lob to Dan on the penalty spot, allowed him to nod the ball in to the far post. A great team goal at pace.

FT - Panthers 3-0 Dunstable Panthers

It was a good workout for the boys. Valuable minutes for Patrick and Raph as they return from long term injuries. It was nice to have options on the bench and good from a team perspective. To the boys credit the subs we made didn’t really disrupt our flow, energy or flair. Great credit to the boys tonight.

Goals
Dan x 2
Omari x 1

Honourable mentions Josh and Charlie Mizzi, great defensive displays and some coolness on the ball when under pressure.

Ryan, excellent tonight. Great football and loads of energy and desire.

MotM - however today the man of the match was Leighton. He was immense in the heart of our defence. His reading of the game was excellent, his power and strength were second to none on the pitch. Their forwards were demoralised by the end of the game. Great game, well done.

19/02/2023

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League games between the following dates:

29/01/22 to 19/2/22
Newport Pagnell Jags v Panthers
Crawley Cubs v Panthers
Panthers v Stoke Hammond
Panthers v Dunstable Town Panthers

Four games over the last month and there has been a lot of ups and downs. Out of 12 possible points we’ve picked up 6, should have got at least 7, disappointed we didn’t get 9.

We’ve played potentially the top two sides in the division and lost both.

Against Newport Jags I thought we were the better team and should have possibly got maximum points. Two good finishes from Dan J and a number of misses meant we weren’t able to take the points. A last minute hand ball on the edge of the box, was some how converted into a penalty by the ref which meant Newport pinched the points.

That was followed by a tough encounter with the cubs. The two sides were evenly matched but the Cubs playing the better football over the 80 minutes. It was drifting to a stalemate until Andre stepped up and smashed a 40 yarder top bins to win it in the last 10 minutes.

Last week we took on Stoke Hammond for the very first time. Unfortunately on that day we decided that we couldn’t defend corners and in fact couldn’t play football either in the first 40 minutes! We were 4-1 down at half time, 3 from corner kicks, and one from a quick break away. It was probably the worse the Panthers had played since forever. We reshuffled in the second half and managed to hold them for the second half to 0-0.

Today we played Dunstable Town Panthers, a big and tough side. Within 5 minutes we were 1-0 with a mix up between Josh J and Ant which allowed their striker a free run to the open goal. This week our heads didn’t dropped and for the rest of the half we played some lovely one two touch football and created some great opportunities. A lovely through ball from Omari, saw Dan J go racing through to score an equaliser and one disallowed for off side. We were by far the better side and playing some tidy football but 1-1 at half time was just about a fair score.

Second half wasn’t much to write home about. Dunstable huffed and puffed but didn’t really create too much of concern. We weren’t as fluid second half but created two fantastic chances from crosses which Omari and Ewan should have buried. However we kept plugging away and working for each other and in the last 5 minutes of the game Dan and Omari put the game to bed. A ball to the right wing by Omari found Dan on the edge of the box. His intended cross for Ewan perfectly sailed over the keepers head in to the far corner. The boys celebration was great to see and you could see they really wanted it. The third was a lovely corner from Dennis and Omari flicking the ball in to the goal from 5 yards, giving the keeper no chance.

Results
Newport Jags 3-2 Panthers
Dan x2

Man of the Match - Zyon
Zyon was in beast mode today. His work rate, power, commitment is second to none across all three divisions and he showed it today. Fantastic performance.

Cubs 0-1 Panthers
Andre

Man of the Match - Dennis
Ran them ragged on both wings today. Kept pushing them back with his tricky feet and blistering pace. Brilliant performance.

Panthers 1-4 Stoke Hammond
Dan J

Man of the Match - no one today

Panthers 3-1 Dunstable Panthers
Dan x2
Omari

Man of the Match - Taylor.
Defensively sound today. Didn’t really put a foot wrong and brave as a lion considering he is up against lads twice his size. Great performance.

If results go our way over the second half of the season we can still have a say in the league, so we push on again next week. Have a good training session on Thursday and focus to put things right next Sunday v Stoke Hammond.

15/01/2023

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15/1/23
League cup 1st round.
Panthers v Stopsley Scorpions

After a lengthy Christmas break and cancellations in the new year due to bad weather, we were back in action with a league cup game.

Having not played for so long and missing 4 important players we weren’t sure what was going to happen. In our league game we found them quite difficult to break down and struggled for 60 mins. Eventually coming out 3-1 winners. So we knew it was going to be tough.

However the boys didn’t disappoint! I’m not sure I can describe all the goals we scored today so it’s going to be a bit of a summary where goals are concerned.

We started like a steam train and we’re 4-0 up before I could get my focus on the game, that’s how clinical in front of goal we were. Saying that I thought while we were scoring those goals, we were finding it a little difficult to get in to our rhythm. However with two goals a piece from Omari and Josh Jones allowed us to settle and take good control of the game.

What was good today was our build up play. Some of the through balls were immaculate, played with purpose and poise. None of the up and overs we were doing in the earlier part of the season. Great midfield engine room of Zyon, Omari and Andre saw us dominate the first half. Their interplay and changing of direction kept Stopsley on their toes. The wing backs, Ryan and Dennis’s influence on the game grew and grew through the first half and continued unabated in the second and Stopsley just couldn’t cope.

Half time: Panthers 4-0 Stopsley

Second half was much the same and we went 5 up with in minutes of the restart, which helped us again to settle in to the half.

Our defence today were fantastic. I asked Taylor to do a job a right centre half and he did it with immense power, fight and some lovely composure on the ball. Leighton took a few minutes to settle in to the left sided central defensive role, but once he was settled, he was immense, like a brick wall, which earned him the right to play some nice passing moves. Josh J just tidied everything up today with his strength, composure and a cool head. Ant to be fair didn’t have a huge amount to do, but when called upon he did it really well, as we all expect with Ant nowadays.

We scored at regular intervals throughout the second half and it was fantastic to see Ryan and Dennis hit their first goals of the season. Surely a spring board for more to come for both.

What was nice to see today was a consistent 80 minutes from the boys. At no real point did we let up. We kept moving the ball and driving forward and testing their defence with incisive through balls. When the through balls worked, which they invariably did today, our forward players didn’t disappoint. Dan, Ewan and Ben were a constant thorn in the Stopsley defence. Their connecting of the build up play was excellent, giving the midfielders time to send our wingbacks down the line where they were causing havoc. On another day Big Ben could of got two goals, one where he couldn’t get his feet sorted in time and the other a slightly tame shot with the goal at his mercy, but it will come. Dan and Ewan always willing runners making it a really difficult afternoon for the Stopsley defence and creating space for our midfielders to run in to.

FT Panthers 9-1 Stopsley Scorpions

Goals scorers:
Omari x 4
Josh J x 2
Ryan x 1
Dennis x 1
Andre x 1

Honourable mentions for MotM - Taylor brilliant in defence today from the get go. Andre the assist king, Zyon such a presence in the midfield, Ryan dynamo performance at right wing back.

MotM - today it can only be birthday boy Omari - 4 goals, dribbling skills that the opposition couldn’t cope with and power with purpose in getting the ball back (and he brought cakes for the end of the game 😊)

04/12/2022

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4/12/22
League Game
Dunstable Panthers u15 v Crawley Panthers u15

For the 3rd time in four weeks we played a Dunstable Town side. This week the Panthers, a new opposition for us, were our opponents. As you would expect in December the cold wind was a alive and well. We were significantly down on numbers this week as 4 players were either ill, injured or away. So down to the bear bones.

To be fair to the boys I thought in the first half we played as well as we have for the last few weeks. It’s becoming abundantly clear playing a back 3 is beginning to suit us. It allows more players to get in to attacking positions but keeps us solid across a back 5 with a holding midfielder.

First 20 minutes we played some really good interplay in the midfield. Andre, Josh, Omari, Ryan and Raphael were playing the ball on the floor with confidence. It’s great to see us receive and pass the ball with a bit of style and panache. To support that the back 3 were solid as a rock and played out when they could.

Our front 2 were a menace to their defence. Strong, quick and determined. We created two or three very good chances before our opener and it was no surprise after about 20 minutes when it arrived. Omari causing havoc in the midfield, his through ball released Ewan down the left. He left his defender for dead, and as he entered the penalty box he let rip and smashed the ball in to the top left corner with his left foot. What a goal……what a strike.

We were good for the lead, however saying that we did try to shoot ourselves in the foot. A poor clearance by Anthony left the centre forward in. With Ant backing away - instead of closing down - the forward took aim and somehow Ant redeemed himself with a cracking last gasp save.

The first half was definitely ours. However it was becoming apparent in the first half that Charlie M was unwell and Raphael and Josh J were struggling with muscle strains.

HT Dunstable 0-1 Panthers

During the first half we had to swap Charlie for Josh M, and Josh M with Leighton and Patrick were immense in defence in the second half. Collectively didn’t put a foot wrong and on the rare occasion when Dunstable did break our line, Ant was like a whippet, with no fear, sweeping up and made a couple of crucial saves.

For the first 15 minutes we weren’t as fluid as we were in the 1st. But still on top and putting the Dunstable defence on the back foot. Ewan and Dan were scaring the life out of the their defence, which you could see every time we moved the ball forward and got their defence turning.

It was from a through ball from Andre to Dan on the left wing, where we notched our second. Dan held the ball up well. Drove across the edge of the penalty area and laid the ball to Omari. He twisted and turned three defenders in to a tis and then sent the goal keeper the wrong way. Another lovely finish.

We relaxed a bit after the second goal. Started to play a bit of the football we played in the first half and could easily have had 3 or 4 goals. A miss communication between Dan and Josh J, had Josh stabbing the ball wide from 6 yards with the goal at his mercy. After a scramble in the box, Andre slotted a lovely shot in to the bottom corner, only to be called off side by an inch, maximum! But it was all good stuff and a team performance in the second half.

FT Dunstable Panthers 0-2 Panthers

Really good team performance today. Everyone contributed, getting tackles in, working hard, great passing and moving, lots of chances created, great finishes and rock solid at the back.

Whole team were fantastic today and one of 12 could have got it. But some name checks who were in contention for Man of the Match - Ewan, Omari, Andre and Leighton.

MotM - Patrick. What a gem we have found with Patrick. Over the last few weeks he has improved and added some great defending and composure to the team. Today Patrick was excellent, played with confidence, strength, aggression and some really good passing. Excellent all round performance today

27/11/2022

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27/11/22
League Game
Panthers V Stopsley Scorpions

First time in about 18 months that we’ve played Stopsley. They were a big and powerful side back then and nothing has really changed in that time.

We moved to a 3-5-2 formation today to try and shake things up a little and give a bit more attacking focus with a front two. It took a few minutes for us to get our heads around it but when we did we created a number of gilt edge chances in the first half

However as we were settling down Stopsley took the lead in the first 10 minutes. We gave them far too much space in the final third which enabled them to create space on our right side, where they opened us up and scored the opener.

I wasn’t sure how we would react. Over the last few weeks we tend to go to in our shell far too quickly and our heads drop. The boys need to remember this is a decent standard and all teams in our league are capable of beating each other. To their credit the boys this week tried to make amends.

For the next 20 minutes we created chance after chance. I think on another day Dan J and Dennis could have scored 8 goals between them in that first half. There was a little more confidence in our midfield this week and they tried to play little one twos. It was much more effective than last week where it became hoof ball. But today we played some lovely balls through their defence and some decent crosses from the left from Charlie.

I think Dennis hit the woodwork at least twice and missed a number of other gilt edge chances. When he does get his first goal the flood gates will surely open. Dan J on the other hand just did not have his scoring boots on today. At least 3 one on one chances and he still couldn’t find the net.

Other chances from Andre, a header which just drifted wide, Omari and Zyon with shots from distance weren’t quite hitting the mark.

Apart from the goal our defence handled their two big forwards quite well.

HT - Panthers 0-1 Stopsley

As we said to the boys at half time, keep doing the things they were doing and we had every chance of turning this round.

The second half was all Panthers. We pinned them in their half for long periods. The odd set piece and counter attacks from Stopsley kept the boys honest at the back. The back three were excellent. Held them up, slowed them down with some no nonsense defending. Our break through came at about 60 minutes! A free kick in to the box caused confusion in their defence. The ball fell to Omari on the edge of the box, he flicked it to Andre running and he powered in and smashed the ball in from 6 yards.

Back on terms and all to play for. The pattern of the game didn’t change. We kept them in their half and we were starting to settle down. We moved ahead with about 15 minutes left, and you could feel it was coming. From a cross in to the box, another scrambled ensued and a half hearted clearance fell to Omari, who took a couple of players on in the box, knocked the ball on to his right side and smashed it gleefully in to the bottom corner.

Only one winner from then on. We deservedly completed the job in the last 10, when after another attack down the left, where Dennis and Raphael were tearing them apart, the ball came to Zyon 25 yards out. He teed the ball on to his right foot and drove it goal bound. The keeper couldn’t handle it and it squirmed under the keepers body.

FT Panthers 3-1 Stopsley

Goals
Andre x 1
Omari x 1
Zyon x 1

Overall a better performance from the boys. Ant is looking solid in goal and the back three looked strong through out. Patrick and Leighton outstanding in their defending today with Josh J mopping up and covering where needed. Ryan looked more settled today than he has been for the last couple of weeks and after two years out of the game, Raphael is beginning to look the player we saw in his first training session. It was good to see Taylor, Josh M and Charlie M settling well in to their wingback positions - good energy up and down the pitch.

But todays MotM was Omari. He was a driving force in the midfield. Technically strong, great energy levels, led like a leader and topped it off with a goal. Well done Omari top performance today

26/11/2022

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20-11-22
League game
Panthers v Dunstable Tigers

Second week playing a Dunstable Town side and again we couldn’t quite get the result we needed.

For the first 60 minutes we didn’t really turn up. Dunstable were quicker to the ball, played with purpose, strong, aggressive and ultimately took their chances. To be fair we were very happy to give them chances, where we stood off them all over the pitch.

As said they dictated the play and it was no surprise that they went in front and then further in front again and were comfortably 3-0 up before we decided to join the game!

Changes up front with Ewan coming on and we had a bit more humph up front. Within a few minutes Ewan had hit the inside of the far post and then drove through from a ball from Omari and with sheer determination pushed the ball passed their keeper. Excellent goal!

We pushed, huffed and puffed for the last 15 minutes but could not find that important second goal. To be fair Dunstable managed the game really well as they slowed it down and frustrated us constantly.

Full time
Panthers 1-3 Dunstable Tigers

It’s was a frustrating Sunday. We all know the team has a lot of talent but on the rare occasion we just lack the energy and conviction which makes is look very average. However some players did step up, Ewan was excellent, Zyon yet again ran his heart out and Leighton and Patrick showed lots of spirit and determination. All the boys need to match that this Sunday.

I think I’m going to shake up the formation this Sunday. We are still in the mix for the league, with games in hand we just need a run of wins and suddenly it all changes.

Goals
Ewan x1

Motm - Ewan. Came on made himself awkward and difficult to handle for the Dunstable defence. Had a couple decent half chances and deserved his goal. Great performance.

13/11/2022

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13/11/22
Bedfordshire u16 Country Cup - 2nd round

Panthers u15s v Dunstable Lions u15s

Not going to be a long report. The team to a man were magnificent today . Playing against a Div 1 top of the table team, we matched them for the whole 80 plus minutes.

This Panthers team never know when they are beaten. In a match where if the coaches and boys would have been honest with themselves, we would of happily walked away with a 6 or 7 nil beating. But not a chance. The first 10 minutes we started really well and deservedly took the lead. A beautifully delivered corner by Andre was flicked home by Josh Jones in to the far corner. Without doubt a fantastic goal and we fully deserved to be 1-0 up.

After a further 10 minutes, I decided to push Josh Jones in to the back four and that was the wrong decision. The back four had been doing really well and that change unbalanced us. Consequently due to my mistake we entered half time 1-2 down. However for that first half we competed, battled and got in the faces and made their life hard. The back four were tracking and blocking. The midfield four were chasing and challenging and the front two (including the two subs) made their back four look nervous.
Great effort from all the boys!

HT - Panthers 1-2 Dunstable Lions

The first 10 minutes of the second half is really where we lost it. We conceded 2 quick goals and suddenly it felt like it was going to be a long second half.

As mentioned earlier this team never gives up and the boys were having none of it. We were back harrying, chasing and making them make mistakes and with about 17 minutes to go, we got a foot back in the game. Some great wing play by Dan J saw him clip a lovely ball in to the box, putting Omari just in front of the two centre halves. Somehow he bundled it pass their hapless keeper, to put us back in with some hope. It was exactly what we deserved after going three goals down.

You could see the boys tails were up and for about 5 minutes we pushed and probed and you thought if only we could get the next one……… a lass it wasn’t to be as Dunstable notched again from a corner to go 5-2 up.

But a common theme this season is we don’t crumble. The character of the boys is second to none. We kept on pushing and with 10 to go Andre from 40 yards saw their keeper off his line and powered it in to the net… game on again! It was all a bit of a blur from then on to full time, but we hit their bar, had a couple of crosses in to the box where we just couldn’t get a toe on it to make the last 5 interesting.

FT - Panthers 3-5 Dunstable Lions

Day to be proud of for the boys. On our day we can compete with the best u15 sides in this league/county. The togetherness and spirit of the 13 players today was excellent. Not all the squad got the game time they wanted, but the boys that didn’t, their day will come.

Goals
Josh J
Omari
Andre

Motm - the whole squad were brilliant today. I thought all the back four were immense but today Leighton just edged it. He was on the front foot, made tackle after tackle, put his body on the line, ran and chased and had a little edge to his play which was great to see.