AVDFC 2-4 Leighton Town

Due to the consistent rain and the fact that Haywood Way has been under water again, Leighton Town agreed to let us play the fixture at their ground. Both teams have played less games than others club in the League so it made sense to play it.

With a lack of defensive players available, Phil Granville needed to make some changes with Harry Scott and Jake Baldwin deployed as wing backs with a back 3 consisting of Ben Gill, Joseph Fitzgerald and regular, Derek Feyi.
Lee Wyatt continued in goal and The Dynamos welcomed back Alfi Touceda into the squad and starting line up.

Within the first minute captain Joseph Fitzgerald played a ball through to Bruno Brito and his first time effort looped over the bar. It was Bruno Brito who was looking the likeliest to open the scoring as Alfi Touceda then played him through but he had strayed offside.
6 minutes in and Leighton broke down the right flank, the cross was easily headed in to give them an early lead. 1-0 Leighton.
The next 10 minutes saw Leighton lay siege to the Dynamos goal and had Roy Byron and Joseph Fitzgerald to thank for clearances and Lee Wyatt made a quality save to keep the score at 1-0.
Lewis Merriden then mesmerised the Leighton midfield with some great skill and set Jake Baldwin down the left wing. He arrowed his shot across the goalmouth and just over the bar. Close effort.
17 minutes and Bruno Brito held the ball up well and threaded it through to Alfie Gasper who was inches away to making contact.
26 minutes and more Leighton pressure counted as their striker calmly beat Lee Wyatt at his near post to make it 2-0 Leighton.
Just over the half hour mark and Ben Gill played the ball to Alfi Touceda, he turned his man and set off forward only to be taken out badly by the Leighton midfielder. The free kick was within range for Bruno Brito and he stepped up and hit a good effort…the keeper had it covered until it got a deflection and went into the far corner. 2-1 Leighton…GAME ON.
Leighton has 2 more chances to increase the lead before half time, firstly Lee Wyatt made a save at the feet of their striker and then Joseph Fitzgerald cleared just in time to stop a certain goal.
Half time AVDFC 1-2 Leighton Town

The first action of the second half came in the 51st minute. Derek Feyi tackled well and played the ball to Lewis Merriden, he skipped past a challenge and sent a lovely ball to Harry Scott who overlapped down the right wing. He took one touch and hit a rocket of a shot, beating the keeper at the near post to make it 2-2. Fantastic goal and Dynamos were all level.
54 minutes and heartbreak again for Dynamos…a free kick to Leighton was crossed in and headed past Lee Wyatt, no chance for the keeper. 3-2 Leighton.
61 minutes and Leighton should have made it 4 a last ditch headed clearance from Jake Baldwin thwarting the attempt. Less than a minute later, a speculative shot from Leighton hit the crossbar and went behind…Dynamos were under severe pressure.
With 20 minutes to go, Joseph Fitzgerald made a great tackle but the opposition player pushed him over. Calls for a Red from Dynamos faithful but the referee said just a push and a yellow.
It was Jake Baldwin again who was on hand to clear next and took a foot in the face at the same time…freekick given and Jake was ok to continue.
83 minutes and Phil Granville made a triple substitution bringing on Kuda Batawo, Jacob Troughton-Smith and Abu Khan and taking off Alfi Touceda, Alfie Gaspar and Bruno Brito.
Leighton won a free kick on 7 minutes and the superb Roy Byron was on hand to clear with a well timed header.
Any thoughts of a late equaliser were quashed when Leighton scored from a late corner in the 89th minute to put the game beyond doubt.
They will be disappointed not have made it 5 as in injury time they were through again and a last ditch tackle from Jacob Troughton-Smith smashed against the post, rolled along the line and was cleared by Derek Feyi….another close call…!
Final score AVDFC 2-4 Leighton Town.