Aylesbury Vale Dynamos 1-4 Ampthill Town

Team: Dan McAteer; Jaydon Rico-Rice, Paolo Bagatti, Terry Griffiths, James Young, Charlie Ogle; Will Salmon, Tom McElroy, Matty Chew; Jake Baldwin, Chris Shennan
Subs: Will Foley, Jamie Carter, Jack Elsey, Adrian Dinham, Archie Clarke, Jaspal Rait

The first friendly of the season saw Phil Granville with only 3 or 4 original first team players available for the match. This gave him the opportunity to look at a number of new and potential players.

The first meaningful attack saw Charlie Ogle win a corner and he swung the ball in but was well cleared. Matthew Chew then battled well and won the ball in the middle, spreading it wide to the nippy Charlie Ogle but his cross was blocked. 5 minutes in and Ampthill had their first attack, Dynamos failed to clear the ball and a simple cross and tap in saw Ampthill take the lead. 0-1.

Ampthill then had a few minutes of pressure with a corner and a great chance which Dan McAteer steamed out of goal and cleared his lines.
11 minutes and Charlie Ogle was again proving difficult to play against as he went on a great run down the left flank but the ball was again cleared. Jordan Rico-Rice was put under pressure soon afterwards but Terry Griffiths was there just in time to nick the ball of the attackers foot before he pulled the trigger. Ampthill had a couple of golden opportunities to increase their lead but Jordan Rico-Rice did just enough to thwart one shot and the other went just wide of the far post.

21 minutes and Dynamos were on the attack. Tom McElroy played the ball wide to James Young who had switched to the left side and he swung a cross to the back post which was inches away from Matty Chew connecting. Before half an hour was up another decent run from Charlie Ogle saw him pick out Chris Shennan and his shot went wide of the mark. Will Salmon and Matty Chew combined in the middle and Matty Chew sent a ball through to Tom McElroy who was clear but his shot went wide.

At the other end Ampthill hit a decent cross but Paolo Bagatti was on hand to head the ball clear with an attacker lurking. The best chance of the half for Dynamos came from a trademark long ball from Dan McAteer as he picked out Jake Baldwin. He raced through as the keeper came out and he chipped the ball over the keeper and inches wide of the mark. Half time 0-1.

Phil Granville made a couple of changes at half time bringing on Will Foley and Archie Clarke, replacing Paolo Bagatti and James Young. 48 minutes and Charlie Ogle went on another good run but was upended on the edge of the box. Referee decided to award a penalty. Tom McElroy stepped up and calmly slotted it into the corner. 1-1.

Less than 5 minutes later and Ampthill were back in front. A ball down the Dynamos left eluded the defence and the winger hit a low hard cross which hit Jordan Rico-Rice and went passed Dan McAteer. 1-2. 55 minutes and a great move from Dynamos almost saw an instant equaliser. Archie Clarke moved forward and played a superb ball to Will Foley and he sidestepped his marker and played in Chris Shennan. His shot was well saved by the Ampthill keeper. Unlucky from Dynamos.

57 minutes and Jamie Carter came on for Jordan Rico-Rice. Five minutes later and Ampthill looked to have sewn up the game with a well worked goal to make it 1-3. It was yet another great run from Charlie Ogle that set up the next chance for Dynamos. He played a square ball to Jake Baldwin and his shot curled over the keeper and just over the bar.

67 minutes and Matthew Chew was taken down 25 yards out and Jake Baldwin stepped up to hit the free kick. It went low and hard, but the keeper was equal to it and saved well. With just over 20 minutes remaining the final subs were made. Jack Elsey, Adrian Dinham and Jaspal Rait came on for Matty Chew, Will Salmon and Chris Shennan. Charlie Ogle then won a free kick and decided to take himself. He fizzed a rocket of a shot at the keeper who punched it over the bar.

Ampthill then went up the other end and sealed the victory with another goal. 1-4. Quarter of an hour left and Terry Griffiths slotted a great ball through to Jamie Carter who spun his man well and hit a low shot wide of the mark. The game was effectively over and the last remaining minutes saw no clear chances and Ampthill saw out a solid 4-1 win over Dynamos.

We go again on Tuesday 13th July against AFC Dunstable.