AVDFC 8-1 Holmer Green

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

Subs: Montel Brown, Brian Haule, Roy Byron, Gabby Adelowo, Dan McAteer

After three straight wins, The Dynamos were full of confidence going into this match with Holmer Green. The teams met on the first day of the season and ended up 3-3. Within a minute Holmer had a chance as Terry Griffiths slipped on the pitch allowing their striker through on goal. James Weatherill came out and did enough to put him off as he missed the target. 4 minutes in and a ball out from Jack Hodgins was taken down by Chris Stapleton and he in turn fed the ball through to Jake Baldwin and he slotted the ball past the keeper. 1-0 Dynamos.

The next 10 minutes saw Dynamos take control of the match. A couple of good chances went begging as Callum Shortt played in Jake Baldwin but his shot was wide and a few minutes later Dave Brown found Jack Baldwin and his turn and snap shot was saved by the keeper. 20 minutes and some good play down the left from Will Mullarkey saw him beat his player and find Chris Stapleton who curled a great effort but the keeper was equal to it, keeping Holmer in the game. Aaron Berry then collected a ball from Luke Nugent and set up Callum Shortt who hit a lovely shot but again the keeper saved. Holmer then had a chance gifted to them as Terry Griffiths underhit a back pass but again James Weatherill made a superb save and Jack Hodgins cleared up.

On the half hour mark the vital second goal arrived. Alfi Touceda picked up a loose ball from a Dynamos corner and fed the ball out to Jake Baldwin, he curled a lovely cross where Jack Hodgins was still lurking and he headed past the keeper. 2-0 Dynamos. A few minutes later and Dynamos should have been out of sight. Aaron Berry sent through Jake Baldwin and his shot was superbly saved and the ball came straight out to Callum Shortt and his shot was somehow blocked when it looked easier to score. Less than 5 minutes of the half and Aaron Berry went up for a challenge with Holmer Captain, Ben Booker and the Holmer player landed awkwardly. A few minutes of treatment from Dynamos physio, Steve Hoare, and the stretcher was called into action. Play was stopped for about 10 minutes whilst both teams dealt with Ben to make sure he was comfortable and an ambulance called. It was a serious hip injury. Play was resumed to finish the first half.

Half time: Dynamos 2-0 Holmer Green

The second half was delayed as an Air Ambulance landed on the adjacent pitch to pick up Ben. The first 10 minutes of the second half saw a slightly subdued match as both teams failed to get a foot hold, Holmer were also clearly missing their captain, and hoping he was ok. 55 minutes and Jake Baldwin picked up a pass from Chris Stapleton and curled a decent effort which the keeper palmed away and was cleared.
Play was then suspended again as the referee picked up a hamstring injury. Director of Football, Ryan Collings, stepped in to run the line and the linesman took control in the middle. With 30 minutes still to play, Dynamos took control…! Alfi Touceda was pulling the strings in the middle and he sent Callum Shortt free down the right, he swung a lovely ball into the middle where Aaron Berry was there to steer it home. 3-0 and it looked like game over…!

A few minutes later and it was 4. Jake Baldwin and Alfi Touceda combined well and the latter hit an unstoppable shot over the keeper and into the net. Great finish and deserved goal. 4-0 Dynamos. Callum Shortt, who was everywhere, then set up Chris Stapleton, but his shot whistled over the bar as Dynamos looked unplayable. 69 minutes and Dave Brown went on a run and hit a shot which the keeper palmed away, straight into the path of Jake Baldwin who happily smashed it home. 5-0 Dynamos. Sub: Jake Baldwin came off after his goal and Montel Brown came on.

A couple of minutes later and Holmer Green got a goal back as Dynamos couldn’t block the shot and it beat James Weatherill at the near post. 5-1 Dynamos. 76 minutes and the second change saw Brian Haule replace Aaron Berry up front. With 10 minutes left, Montel Brown won a corner which Callum Shortt took, curling an effort in towards the goal and hitting the crossbar and out…unlucky not to be 6 ! Another corner was soon won and another Callum Shortt cross saw Chris Stapleton hit the cross bar and over. 83 minutes and some more good work from Alfi Touceda as he found Dave Brown, he ran into the box and was taken down…Penalty !! Callum Shortt was bursting to score and was adamant he wanted the penalty. Dave Brown agreed and Callum blasted it home. Great penalty. 6-1 Dynamos.

Alfi Touceda sat out the final few minutes as Roy Byron came on to see out the game. A minute later and Dynamos were in seventh heaven as Holmer Green failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to Captain Dave Brown who side footed home from the edge of the area. 7-1 Dynamos. With the last attack of the match, Chris Stapleton wriggled free but was badly fouled on the far side outside the box. Callum Shortt stepped up, curled an effort in towards goal, over the keeper and straight into the back of the net. Another superb goal. 8-1.
Final score 8-1 to the Dynamos.