AVDFC 1-1 Arlesey Town

Team: James Weatherill; Alex Mitchell, Will Mullarkey, Jack Hodgins, Terry Griffiths; Roy Brown, Matty Chew, Callum Shortt, Jake Baldwin; Chris Stapleton, Brian Haule

Subs: Montel Brown, Ollie Lawford, Josh Edworthy, Luke Nugent, Dan McAteer,

The Dynamos have a run of five home games on the bounce with Arlesey Town first up. Steve Bateman was forced into 2 changes as captain, Dave Brown and midfielder, Alfi Touceda, were both out with injuries. Roy Byron and Matty Chew were both into the starting 11.

It was a scrappy start to the match and Arlesey seemed to target Brian Haule in the first few minutes as he was down twice after tackles. After 6 minutes the first shot was from Arlesey who had a long range effort sail harmlessly wide of James Weatherill’s goal. A couple of minutes later and Arlesey again going close with a header over the bar from a free kick.

Quarter of an hour gone and Dynamos were struggling to get going. Some great defending from Alex Mitchell saw Arlesey with a corner which was headed over the bar. Finally Dynamos got going after 19 minutes when Terry Griffiths headed on a Jake Baldwin corner and the fell kindly to Chris Stapleton, but his shot went wide of the mark. The majority of pressure came from Arlesey and some strong defending from Jack Hodgins was just enough to block a shot from the Arlesey No.10 who was causing some issues for Dynamos.

24 minutes and Arlesey were through on goal, James Weatherill came out and saved well with his legs and Will Mullarkey cleared the ball before Arlesey could react. Matty Chew was then in the thick of the action but tripped an Arlesey player up, resulting in the first booking of the match. On the half hour mark, Callum Shortt found some room and crossed for Brian Haule. He controlled well but fired his shot over the bar as Dynamos started to get some joy.

37 minutes and the best move of the match, former Dynamos player, Bruno Brito, split the defence with a great ball, finding their striker through on goal. He beat James Weatherill, but hit his shot the wrong side of the post…best chance so far. At the other end Callum Shortt again found space and knocked a ball through to Roy Byron who had ventured forward. He took a touch and rifled a shot which took a deflection and off for a corner. The corner was cleared well by Arlesey.

42 minutes and the breakthrough. A ball out from Will Mullarkey was headed down superbly by Chris Stapleton, into the feet of Brian Haule. He quickly moved the ball to Jake Baldwin who took a touch and hit a superb curling effort into the top left corner of the goal. Great strike. 1-0 Dynamos.

Half time: Dynamos 1-0 Arlesey

50 minutes on the clock and Arlesey, now with the wind, had a powerful shot saved by James Weatherill as he makes a double save after pushing away the first attempt. Roy Byron then tackled well and moved forward on the left wing to Will Mullarkey who was getting forward more. His cross found Jake Baldwin who found space for a shot which whistled wide of the far post. Good move and Roy Byron was having a great game in the middle breaking up play.

20 minutes remaining and Arlesey were pushing for an equaliser. Another decent mover from them beat the defensive line, rounded James Weatherill, but Terry Griffiths was on hand to make a vital block to keep Dynamos in front. Jake Baldwin then found some good pace beating a couple of players and whizzing over a cross straight to Brian Haule, he had space for a header but missed the target in what would prove very costly. Arlesey went straight down the other end and a shot deflected onto the arm of Jack Hodgins and the referee awarded a penalty. Slightly harsh maybe, but no complaints from Dynamos players. Arelsey scored the penalty. 1-1.

75 minutes and another glorious opportunity…Jake Baldwin again the creator as he ran riot down the left wing, this time hitting a low cross into the feet of Brian Haule, with just the keeper to beat, his shot went agonisingly wide of the goal. Less than 10 minutes remaining and Jake Baldwin again had some joy on the left as he cut inside and had a shot/cross which almost sneaked in as it flew past the defence and keeper.
Ollie Lawford was introduced and Brian Haule came off.

Jake Baldwin looked the most likely to cause issues for Arlesey and another decent cross field ball found Callum Shortt on the right wing, he skipped past a challenge but was then taken down. The free kick was clipped into the back post by Callum Shortt and Jack Hodgins was there to head towards goal but the keeper saved easily.With a minute left of the 90, Josh Edworthy came on for his first team debut, replacing the impressive Roy Byron. With 8 minutes injury time due to an injury to the linesman, there was still time for some action. However, the only 2 chance to note were both from Arlesey as first Alex Mitchell made a great challenge and then in the dying seconds, James Weatherill made a routine save to keep the score level.

Final score: AVDFC 1-1 Arlesey