First round of the prestigious Ron Pope Cup saw Premier Division side Crofton Albion grace Queensmead.
DC adopted a new formation of 4-3-3 in order to press the opposition more than in previous games. They got underway but were under a lot of early pressure with the CM’s struggling to adapt to their new shape. DC dealt with the pressure well as Crofton struggled to make their early possession pay off.
Against the run of play, some good work down the wing by the energetic Dan Manzi at right back saw a floated ball reach DC’s number 8 just outside the 18 yard box. A rushed first time shot saw the ball pushed wide by some distance.
Not long after, a ball downfield from Nick Walls saw Beddow in a flat-out race with the Crofton keeper. Beddow won the race only to be clattered inside the box by the late goalkeeper – a situation that mirrored the first game dismissal of Sean Beddow weeks before. The players waited for the ref to point to the spot only for him to inexplicably point to the corner flag – a baffling decision as no Crofton player had touched the ball. Both sets of players berated the ref; one set wanting a penalty, the other wanting a goal kick. He stood firm and issued a corner kick.
Dynamo upped their game with more pressure applied down the wings. They won a succession of corners kicks, one of which saw a low drive from Ashley Ellen tipped wide. From the resulting Nick Walls quick corner, Mike Beddow beat the defender and laid back to Dan Manzi on the edge of the 6yr box. Manzi hit a hard, low drive, which flicked up off the keeperonto the crossbar, back onto the goalkeepers head and into the net. Opta later confirmed that, after several replays, Dan Manzi was the official goal scorer. 1-0 DC.
There were some tasty tackles flying in, mainly from Crofton, most of which seemed to be directed at Steve Gallagher, who was on the receiving end of one horrendous challenge. Some believe that a red could’ve been shown, if not for the initial flying lunge, then for the decent which erupted afterwards. The referee gave a free kick to Dynamo, and kept his cards pocketed.
The second goal eventually came. DC won a throw-in on the right side midway in their half, which Manzi threw to Daniel Vincent. He bought it down on his thigh, looped it over the defending midfielder and jockeyed back towards his own goal. Vincent laid it back to Nick Walls who played a low pass to the other side of the midfield. Lewis received the ball, ghosted past two Crofton players before setting Beddow free down the left with a beautifully weighted ball.His first touch allowed him time to consider his shot whilst sprinting onto the ball before striking early with the outside of his right boot from 18yards, giving the onrushing keeper no chance. 2-0 DC
Another break down their left wing saw Crofton catch DC out at the back with a cross into the box. The keeper came to deal with it and opted to punch, popping the ball up in the air around the 6yrd box. Ellen was able to win the header against the waiting forward but when it dropped to another Crofton player around the penalty spot he couldn’t miss, and duly steered the ball past the hopeful blocks of Ellen and Walls.
2-1.
DC battled to re-establish the 2-goal cushion they deserved, and one good passing move saw yet another blatant foul from Crofton’s midfield, some 25/30yrds from goal.
Ellen stood over the ball like a man possessed and unleashed a powerful curler that looked destined for the corner or the net, but the Crofton keeper was able to parry it around the post at the cost of stinging palms.
Later, Nick Walls made a fine attempt to convert the corner with his head, only for the keeper to remain equal to everything coming his way.
Halftime. 2-1 DC and shenanigans with some local toerags stealing the match ball during the teams’ half time lead to Steve chasing the culprits across Queensmead rec. They eventually hoisted the ball into a nearby bush and 2nd half got underway.
Substitution: Mike Davis replacing Chris Grove at RB
The second half kicked off and was just how the first had ended, with DC controlling.
Steve Gallagher added a deserved goal to his stats for the day when he grabbed DC’s 3rd goal, 8 minutes in to the second half. Pleasing the alcoholic spectators, the whole team, but most noticeably his ‘BPC’ brethren, Gallagher’s well-timed run was found by a superb chip from the Nick Letham. First time touch set the ball up nicely coolly slot past the keeper. 3-1 DC.
It could have been 4-1 and out of site a couple of minutes later. A weighted pass over the back four saw Gallagher again pounce on the bouncing ball with the keeper fast approaching. Similar to Maradona in both grace and height, he lifted the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper using his hand. The referee gave what will be the most clear-cut yellow card of the season, and Team GB Volleyball team have since called Gallagher to enquire about his availability. On this performance though, Dynamo Convictus would not let him go without hefty reimbursement.
In a rare second half attack, Crofton countered with pace down the right wing and a hopeful ball managed to find their forward on the edge of the 18yrd box. Having been offered the proverbial barn door at half time following his performance so far, he somehow managed to sneak a dipping half volley on target, which sailed in over the keeper’s head - A goal that on other days wouldn’t have gone in, however now we had a game on our hands.
3-2.
With the midfield ticking over nicely and getting balls played into the forwards time and again, DC were fighting for the 2 goal cushion again and didn’t have to wait very long.
Another turnover of possession by the DC midfield and Gallagher was presented with the ball at his feet. Staving off challenges, he carried the ball (not with his hands this time) forward between two centre backs and offered the ball to Beddow, who smartly finished in similar style to his first of the day.
4-2.
Ellen was replaced by Pudding in the hope that the fresh legs would shore up the middle of the park and it worked. DC managed a period of 10mins with about 80% of the possession.
Because of the effectiveness of fresh legs, Ben James came on to replace man of the match Steve Gallagher.
The finale of the game could and should have seen Mike grab his first hat trick for the club. Two great crosses, one by the energetic and imperious Dan Manzi saw Beddow fluff his first time volley. His frustration was clear for all to see as he nearly broke his foot by kicking the post afterwards. Just a few minutes later the same cross from right to left, this time by Ben James, presented him with a very similar chance. A gentle first time volley in the opposite direction of the oncoming ball saw the keeper scramble across goal to tip the shot out for a corner, which also failed to bare any fruit.
The game finished 4-2 to Dynamo Convictus. Onward to next league game away to Beaverwood.
Viva Convictus!
