Team: Liam Studley; Jake Baldwin, Harry Loakes, Jack Hodgins, Terry Griffiths; Dave Brown, Jamie Fulton, Prince Nimoh, Sam Wood, Abu Khan; Chris Stapleton

Subs: Ollie Lawford, Will Mullarkey, Callum Shortt, Joe Chott, Luke Nugent

After 2 victories Dynamos were up against newly promoted Stotfold on a stifling hot day in roasting sunshine, and it would prove an eventful afternoon for all.

The Dynamos were in a mix of Home and Away kits to avoid any clashes, started the game, but within 2 minutes a Stotfold attack saw them take the lead. Dynamos scuffed a clearance straight to their player who happily slotted past Liam in goal. 1-0 Stotfold.
Within a minute it looked like it would be a long day…Stotfold attacked down the Dynamos right and the cross was met well by the unmarked player. 2-0 Stotfold.

In the 5th minute, it could have been three as another Stotfold effort cleared the bar and then a few minutes later a Jamie foul saw Stotfold with a freekick 20 yards out but Studley saved well. Dynamos finally started to settle after quarter of an hour but another piece of skill from their handy No.7 saw the ball fizz across the box, luckily missing everyone. At the other end Prince started to see more of the ball and he made his way into the box and appeared to be fouled, but nothing given. With the drinks break a welcome relief for Dynamos, they were back out and starting to play football. Abu and Sam were starting to get on the ball and Stapes was unlucky with a decent header on 25 minutes.
Less than 10 minutes of the first half left and Jamie hit a lovely pass out to Prince and he controlled well but his cross was blocked and Jamie hit a shot well over from the rebound.

38 minutes and a Stotfold ball forward saw Liam race out of his box and go for a header with the opposition forward, both clashed heads (made an awful sound) and fell to the floor. Both players needed treatment with the Stotfold player being subbed and making his way to hospital. Play resumed and almost immediately Stotfold played a ball over the top and their player reacted quicker than Liam and beat him to the ball, lobbing it over him into the empty net. It was clear Liam was struggling and Dynamos had no option but to take him off, Ollie Lawford on to take his place up top. Stapes was asked to don the keeper jersey and went into goal. There was still time for Hodgins to make a decent block on a shot from Stotfold and at the other end unleashed a decent effort which their keeper saved.

Half time: Stotfold 3-0 AVDFC

Dynamos needed to come out fighting, and that is exactly what they did. An early corner for Dynamos was cleared but the ball fell to Ollie who whipped in a lovely cross to find Hodgins free, he headed past the keeper. Great goal. 3-1. Stotfold were a threat on the break and some great goalkeeping from Stapes saw him come out and dive on the ball, beating the Stotfold player.

61 minutes and Dwyer made another change, Will Mullarkey making his first appearance this season replacing Harry Loakes at right back. Within a minute Stotfold thought they had scored but the linesman called him offside. It was certainly a different half and Dynamos were looking threatening. Jamie was pulling the string in the middle and his ball out to Brown allowed Mullarkey to race forward. He collected the pass and swung in a cross which found Wood in space and he calmly beat the keeper to make it 3-2.
72 minutes and Prince Nimoh is subbed off and Callum Shortt comes onto the right wing.

Stotfold broke well from a Dynamos attack and a long ball was superbly dealt with by Brownie who cleared his lines well. A few moments later and Stotfold thought they had a goal. They worked the ball well into the centre and hit a lovely shot which rattled the cross-bar and over. Lucky escape…sure Stapes said he had it covered…! Sam then had a chance for Dynamos but the ball was blocked on the line and Stotfold cleared as Dynamos were on top and looking for the equaliser.

83 minutes and Stotfold should have wrapped it up. A decent corner wasn’t dealt with and the Stotfold sub ballooned his shot high and wide from 8 yards out. As the match entered what was to be the last minute (90+3) Dynamos were still applying pressure. Jamie played in Terry who was acting as a forward in the dying minutes, and he hit a great shot which was saved. The ball bobbled around and another shot looked like it was going in, only for the Stotfold defender to clear under his cross-bar with a bicycle kick. The linesman said the ball was not over…it was close, very close…but the final whistle sounded and Dynamos just failed to find the vital equaliser.

Final Score: Stotfold 3-2 AVDFC