Dynamo Convictus started their season at home to Lewisham Kickz on a glorious Saturday afternoon.
DC11 started brightly, running things from the whistle. They dominated possession with neat passing play and forced a handful of early corners but couldn’t quite make a breakthrough.
15 minutes in, a long kick by Sean Beddow was excellently converted from 25 yards by his brother, Michael. The ball bounced only once from the goal kick and, with defenders dithering, Michael allowed the ball the drop over his shoulder and met it with a sweet half-volley. 1-0 Dynamo Convictus.
DC11 continued to dominate possession and had another handful of opportunities thwarted; a powerful Ashley Ellen header from a Michael Beddow corner was saved on the line, some neat exchange play between Vincent, Beddow and Gallagher saw the latter skew 1 shot wide and another straight at the defender. DC11 really should’ve made the most of their early dominance, as they came to realise.
On the 35 minute mark, a typical long ball from Lewisham Kickz saw their speedy attacker beat the DC11 defence and race after the ball. He was met by a cumbersome Sean Beddow 20 yards from goal, clattering him into a 360 spin as the ball rolled out for a goalkick. The ref drew a straight red and the dominant Dynamo Convictus were down to ten men. In the blistering heat and with a hat full of hangovers, the game was only going to end one way.
James Callow came on for Chris Grove and took Seans place between the sticks. DC moved into a 4-4-1 and saw out the second half. Half time: DC11 1 – 0 LK.
A few short minutes into the 2nd half, LK were gifted two goals in quick succession with an additional two goalkeeping blunders seeing them 4-1 up with 20 minutes to go. DC11 were evidently struggling with fatigue and were being overrun all over of the pitch.
After the 4th goal, Daniel Vincent swapped for Callow in goal and DC11 kicked off. Steve Gallagher knocked it to Michael Beddow who easily drifted through a static midfield, played a classy 1-2 with Gallagher, and slotted it passed the keeper. DC 2 – 4 Lewisham Kicks.
Any flames of hope inspired by the late goal were shortly extinguished by a hospital pass from Puddin’ which put their forward 1 v 1 with Vincent in goal. A neat, low strike through the keepers legs saw the game finish Dynamo Convictus 2, Lewisham Kickz 5.
But for the diminished common sense of the referee, the result could’ve been very different. Playing with 10 men for 70 minutes in searing sunshine would be difficult for any team, especially a brand new side with a makeshift backline.
Roll on the next game. Viva Convictus!
