It was a fine victory from Ed Brand’s team as they saw off Dinamo in impressive fashion on Wednesday afternoon. Goals from Leo Castledine, Louis Flower, Frankie Runham and an own goal gave us a deserved victory.

Our first win and clean sheet of the group came in our final game of the competition as we had been knocked out already. Nonetheless, Brand got the performance that he wanted from his team before the game, especially considering that our opponents could have still qualified for the next round with a win.

Castledine scored a fine free-kick just before half time which set the tone for the performance after the break. After total domination for most of the second period, Flower came on and finished a lovely team move which involved sharp passing and good skill.

The third came through Jimi Tauriainen’s free-kick which forced an own goal from Ivan Cvetko as the captain on the day put in a dangerous ball which Cvetko turned into his own net. Finally, our fourth saw first-year scholar Josh Acheampong and 15-year-old Frankie Runham combine, and the latter finished expertly to add further gloss to the scoreline.

Max Merrick also made a couple of quality saves which ensured the clean sheet as our opponents did have some good chances.

Team news

Brand selected a strong side as there were a number of regulars in the team who featured once again. Acheampong and Kiano Dyer were put in from the start after his return from international duty, while Donnell McNeilly was handed a start following his goal and good performance for the Under-18s on the weekend against West Brom.

It was a very quiet half as both teams moved the ball nicely but in terms of possession, we edged it territorially without giving the goalkeeper anything to do.

Merrick made a good save after a fine run and shot from Gabrijel Rukavina. That was the only chance that the first period had to offer from both sides until the 40th minute.

Sensational free-kick

Lewis Hall won a free-kick on the edge of the box after hurdling a few challenges prior and up stepped Castledine, who arrowed a dead ball into the top corner of the net far beyond Luka Prslja’s reach.

A miscued header from Maro Katinic almost caught the keeper out and scored a freak own goal but fortunately for Dinamo, Prslja was in the right place to tip it over.

Complete control

We should have doubled our lead early in the second though as a free-kick delivered in by Tauriainen found Acheampong at the back post, but the defender miscued his chance.

We did not have to wait too long though for the second as we remained in complete control of the contest. Second-half substitute Malik Mothersille started the attack as he found Castledine, who neatly laid it off to Zak Sturge sprinting down the wing. The left-back delivered for Flower, who was in the right place at the right time to tap into the net.

The lead was extended, underlining further the control and dominance that our young Blues had in the game. Tauriainen’s wicked delivery from a free-kick went in off of Cvetko, who could do little to sort his feet out.

We almost scored a fourth as Mothersille and Flower combined, the latter trying to find the near post but it was saved by the goalkeeper. Both substitutes caused havoc when they came on.

Acheampong was next to try his luck as he rifled a left-footed effort towards goal which had to be pushed over by the goalkeeper as it was headed for the top corner.

Dinamo very nearly pulled a goal back as their own substitute Culjak was in acres of space to finish after Merrick could only parry a shot from distance by Cvetko but the attacker hit the post from five yards out.

Flower could have had a second as he was found in the box by Sturge, but the striker could not adjust.

Maiden goal

Another substitute got his name on the scoresheet, and it was 15-year-old Runham who finished fantastically after a fine through ball from Acheampong.

This was a great showing from our young Blues, who bow out of the competition with our heads held high with a 4-0 victory.

Chelsea(4-3-3): Max Merrick; Josh Acheampong, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Travis Akomeah, Zak Sturge; Kiano Dyer (Michael Golding 81), Jimi Tauriainen (c); Harrison McMahon (Malik Mothersille 61), Lewis Hall (Tyrique George 83), Leo Castledine (Frankie Runham 84); Donnell McNeilly (Louis Flower 61)
Unused subs: Ted Curd, Kaiden Wilson
Scorers: Castledine 40; Flower 64; Cvetko 71 (OG); Runham 85

Dinamo(4-2-3-1): Luka Prslja; Matija Ruscovacki (Matteo Tonon 65), Patrik Majdandzic (Ivan Cvetko 46), Maro Katinic, Moreno Zivkovic, Anes Krdzalic (Luka Vrbancic 85), Gabrijel Rukavina, Marko Brkljaca (Viktor Kanizaj 65), Matej Sakota (Fran Culjak 46), Luka Lakanic (c), Fran Topic
Unused subs: Dorian Klarin, Jakov Gurlica
Booked: Cvetko 69; Lukanic 78; Katanic 90