Downley Dynamos 2-1 AVDFC U16’s

Team: James Weatherill; Luke Nugent, Jake Baldwin, Jack Aldridge, Terry Griffiths; Dave Brown, Alfi Touceda, Callum Shortt, Joe Chott; Chris Stapleton, Ollie Lawford

Subs: Roy Byron, Ivan Otono, Jude Guest-Brainch, George Armstrong, Dan McAteer

It is fair to say that with 7 losses and 3 draws in the last 10 League games, there was an air of uncertainty and also optimism, that Dynamos would get a much needed league victory against London Colney, occupying 19th position in the league, without a point in 11 league matches.

Within a couple of minute Dynamos had the first chance. Jake Baldwin swinging in a corner which was met by Chris Stapleton, but headed wide.
London Colney then had their first attack of the match a few minutes later. They crossed the ball and it wasn’t dealt with by the Dynamos defence and London Colney struck early placing the ball past James Weatherill. This was an early blow and the nerves were evident in the team. 0-1 London Colney.

It was the visitors who looked lively for the period after the goal. James Weatherill coming out to clear a through ball and Jack Aldridge on hand to head clear.
10 minutes in and Luke Nugent picked up a loose ball and played a delightful ball over the top to Chris Stapleton and he ran through but the keeper made a decent save.

Alfi Touceda then won and took a free kick which Dave Brown reached, he controlled well but his shot was deflected wide. Dynamos were now on top, but couldn’t find a goal.

Another Alfi Touceda free kick from the halfway line went straight to the head of Terry Griffiths but he headed inches over on 20 minutes.
Before the half hour mark James Weatherill punted a long ball forward, Ollie Lawford glanced it on and this time Chris Stapleton found the target…but was called offside. So close. Another chance was soon coming, this time Callum Shortt finding space on the left wing, he found Alfi Touceda and he touched it through to Jake Baldwin who rifled his shot wide of the mark.

36 minutes and Jake Baldwin was fouled 20 yards out and he took the free kick himself, curling it around the wall and inches wide of the far post. It was all Dynamos…but London Colney still led.
Just before half time, Jake Baldwin, again the provider, hooked a ball over the defence and Joe Chott raced through but the keeper again made a decent save.

Half Time: Dynamos 0-1 London Colney

The first chance of the second half fell to Jack Aldridge as he rose the highest to meet Jake Baldwins corner but the keeper saved. It was all Dynamos and a pinpoint cross from Jake Baldwin found Chris Stapleton unmarked in front of goal, he stooped low and headed inches over, injuring himself in the process, but carried on.

Jake Baldwin was unstoppable and another gutbusting run saw him fouled on the left wing. He hit his free kick to the back post where Chris Stapleton volleyed home a fantastic goal….offside…! Dynamos could not buy a goal at the moment.
Dave Brown then had a shot whistle past the post as he latched onto an Ollie Lawford pass.

FINALLY, on 61 minutes, Alfi Touceda, with some quick feet, was taken down inside the box. No complaints, and a stonewall penalty. Ollie Lawford coolly slotted it home to give Dynamos a well-deserved goal. Dynamos 1-1 London Colney.
65 minutes and Jack Aldridge pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury and was immediately replaced with Roy Byron who went straight into the heart of the defence.

72 minutes and another penalty. Callum Shortt collected a ball from Dave Brown and raced into the box, getting upended by the defender and another obvious penalty.
Callum Shortt wanted to take it, but Ollie Lawford stepped up confidently and again beat the keeper to give Dynamos the lead. 2-1 Dynamos.

With 10 minutes to go it looked as though Dynamos would get another goal as the shots rained in from a corner. Ollie Lawford had his shot blocked, the ball fell to Chris Stapleton but the keeper saved well and it fell to Callum Shortt and his shot hit the side netting. All Dynamos.
87 minutes and another goal from Chris Stapleton chalked off for being offside. Ollie Lawford raced clear and crossed for Chris Stapleton who had gone seconds to early.

Less than a minute later and Roy Byron sprayed a ball out Dave Brown who raced off down the left wing. Ollie Lawford was free in the middle and Dave Brown’s pinpoint pass saw Ollie Lawford volley home for a well deserved hat-trick. 3-1 Dynamos.
Ivan Otono and Jude Guest-Brainch were introduced with a few minutes of injury time remaining and Terry Griffiths still had time to pick up a Yellow Card, but the game ended with a much needed victory.

AVDFC 3-1 London Colney