AVDFC U16’s Dynamos – Season Review

So, we finally finish a season after two years of Covid. It has been a tough season on a number of levels, from pitch availability, player availability, positions they play in, coffee at the tea bar, did the management team have hangovers and many other factors.

We played 24 matches in total this season and had 2 x walkovers (1 in the League – Hale Leys and a B&B Cup match against Wingrave).
We were knocked out of 3 x cups fairly early on which was disappointing, losing one on penalties (lets not talk about those…).

Played: 24 Won: 9 Drew: 3 Lost: 12 For: 42 Against: 39

Final League Table

We used a total of 19 players this season with poor old Alfie and Dorian not able to kick a ball for us at all. We wish them a speedy recovery, hopefully in time for next season.

A few stats…
- Only 5 players appeared in EVERY match this season – Conor, Dylan, Hasan, Jonathan & Kai
- Top Goalscorer: Zola – 9 goals…closely followed by Owen with 8, Adam got 6.
- Most Key Contributions: Owen – 11 assists, Dylan – 8 and Zola – 7.
- Most minutes on pitch: Conor – 1828 minutes, Jonathan – 1826, Kai – 1811 (taken by my, sometimes dodgy, timekeeping)

PLAYER STATS/COMMENTS

Jonathan Zimmerman (Played: 24 matches, Minutes: 1826, Goals: 0, Assists: 1)
Jon has had a great season for Dynamos. Stepping into some big shoes he immediately adapted to the team and played every game. Prone to the occasional injury, Jonathan shouldered (ha ha) on made some fantastic saves throughout the season. His kicking improved through the season and that save against Ruislip was top drawer. On his day, the best keeper in the division.

Hasan Raja (Played: 24 matches, Minutes: 1790, Goals: 1, Assists: 0)
A no nonsense left back, Hasan has made that position his own. Great attitude during the games and never gets phased. Doesn’t like a throw in though…! Scored his only goal of the season in a victory over Risborough when he ran through and slotted home. Hasan is very strong on the ball and reads the game well and he loves to get forward and help the attack. Great season Hasan!

Kai Borrett (Played: 24 matches, Minutes: 1811, Goals: 4, Assists: 4)
Kai has had a tough season by his own high standards. Starting on the right wing, his familiar position, Kai was then thrown up front due to a lack of strikers in the team, a very difficult task. He eventually found himself at right back where he had his best games towards the latter stages of the season. He hit the back of the net 4 times and also assisted 4 goals. He also headed the ball a few times…!

Luca Van Danzig (Played: 20 matches, Minutes: 1424, Goals: 1, Assists: 1)
I always struggle to put into words how important Luca is to the team. Captain and first name on the team sheet, Luca will give 100% until he is unable to run anymore. He has grown as a player this season and is always vocal on the pitch, motivating and helping Mike give the instructions to his team. Great goal against Harefield and then what a run to set up a goal against Ruislip. Another superb season from Luca.

Conor Willcocks (Played: 24 matches, Minutes: 1828, Goals: 1, Assists: 1)
Conor has become Luca’s right-hand man at centre back this season and they have formed a great partnership together. One of the best headers of the ball in the team, he regularly cleared balls, heading away from danger. Again, Conor has grown as a player this season and is a threat from corners…just need more goals now. His one goal was in the cup match against Hale Leys, coverting Owens corner. Keep believing in yourself!

Bobby Heal (Played: 14 matches, Minutes: 962, Goals: 0, Assists: 0)
A great asset to the team, Bobby was a solid defender either playing right back or covering at center back if required. He had pace and a desire to win the ball and preferred to pass out of defence if possible. Bobby left the team April missing the final 6 games.

Corey Collins (Played: 13 matches, Minutes: 508, Goals: 0, Assists: 2)
Plagued by injuries this season meant Corey was unable to fulfil his potential. A great defensive midfielder with a big presence on the pitch. Corey started the season well but with injuries and work commitments, could never get a decent run in the team. Hoping we see more from him next season.

Jay Bamford (Played: 22 matches, Minutes: 209, Goals: 0, Assists: 0)
Whilst Jay didn’t get to play much this season, he always gives 100% when on the pitch. He came on and helped out on numerous occasions and, to his credit, just got on with it and played his part. Fair play to him as he always supported his team mates, regardless of whether he was playing or not. Kudos to you Jay!

Yusef Weyer (Played: 17 matches, Minutes: 948, Goals: 0, Assists: 1)
What can I say about this monster of a player? Yusef’s size alone struck fear in many opponents this season. Opposition players did not want to challenge Yusef for the ball (neither would I). What Yusef lacks in skill (by his own admission) he makes up for in speed and determination to win the ball (and the player sometimes). Deployed in the defensive midfield area to protect the back 4 and that is exactly what he did. I did have to hide behind my pad sometimes when he raced into a challenge.

Hudhayfah Mohammed (Played: 21 matches, Minutes: 1307, Goals: 0, Assists: 1)
Huddy has excellent skill on the ball and great feet. Mike utilised Huddy in the midfield all season and on his day, a lovely footballer to watch. Huddy can make the game look effortless. I thought we would see some goals from him, but he is an unselfish player and has regularly provided the link-up play for goals, if not providing the final pass. A decent season nonetheless.

Owen (OJ, Rog, Juice, OB) Broughton (Played: 23 matches, Minutes: 1643, Goals: 8, Assists: 11)
Second highest number of goals and most assists says it all. Owen is a talented player who can certainly pick a pass and also has an eye for goal. What he lacks in height, he makes up for in tenacity and sheer determination. On his day, he can run the show from the middle of the park and has banged in some quality goals this season. More of the same next season please!!

Dylan Eatwell (Played: 24 matches, Minutes: 1421, Goals: 3, Assists: 8)
Not a regular starter in the early part of the season, Dylan grew and progressed to demand a start regularly from the middle of the season onwards. A dead ball specialist, Dylan can certainly deliver a decent ball from corners and free kicks. He collected 8 key contributions this season and has great vision to pick a pass out. Finally…what a goal against Chalfont Saints…35 yard thunderbolt..!

Ben Ballantyne (Played: 13 matches, Minutes: 551, Goals: 1, Assists: 0)
Ben joined the team in January, having previously been part of the Colts team a couple of years back. Ben enjoys playing out wide, using his pace to beat players and supply balls into the box. Ben has also been used up front with Kian. He scored his goal on his debut against Risborough in the cup and has been unlucky not to add to that tally.

Matt Holland (Played: 9 matches, Minutes: 527, Goals: 3, Assists: 0)
Another newcomer to the team, Matt joined in February and played in the final 9 games of the season. Matt slotted in well onto the right wing predominantly and supported Kai on the right side. He has pace in abundance and he knows where the goal is, banging in 3 goals this season. Matt also tracks back well to assist in defensive duties. Hope we get a full season from him next year.

Jake Benford (Played: 9 matches, Minutes: 262, Goals: 0, Assists: 1)
As his stats above suggest, Jake was not able to make many games this season, some through injury sustained in training. He played mostly on the wings or supporting up front and set up a goal for Zola in the first match of the season against Hale Leys.

Luzolo Melo (Played: 15 matches, Minutes: 996, Goals: 9, Assists: 7)
Probably one of the most frustrating players to watch as he has so much potential but tended to overplay the ball regularly, much to the frustration of the management team. Saying that, he had a huge influence on our results in the early stages of the season. Top scorer with 9 goals, including a hat-trick against Harefield and also having a major part in 7 other goals. Left the squad with 7 games remaining.

Ryan Western (Played: 18 matches, Minutes: 869, Goals: 2, Assists: 2)
Another player who has been hit by injuries this season, mainly his back which you can see is painful for him. Saying that, Ryan has played 18 games and scored a couple of goals. Mainly used on the wings to use his speed to get crosses into the box. Ryan scored a vital equaliser against Chalfont Wasps on the stadium pitch in April.

Adam Soley (Played: 13 matches, Minutes: 756, Goals: 6, Assists: 4)
Another player who joined this season with bags of potential. Deployed on the left wing or up front, Adam has a wand of a left foot and on his day, is a lethal weapon for Dynamos. Scoring 6 goals in 13 games is impressive and he had a hand in 4 other goals this season. His ability is clear to see, but wish we could have seen more of him this season.

Kian McMillan (Played: 9 matches, Minutes: 613, Goals: 2, Assists: 3)
Another late starter for Dynamos, Kian joined the team in February, having an immediate impact scoring 2 goals on his debut against FC Cippenham. We were lacking a striker and Kian fitted in up front very well. He was unlucky not to score anymore goals, but this will come with time as Kian looks decent up top, and with some coaching, will bang in goals next season for sure.

So, 6th in the league and we move onto U17’s or U18’s football next season depending on numbers. I would like to also mention a few others…
Mike has been at the helm again in a tough season and makes the decisions on the matchdays. Huge thanks to him for taking on this thankless task.
Tom and Craig (and me) have supported him where we can and I have enjoyed in immensely as usual.
Also, big shout out to our Linesman, Damo, for taking the flag come rain or shine (and with a hangover occasionally) and also for helping out at training and on matchdays. Craig and I enjoyed watching from a distance with our coffees…!
Finally to our loyal supporters who come along for a chat, coffee, bacon roll and to watch some half decent football as well (or are you mainly all a taxi services?).
Hope to see you all again next season !!!!