AVDFC 1-1 Dunstable Town

Team: James Weatherill; Will Mullarkey, Alex Mitchell, Gabby Adewolo, Terry Griffiths; Dave Brown, Alfi Touceda, Callum Shortt, Jake Baldwin; Chris Stapleton, Brian Haule

Subs: Jack Hodgins, Montel Brown, Joe Chott, Roy Byron, Luke Nugent

35 days after the Dynamos last League match, with Covid related and weather related postponements, they were finally back playing League football. The Dynamos were unbeaten in the League in the last 5 games and Dunstable were unbeaten in all competitions in their last 8 games as two of the leagues “in-form” teams locked horns at The Greenfleets Stadium.

It was a sticky pitch and a few players were slipping and sliding around, but Dunstable had the best of the opening moments. Young Alex Mitchell was on hand twice in the early battles, to tackle and clear his lines and Gabby Adewolo also getting a vital touch to thwart a Dunstable attack. Just before the quarter hour mark, Alfi Touceda won a free kick 30 yards out and Jake Baldwin swung the ball in, finding the head of Brian Haule, who headed at the keeper.

Dunstable had a corner at the other end which was also met with a firm header but James Weatherill was equal to it.
With half an hour gone Will Mullarkey fizzed a long ball straight to Chris Stapleton and he controlled well, but was cynically take out…free kick Aykesbury. Jake Baldwin again the architect as his cross was headed over by Terry Griffiths. Chris Stapleton, playing against his former club, was getting on the ball more and he played a lovely ball through to Alfi Touceda, but he lost his footing at the vital moment, allowing Dunstable to clear.

With 5 minutes to go in the first half, The home side had a couple of half chances as a ball in from Callum Shortt saw Gabby Adewolo and Dave Brown both have a chance to head in, but resolute defending from Dunstable kept the score at 0-0. The best chance of the match saw Dunstable beat the offside trap. Their attacker rounded James Weatherill and hit a shot towards the empty net, only to find Alex Mitchell scampering back and acrobatically clearing the ball inches before the ball went in. Superb defending from Alex Mitchell. Just before the half time whistle, Dunstable had another chance, but this time James Weatherill can steaming out of goal and cleared his lines, getting a kick in the head for his troubles as well.

Half time 0-0

The first few minutes of the second half saw The Dynamos coming out the stronger. Brian Haule won an early corner which Jake Baldwin crossed in, Chris Stapleton rising the highest but unable to direct his header on target. 51 minutes and Jake Baldwin appeared to be fouled, but the referee didn’t give it, allowing Dunstable to counter attack and luckily their shot went harmlessly over the bar. A few minutes later and Dunstable came even closer to breaking the deadlock as their corner was headed against the Dynamos crossbar and Gabby Adewolo cleared the ball.

On the hour, Dave Brown played in Chris Stapleton and he hit a lovely cross field pass to the feet of Jake Baldwin. He skipped past a challenge and won a corner. The corner was cleared just before Callum Shortt could get on the end of it. 75 minutes and Steve Bateman made his first change. Jack Hodgins on for Gabby Adewolo in a straight swap in central defence. Chris Stapleton then had a trademark long throw, headed on by Terry Griffiths but no Dynamos player could get on the end of it.

Montel Brown then came on for the final 10 minutes, replacing Brian Haule. Dunstable were now on top as the final minutes played out. Jack Hodgins making a great block on a Dunstable shot and Will Mullarkey also flying into a tackle and winning the ball. Final sub on 85 minutes saw Joe Chott come on for Callum Shortt.

88 minutes and Dunstable capitalised on a slip, winning a corner. The ball was swung in but cleared by the home side. The ball fell to the young Dunstable midfielder who hit an absolute screamer from 30 yards out which flew into the back of the net, beating James Weatherill. Credit where credit is due, great strike. 0-1 Dunstable.

With 6 minutes of injury time remaining due to a few lengthy injuries (and subs), The Dynamos pressed forward but could not get that equaliser.The final seconds ticked over and a late late corner for Dynamos saw Jake Baldwin swing a super ball in which the Dunstable keeper came out to punch clear, only he managed to punch high, over his head, and into the goal…!!! GOAL Dynamos !!! That was the last kick/punch of the game.

Final score AVDFC 1-1 Dunstable Town