Oxhey Jets 4-5 AVDFC

Team: James Weatherill; Kuda Sangoya, Will Mullarkey, Jack Hodgins, Terry Griffiths; Dave Brown, Alfi Touceda, Jake Baldwin, Callum Shortt; Aaron Berry, Chris Stapleton

Subs: Luke Nugent, Brian Haule, Montel Brown, Paolo Bagatti, Roy Byron

After 2 wins on the bounce, Steve Bateman names an unchanged team for the trip to Oxhey Jets. The weather was certainly going to be a factor as Storm Arwen took hold. We had strong winds causing havoc for both keepers, driving sleet…turning into snow and freezing temperatures.

The first chance of the match fell to Oxhey, who were attacking into the wind, as a shot went over James Weatherills bar. 7 minutes in and the first real chance, Callum Shortt played in Jake Baldwin, with only the keeper to beat, he stuttered and then the opportunity went as his shot was saved. The ball rebounded out to Aaron Berry who couldn’t get a shot away. Moments later Alfi Touceda collected a reverse pass from Dave Brown but his shot was not strong enough to beat the keeper.

Callum Shortt, playing on the right, hit a lovely cross field pass on 17 minutes which was inches away from Chris Stapleton connecting. Dynamos, with the wind, needed to take advantage of the weather conditions. 19 minutes and Dynamos thought they had the breakthrough. Terry Griffiths hit a long ball through to Aaron Berry who flicked it on to Jake Baldwin who calmly slotted it home, only to see the offside flag raised. Unlucky. A couple of minutes later and Aylesbury were in front..and what a goal it was. A cross from Callum Shortt was punched clear by the keeper to the edge of the box where Chris Stapleton attempted and executed a stunning over head kick which beat the keeper into the far corner of the net. WOW ! 0-1 Dynamos.

Just before the half hour, Chris Stapleton won the ball and set Jake Baldwin clear on the left wing. He hit a great cross which Aaron Berry got his head on and the ball went just over the bar. Oxhey Jets did get forward in an end to end match and on the half hour mark got their equaliser as a cross was not cleared and their player scored at the near post. 1-1. Three minutes later and The Dynamos restored their lead. Chris Stapleton, again involved in the goal. This time he chested a long ball out from Jack Hodgins and passed the ball to Aaron Berry. He took a touch and rifled in a rocket of a shot which the keeper could not stop. 1-2 Dynamos.

The away side were on top and scored again minutes later. Dave Brown won a superb tackle in the middle, robbing the defender and moved forward into the box. Rather than pass, he decided to tip toe round a couple of defenders, leaving them behind him and rounded the keeper to slot the ball into the empty net…another superb goal. Captain Brown made it 3-1 to the Dynamos. Aylesbury were unlucky not to make it 4 before half time as Jake Baldwin curled a corner into the box and Chris Stapleton rose highest to head just over the bar.

Half Time: Oxhey 1-3 Dynamos

Within a couple of minutes The Dynamos, now playing against the strong wind, made it 4. Aaron Berry brought down a ball out from Terry Griffiths and passed to Alfi Touceda. He steered the ball through to Callum Shortt who raced clear of the defender and curled round the keeper to score another classy goal. 1-4 Dynamos. Will Mullarkey picked up a knock and was replaced by Luke Nugent moments after the goal.

53 minutes and Oxhey were not beaten…they cut in on the Dynamos right side and hit a great goal into the far corner of James Weatherills goal. 2-4 Dynamos. 56 minutes and the Oxhey keeper mis-kicked a clearance which fell straight to Chris Stapleton. He coolly took the ball round the keeper and passed it into the net as Dynamos scored again !!! 2-5 Dynamos. The game was not done as the wind was still a huge factor. 65 minutes and Oxhey raced clear but James Weatherill was equal to it and saved well. Luke Nugent making the final clearance.
With 20 minutes to go, Oxhey got another goal. A cross went over the defence but their striker was on hand to smash it home. 3-5 to Dynamos. 73 minutes and Brian Haule came on to replace Aaron Berry up front.

Jack Hodgins was a tower in the defence and was on hand to make a tackle and clear another Oxhey ball as Dynamos were hanging on to their 2 goal lead. Just as the 90 minutes were up, Oxhey won a free kick and hit a great ball into the box but Terry Griffiths was there to thump his header clear. Not sure how the referee was adding the time on, but in the 94th minute, Chris Stapleton was adjudged to have fouled an Oxhey player and given a Yellow Card. After a few handbags, the free kick was finally taken, and somehow sneaked over the wall and into the back of the net. 4-5 Dynamos. The final whistle arrived in the 97th minute and Dynamos ran out 5-4 winners in a thrilling encounter.