Arlesey Town 1-0 AVDFC

Team: Dan McAteer; Paul Adam, Luke Nugent, Jack Hodgins, Jon Munday; Dave Brown, Alfi Touceda, Davide Pobbe, Davis Haule, Callum Shortt; Jake Baldwin

Subs: Montel Brown, Dan Ball, Roy Byron, Dan Boateng, Matty Chew

As the topsy turvy season continues at The Dynamos, the team arrived in Arlesey after a decent 2-0 away win at Dunstable, and looking to continue the good form. Steve Bateman made a couple of changes with Paolo Bagatti injured and Charlie Ogle unavailable. Jon Munday was back in the starting line up and a welcome return to new Assistant Manager, Davis Haule, who pulled on the shirt for the first time since February 2019 (Uxbridge – Away) to marshall the team on the pitch.

With less than two minutes gone, Paul Adam played a ball over the top to Jake Baldwin but he was called offside as he was through on goal. Callum Shortt, who has been impressive recently, was then on the end of a Dave Brown cross but his volley was wide of the mark. 10 minutes gone and Arlesey have their first sight of goal but Dan McAteer was ready and leapt to his left to deny a goal. Jack Hodgins clearing the ball before any Arlesey player could get to it.

18 minutes and the only goal of the game. A mix up in defence between Dan McAteer and Jack Hodgins saw the Arlesey striker accept the invitation to pounce on the ball and smash it mast Dan McAteer. 1-0 Arlesey. Aylesbury almost had an instant reply as Davide Pobbe played through Jake Baldwin, his shot beat the keeper but was cleared off the line. Unlucky not to equalise. Another attack was coming and Callum Shortt beats two players and sets Davide Pobbe. His low effort looked destined for the net but the keeper saved well and the rebound fell to Callum Shortt but his shot went across the face of the goal and wide.

33 minutes and the strangest decision…Jake Baldwin ran onto an Alfi Touceda through ball and the keeper grabbed the ball but was pushed by his own player and held onto the ball outside of the box. Red card all day in my book…? Referee gives The Dynamos the free kick but no other action taken…?! Jon Munday hits the free kick low and the ball is deflected wide for a corner. Callum Shortt takes the corner and Jack Hodgins volleys over. 38 minutes and Davide Pobbe won the ball in the middle and found Jake Baldwin. He swivelled and hit a first time shot which the keeper palmed away.

Just before half time, the Arlesey no.9, who was the best player on the pitch, broke through with only Dan McAteer to beat. He chipped the ball over him but Macca got a slight fingertip to the ball, and it bounced inches wide for a corner. To be honest…should have been 2 easily.

Half time: Arlesey 1-0 Dynamos

The start of the second half saw the same combination as Paul Adam moved forward down the left flank and swung in a cross which Jake Baldwin couldn’t control and it bounced through to the keeper. 51 minutes and a ball out from Jon Munday is met with a deft header on by Davis Haule and Alfi Touceda was through, he chipped the keeper but he managed to get a vital touch and the ball was cleared by Arlesey. Alfi Touceda was then taken down again and this time he was unable to continue. Steve Bateman threw on Montel Brown, back from injury, up front with Jake Baldwin moving out to the left wing.

65 minutes and Dan Ball was introduced for Paul Adam as the match hit a stale patch with neither team really getting forward. With just over 20 mintues remaining and Dan McAteer jumps and is clattered by their striker. Dan McAteer has a cut on his head but continues to play making a great save from the resulting corner. Arlesey were attacking well in the final quarter and only a sliding tackle from the impressive Jack Hodgins blocked another shot on target.

The best chance of the game for away side came with just 10 minutes remaining. Davide Pobbe, who had been creating chances throughout the game, sent Jake Baldwin through on goal. He beat the keeper to the ball and overhit his shot as it went inches over the bar. 81 minutes and another Dynamos old boy, signed last week, came on for Davide Pobbe. Roy Byron was back where he belongs, in a Dynamos shirt. A few minutes after his introduction, Roy Byron sent Jake Baldwin down the right wing and he fired a low cross, straight across the 6 yard box, but no Dynamos player was there to convert. In the 90th minute The Dynamos won a corner which Callum Shortt curled in and Dave Brown rose to flick the ball on, just past the far corner of the goal.

Final score: Arlesey 1-0 Dynamos