AVDFC 3-1 Arlesey Town

Team: Dan McAteer; Sam Austin, Jake Baldwin, Alex McGowan, Ben Gill; Alfi Touceda, Ben Stevens, Junior Gyamfi, Kevin Owusu, Lamar Mason-Williams; Dan Lambeth

Subs: Dan Wilson, Dave Brown, Charlie Jackson, Ollie Lemon, Luke Beckwith

After the victory at Dunstable last week, The Dynamos came into this match with the hope and expectation to continue their good form. Junior Gyamfi kept his place after a superb performance and stalwarts, Ben Gill and Captain, Ben Stevens, were both back into the starting XI. Aylesbury also had Dave Brown back from his suspension and started on the bench alongside Ollie Lemon, hoping for his debut.

Within the first few minutes Alfi Touceda made an important tackle in the centre of midfield but got a knock. It was going to be a tough battle as Arlesey were a big team. It was Arlesey that had the better of the first exchanges and Dan McAteer was called upon twice to come out and clear his lines, both times he was first to the ball.

On 19 minutes Ben Stevens played the ball wide to Dan Lambeth and he played in Junior Gyamfi who hit a great shot which was well saved. A couple of minutes later and Arlesey beat the offside trap and hit a cross which eludes everyone and harmlessly went off for a throw.Kevin Owusu was starting to get joy on the left wing and set up the next chance for Ben Stevens who stung the hands of the keeper from 20 yards out.

The Dynamos were battling well and Ben Gill went into the book for a foul on their centre forward. Moments later a strong challenge from Ben Stevens gave away a free kick but Arlesey soon knew that two Bens, were definitely better than one…! Jake Baldwin started well again at left back and went on a run playing a one-two with Alfi Touceda and hit a cross for Junior Gyamfi but his shot was blocked.

With half time approaching, the home side were on the front foot. Junior Gyamfi raced down the right wing and hit a lovely cross to Kevin Owusu at the back post and his shot bounced up and landed with Lamar Mason-Williams who calmly slotted the ball home. 1-0 Dynamos. Alex McGowan then picked up a Yellow Card for a foul and the last play of the first half saw Lamar Mason-Williams play Dan Lambeth through but he thought he was fouled as he went towards goal, but the referee disagreed. Half time: Dynamos 1-0 Arlesey.

A couple of minutes into the second half and the assistant referee saw an altercation and alerted the referee. He carded the Arlesey No.9 for raising a hand as the match started getting a little fractious. On the hour mark Alfi Touceda, who was getting on the ball more this half, threaded the ball through to Dan Lambeth but his shot went over the bar. Minutes later both Alfi and Dan had shots which were blocked by the Arlesey defence as The Dynamos pushed forward.

Lamar Mason-Williams then played the ball back to Ben Stevens who hit a rocket of shot inches over the bar. On 62 minutes Alfi Touceda moved forward on a great run as he headed into the Arlesey half, however the ball got away from him and he went into a rash tackle from the No.3 for Arlesey who went over the ball and straight into Alfi. It looked a bad challenge and the referee agreed, sending the No.3 off the pitch. Alfi was ok to continue but clearly looked in pain for a few minutes.

Dave Brown entered the field, coming on for Junior Gyamfi and a few minutes later Charlie Jackson came on for Kevin Owusu to freshen things up against the 10 men of Arlesey. On 76 minutes an Arseley attack was cut out by a great tackle from Jake Baldwin and the corner was cleared by Alex McGowan as Aylesbury tried to keep a clean sheet. With 10 minutes to go another Arlesey attack was stopped by Alfi Touceda who went into the book for a deliberate trip.

On 83 minutes Aylesbury finally got the deserved second goal. A long ball from Ben Gill landed at the feet of Dan Lambeth and he out paced the defence and beat the keeper from 10 yards out. 2-0 Dynamos. With 3 minutes remaining, Alfi Touceda made way for Ollie Lemon, who came on for his first appearance for The Dynamos. Within 2 minutes Dan Lambeth won the ball and squeezed it through to Lemon who beat his man and with his second touch for the club, beat the keeper to make it 3-0 Dynamos. a great introduction for the energetic midfielder. As the clock hit 90 minutes, Jake Baldwin lost out close to the Dynamos goal and the Arlesey player beat Dan McAteer from close range for a consolation goal.

Arlesey then won a free kick 25 yards out which was well struck, but Dan McAteer was equal to it making a great save as Arseley finished strongly.

Final score: Dynamos 3-1 Arlesey Town

Next up, we travel to Wembley on Tuesday night.