Team: Dan McAteer; Luke Nugent, Rio Deall, Harvey Matthews, Terry Griffiths; Harry Loakes, Tom Kennard, Callum Shortt, Joe Chott, Josh Boorn; Ollie Lawford

Subs: Prince Nimoh, Abu Khan, Tom Shaw, Jack James, Jack Aldridge

Another cup match for Dynamos, this time the local Berks & Bucks Senior Cup, against another Step 5 team, Wokingham & Emmbrook.
Easty and Liam made a significant number of changes, due to the upcoming FA Cup match away at Yate Town on Saturday, allowing a number of players to get their chance to shine for the 1st team.

It was an even start to the match with both teams not managing a real shot on target for the first 10 minutes or so. However, Wokingham managed this in the 10th minutes after a goalmouth scramble which saw their player hit the target and the ball slipped through Macca’s grasp and into the net.
0-1 Wokingham.
In the 18th minutes Wokingham really should have been 2-0 up as a clear chance was sent wide of the post somehow. The match was turning into a midfield battle and neither team were really penetrating the opposition defence. Kennard was breaking up the play well for Dynamos, with Griffiths and Matthews at the back clearing anything that got through. Dynamos first proper effort was from Shortt as he collected a ball from Boorn and hit his shot wide of the target.

Ten minutes before half time and some good work from Boorn saw him set the ball for Lawford who unleashed a 35 yard thunderbolt which stung the hands of the keeper. The corner was cleared by Wokingham. Minutes later and it was Chotty who tested the keeper as he was sent through by Loakes, but again the keeper made a great save, tipping it over the bar. This time Boorns’ corner was met by Matthews but went over the bar. Dynamos pushed for the equaliser but another save from Shortt with Boorn the provider again.

Half Time: AVDFC 0-1 Wokingham & Emmbrook

Dynamos were straight on the attack and a cross from Nugent was headed wide by Chotty in a good opening few minutes to the half. Could Dynamos rally ANOTHER second half charge and overturn the deficit. A couple of early subs were sent on to see if they could change the dynamic of the game. Abu Khan and Prince Nimoh were introduced, replacing Shortt and Chotty.

Quick answer was yes…Khan’s first involvement was to play a one-two with Kennard and stick a great cross onto the boot of Lawford who calmly slotted it home. Great goal. 1-1, Dynamos back in it. 57 minutes and Dynamos were in the groove…a long, pinpoint ball from Macca, landed at the feet of Prince and he jinxed his way into the box but his shot was blocked for a corner.
62 minutes and Dynamos thought they had the lead. Another rocket of a shot, this time from Loakes. The keeper spilled the ball and Prince smashed it home, but was in an offside position.

With 20 minutes remaining, it was Captain Griffiths’ time to shine. Another decent Boorn corner was swung into the back stick where Griffiths was on hand to head a bullet effort home. 2-1 Dynamos. Harry Loakes was subbed off and Tom Shaw came on to make his first team debut. Moments later Dynamos could have scored again. Kennards and Shaw opened up the pitch for Abu Khan to race through and the keeper made a decent save. Tom Shaw had an opportunity himself as he tried a long range effort which the keeper only just reached.
The game was put beyond doubt (so we thought) with 5 minutes to go. Some good work from Prince saw Lawford race through and a complete mix up with defence and keeper saw Lawford react quickest and lob the ball over the stranded keeper. Lovely finish and 3-1 Dynamos.

Jack Aldridge and Jack James came on for the final few minutes, replacing Luke Nugent and Terry Griffiths.Wokingham did manage to pull one back, lobbing Macca inside the box in the 93rd minute. It looked all over but the referee managed to add another 4 minutes as Wokingham pumped the ball into the box at every opportunity. Matthews and Deall both managed to block shots off the line to ensure Dynamos progressed to the next round.

Final Score: Dynamos 3-2 Wokingham & Emmbrook