Harpenden Town 3-0 AVDFC

Team: Dan McAteer; Dan Ball, Luke Nugent, Dan Wilson, Terry Griffiths; Paolo Bagatti, Dan Boeteng, Matty Chew, Alfi Touceda, Callum Shortt; Montel Brown

Subs: Paul Grigorescu-Adam, Joe Mistretta, Chris Shennan, Will Salmon, Davide Pobbe

After the euphoria of our first victory of the season, Dynamos faced top of the table, Harpenden Town, who Dynamos have never beaten and also never scored against, since becoming Aylesbury Vale Dynamos.
Within the first 3 minutes Dan McAteer was called into action as he saved well from a low shot down to his right. His long ball out fell to Montel Brown who lobbed the keeper but the ball went over the bar.
Quarter of an hour gone and a foul from Paolo Bagatti gave Harpenden a chance from a free kick, but again Dan McAteer was equal to the shot, saving easily.
Harpenden were having the lions share of possession and creating the chances, Dan McAteer was called into action again as Harpenden broke through, saving well with his legs as Harpenden continued to threat.
24 minutes and the pressure finally told as Harpenden crossed and their attacker finished well past Dan McAteer to make it 1-0 Harpenden.
Dan McAteer was also proving to be useful with his long balls as another one found its way through the Callum Shortt, he controlled well and hit a good shot which the keeper saved.
Alfi Touceda was then shown a yellow card for an apparent pull back, when it looked like a foul on him!? It was fair to say the referee was not having his best game…
32 minutes and a Harpenden cross sees a header beat Dan McAteer, bounce on/over the line, depending who you talk to, and eventually cleared by Dan Wilson. Harpenden players were adamant the ball was over the line, but both linesman and referee didn’t give it.
Minutes later a poor pass out by Terry Griffiths landed at the feet of the striker, through on goal, but his shot was palmed away superbly by Dan McAteer who had had a great start to the match.
Dynamos were creating a few chances and Dan Boateng played a great pass through to the ever-willing Matty Chew. He beat his man and crossed to Montel Brown who fired a shot just wide of the target.
Half time: Harpenden 1-0 Dynamos
Within a minute Harpenden had the ball in the back of the net…a cross from Harpenden was headed wide, but the ball crept through a hole in the net and of course the ball ended up in the back of the net. Harpenden players all jumped up and claimed a goal (not the best sportsmanship I have ever seen)…and the referee gave the goal. Dynamos players surrounded the referee and tried to explain…eventually he looked at the net and decided to award a goal kick…after 3 minutes of net repairs (discuss this later).
53 minutes and Terry Griffiths plays out from the back to Dan Boateng, he turns and finds Montel Brown through on goal but the ball just gets away from him.
A few minutes later and the “mouthy” No.7 for Harpenden received a ball and hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner, a great goal to be fair, and 2-0 Harpenden.
Harpenden were having the majority of possession again as they began to attack well. It as only down to Dan McAteer who made two more superb saves to deny Harpenden getting another goal. One save low to his left and another block with his legs. However he landed badly and looked injured with his shoulder.
63 minutes and Dan Boateng was replaced by new signing Paul Adam, coming into the left back position, moving Luke Nugent futher forward.
A few minutes later and Will Salmon was introduced, replacing Alfi Touceda in the middle of the park.
Paul Adam won a tackle and played a great ball over to Callum Shortt and he raced down the line, winning a corner. The corner was cleared well by Harpenden before Dan Wilson could get his head on it.
Final sub with 8 minutes remaining saw Chris Shennan come on for Luke Nugent.
87 minutes and the final blow…Dan McAteer raced out to challenge another through ball and took out the player with the referee having no alternative but to give a penalty.
Dan McAteer dived to his right, saved the penalty, but Harpenden reacted quickest and slotted the ball home from the rebound…shame…3-0 Harpenden.
Two silly late Yellow Cards for Dan McAteer and Montel Brown ended the match losing 3-0 to a decent Harpenden Town.