Arlesey Town 2-2 AVDFC
After the disappointment of last weeks last minute equaliser by Newport Pagnell, the Dynamos travelled to Arlesey Town for another League match. The Dynamos were 14th and Arlesey 17th at the start of play. Phil Granville was forced into a number of changes with Jack Elsey suspended and then an accident on the A1(M) causing three Dynamos players to arrive late and start on the bench.
The first meaningful attack of the match was after 3 minutes when Alfie Gaspar found Jacob Troughton-Smith free, but he volleyed wide of the mark. Moments later Bruno Brito went close with a free kick, won by Alfie Gaspar. Arlesey then had a great chance from a corner, which was headed onto the bar and Dan Wilson managed to clear the ball.
On 7 minutes Arlesey made the breakthrough with a well worked goal as they had a man over in the box who tucked the ball away past James Weatherill. 1-0 Arlesey. The wind was having an effect on proceedings with both teams struggling to get a foot on the ball. Both teams created a couple of half chances but the defences were resolute with their defending. Derek Feyi and Craig Carby both making some good interceptions. In fact it was Craig Carby who had an opportunity from a Harry Scott corner, heading over on 24 minutes.
25 minutes in and Derek Feyi made what appeared to be a superb tackle, but the referee pointed to the spot. The linesman and opposition player both looked confused, no one appealed, but the referee still refused to change his decision. The spot kick was converted to make it 2-0 to Arlesey and a difficult task ahead for Aylesbury.
A few minutes later Keith Mupfururirwa had some joy down the left wing and fizzed in a low cross, but it was just too far in front of Alfie Gaspar. On 41 minutes Joe Fitzgerald won a free kick. Harry Scott curled the ball into the box and Dan Wilson was inches away from connecting with it. With a couple of minutes to go to the break, Arlesey then broke through again, the striker hit his shot against the bar and James Weatherill blocked the rebound to make an important save before half time.
Half Time Arlesey 2-0 AVDFC.
Aylesbury started the second half looking lively but needed to find a goal. With 49 minutes on the clock Joe Fitzgerald found Alfie Gaspar free and his first time shot lacked the power to beat the keeper. Dan McAteer was having a lot of the ball at right back and pinged a superb long cross field ball to Derek Feyi who had stayed up from a corner, he controlled it and unleashed a great shot which the keeper tipped over the bar. The away side were getting closer.
On 58 minutes Aylesbury finally found the back of the net. Bruno Brito was fouled and a free kick awarded 25 yards out on the right hand side. Bruno Brito stepped up himself to hit a trademark free kick, over the wall, and straight into the top corner. Another superb free kick from the master ! 2-1 Arlesey.
A few strong challenges from both teams ensued in the next 10 minutes with 3 Yellow cards (Craig Carby & Dan McAteer for the Dynamos) and then in the 62nd minute Joe Fitzgerald was sent to the Sin Bin for 10 minutes which put the pressure on the away side. On 63 minutes Derek Feyi moved forward with purpose, beating a couple of players and hitting his shot over the bar. Then Bruno Brito found Keith Mupfururirwa, who was still getting some joy, and his cross was just too far for Harry Scott to reach.
On 71 minutes Arlesey broke the offside trap but James Weatherill sprinted out of his goal and just got the ball in time with the ball hitting his shoulder with many shouts for handball ringing around, the referee didn’t agree and the Dynamos cleared their line. Very close call.
With just over quarter of an hour remaining Phil Granville put on two youngsters in Abu Khan and Jake Baldwin, who replaced Keith Mupfururirwa and Harry Scott. A few minutes later Jacob Troughton-Smith came off and Lewis Merriden came on. On 77 minutes Arlesey had another chance, again James Weatherill made a quality save and Dan Wilson was on hand to clear the ball.
Jake Baldwin was deployed on the left side of the front three and he took on his player and laid the ball back to Derek Feyi. He controlled the ball and swung in a great cross which was met by Bruno Brito and his header whistled over the bar. The match entered injury time and Abu Khan won the ball and laid it back to Alfie Gaspar who hit a rocket against the cross bar and Arlesey cleared. Was that the last chance for the Dynamos…? Moments later Aylesbury won a corner and this really was the last chance saloon. Bruno Brito curled in a low cross which eluded everyone, including the keeper and ended up in the back of the net. Scenes of jubilation from players and fans alike as the Dynamos got a well deserved equaliser.
Final Score 2-2.