Team: Dan McAteer; Alex Mitchell, Will Mullarkey, Jack Hodgins, Terry Griffiths; Dave Brown, Alfi Touceda, Callum Shortt, Harry Scott; Jake Baldwin, Brian Haule

Subs: Montel Brown, Luke Nugent, Roy Byron, Gabby Adewolo, Matty Chew

Steve Bateman made one change to the winning line-up that faced Leverstock Green with Chris Stapleton out injured from that match, meaning that new loan-signing, and back for another stint at the club, Harry Scott was making his debut (this season). Unfortunately goalkeeper, Dan McAteer, had also picked up a thigh strain in the warm up and with no other keeper available, he had to put his gloves on an play through the pain.

Ardley came out of the blocks the stronger team and within a couple of minutes has already had a shot go just wide of the far post. 7 minutes and Ardley pushed forward again, a decent corner eluded everyone and Alex Mitchell managed to clear his lines. With 10 minutes on the clock, Ardley were presented with a huge opportunity. Jack Hodgins failed to control the ball and the attacker stole possession and raced through on goal. Dan McAteer made himself as big as possible and they hit the post with Will Mullarkey smashing the ball clear.

It was a sticky and heavy pitch and an innocuous challenge from Brian Haule saw an Ardley player needing treatment. Jack Hodgins collected a throw out from Dan McAteer and moved over the halfway line and he passed out to Callum Shortt on the right. Callum threaded a ball through to Jake Baldwin and his effort was just wide of the mark. 18 minutes in and Ardley were back on the attack, a good move from them saw a firm shot hit straight at Dan McAteer who saved well.

Moments later a challenge in the defence by Dynamos was adjudged to have been a foul and a penalty was awarded to Ardley. Not many complaints from Dynamos. It was all down to injured Dan McAteer to save the day, and he duly did, diving to his right and holding onto the ball in a great save. Over half an hour played and the unusually quiet Harry Scott burst into life with a great run and cross down the right wing which just eluded Brian Haule. On 40 minutes Jake Baldwin was pulled back 25 yards from the Ardley goal and hit a free kick himself which the keeper saved well. The ball fell to Brian Haule no more than 5 yards out but he managed to scoop the ball over.

Just before the half was over, Dan McAteer saved well as Ardely forced a corner. The ball was swung across and Terry Griffiths cleared the ball with Dave Brown completing the clearance.

Half time: Dynamos 0-0 Ardley

The second half began with Harry Scott and Jake Baldwin combining well and Harry Scotts cross was met by Brian Haule but the keeper grabbed the ball. A minute later and Ardley were attacking and broke through the offside trap but they failed to capitalise and the ball went harmlessly wide. 56 minutes and Callum Shortt had a shot on target when he controlled a ball to him by Jake Baldwin. Dynamos were on top in the middle part of the second half and Brian Haule and Jake Baldwin combined well in the middle but couldn’t get a shot off. 80 minutes and Steve Bateman made his only substitution with Montel Brown coming on for Callum Shortt.

Ardley finished the match stronger and on 84 minutes a cross was met by a volley which went over Dan McAteers bar. Ardley thought they had finally broken the deadlock on 86 minutes when a shot was partially saved by Dan McAteer but the ball was heading over the line only for Will Mullarkey to come steaming in and clear the ball with inches to spare. Dave Brown had Dynamos last chance when he won the ball on the right and swung in a cross which almost crept straight in as it looped over the keeper but grazed the bar.

Final score: 0-0