Tring Athletic 4-1 AVDFC

Team: James Weatherill; Luke Nugent, Will Mullarkey, Jack Hodgins, Terry Griffiths; Dave Brown, Matty Chew, Callum Shortt, Jake Baldwin; Ollie Lawford, Brian Haule

Subs: Ivan Otono, Joe Chott, Davide Pobbe, Roy Byron, Daniel McAteer

Without a win in 5 matches (3 draws, 2 losses) Dynamos were determined not to make it 6 without a win as they took on local rivals, hovering just above relegation, Tring Athletic. Alex Mitchell, Alfi Touceda and Chris Stapleton were still missing but Bateman put out a strong squad for the match.

With just over a minute gone Dynamos were in front. Dave Brown guiding a lovely pass through the centre where Callum Shortt ran through and slotted the ball home. 1-0 Dynamos. Looked like it would be a joyous night….how wrong that assumption was… In the 11th minute Dynamos had another chance, Jake Baldwin crossed the ball and it fell to Matty Chew who had his initial shot blocked, but Tring managed to clear. Dynamos were on top and looking good.

Less than 15 minutes gone and Dynamos had 3 corners in succession. Jake Baldwin swung the first one in which was headed behind by Tring. Callum Shortt then had another cleared but the 3rd corner found the head of Brian Haule who headed straight at the keeper. Down the other end Tring had their first meaningful attack and a shot was saved with one hand by James Weatherill, but it spilled out to the Tring attacker who happily smashed it home. 1-1. Dave Brown was having his usual feisty encounters in midfield and was cynically tripped up before the half hour mark. The free kick was easily dealt with by Tring.

Tring were now on top and starting take control. A long range effort went a couple of feet over the bar and another effort was well blocked by Terry Griffiths as Tring threatened. Dynamos did have a half chance before half time when the Tring keeper and defender got mixed up with the defender heading over the out-rushing keeper, but Ollie Lawford just couldn’t reach the ball first.

Half time: Tring 1-1 Dynamos

In the 3rd minute of the second half Tring came out firing and a foul by Luke Nugent gave them a free kick in a dangerous position. Hodgins cleared for a corner which came in and a combination of Will Mullarkey and Dave Brown forced the ball away. 56 minutes and Tring were all over Dynamos. A great ball through saw their player hit a shot which James Weatherill managed to save well for another Tring corner. This time James Weatherill punched it clear and Luke Nugent completed the clearance. On the hour mark, Steve Bateman made an early substitution bringing off Brian Haule and on came Ivan Otono up front.

However, it was much of the same on the pitch as Tring pushed to take the lead. A decent cross was again punched away by James Weatherill and the ball was pumped straight back in, this time Jack Hodgins heading clear. Callum Shortt was then substituted and young Joe Chott came on for the final half hour. A few minutes later and a half chance for Dynamos. Will Mullarkey played a ball into the middle for Dave Brown who in turn slotted a great ball to Ivan Otono and his shot was well blocked. Ivan Otono then had another chance, this time Ollie Lawford finding him after good work on the right. However the shot was again blocked by good defending from Tring.

Jack Hodgins had picked up a knock and was replaced by Davide Pobbe with 17 minutes remaining. With 10 minutes of normal time left, Tring got the vital second goal. All their dominance finally paying off as they beat James Weatherill from close range. 2-1 Tring. Dynamos still created a couple of chances to get a draw. Davide Pobbe ran through on the left and was fouled. Jake Baldwin hit the free kick which Terry Griffiths met but the keeper saved.

Just before 90 minutes was up Matty Chew played a sublime ball through to Joe Chott who beat his man but lifted the ball just over the bar. There were 4 minutes injury time…which were a crazy 4 minutes. Tring scored a third goal as they broke through with Dynamos up the pitch. A couple of passes and an easy finish saw them make it a comfortable 3-1 win….this was not the case as from the kick off, Dynamos gifted Tring the ball and they went straight down and scored again….making the final score an embarrassing 4-1 loss.