Mens Reserves sneak past Coaches

Dynamos Res./1st 5-4 Dynamos Coaches

Teams:
Dynamos Res: Ryan Collings; Justin Fielding, Taran Ansall, Euan Hutchings, Callum Hutchings; Callum Grainge, Josh Gray, Jack Davis, Ryan Barton, Frank Blacher, Tyler Mentiply; Arron Russell, James Hefford, Matt Cato

Coaches: Tom Bamford; Andy Bradley, Nick Mantle, Kieron Bowman, Mike Borrett, Dave Cordell; Vinny Iannone, Craig Baker, Mark Cox, Rilwan Lasoye, Ben Sullivan, Ben Stevens, Chris Turney, Iain Willcocks; Ady Rennie, Dave Harrington, Matt Smith

It was a warm, almost muggy start to the day and Aylesbury FC was a hive of activity as the Dynamos Mens Reserves team (plus a few first teamers) lined up against a "gaggle" of coaches from the youth/mini soccer teams. Putting this into perspective, the coaches had never played together and were expected to get thrashed by their younger and fitter counterparts.
Ryan, Manager and now acting Goalkeeper, had promised that we could have one of their keepers for our team, but, alas, that didn't happen. The Coaches team, managed by Chairman Mike Borrett, were forced into putting Tom Bamford in goal, at least for the first half.
The first 10 minutes were close as both teams tried to play the ball around. Dynamos were calm in possession and were trying to pass their way through. Coaches team were finding their positions, but an early chance fell to Matt Smith (not the QPR one) who scuffed his shot wide.
Within a few minutes Dynamos had wrestled control. Josh was causing problems with his pace and he worked the ball through to Justin who calmly found the net beating Tom at the near post. 1-0 Dynamos. This was going to be tough.
However, the Coaches had a couple of secret weapons...well, I say secret, Ben Stevens is well known round these parts and was orchestrating the midfield superbly, whilst having a dig at the ref at every opportunity...! Also, Ben Sullivan was clearly a quality player and was linking well with Ben. Coaches also started with Mark and Vinny holding the middle, in front of the defence and they were providing great cover.
20 minutes in and a period of possession saw Ben Sullivan find Ben Stevens in the middle of the pitch, shrugging off one challenge, he popped the ball over the defence for our oldest player (probably) to run onto. Dave sprinted forward and hit an audacious lob over the helpless, portly, Ryan and it nestled in the back of the net...surely goal of the day already. 1-1.
The coaches were getting into their stride, Kieron, Nick and Andy were steady at the back and Matt was...well up front somewhere, but not on the floor which was a bonus.
Suddenly Josh decided to go on another one of his mazy runs, the coaches stood back and watched, rather than tackle him, and he waltzed into the area and beat Tom with ease. 2-1 Dynamos.
Within minutes Ben S and Ben S caused havoc in the area and the defence conceded a penalty...correct decision. Ryan was calling for Iain or Mike to take the penalty...but Mr Cool...Mark Cox stepped up and sent Ryan the wrong way. 2-2.
With 10 minutes of the 1st half remaining, there was still time for Iain to mug Callum Grainge in the middle and set up another attack. Also coming on for his cameo role, Chairman Mike also entered the fray, and danced his way round Arron on the left side to clear his lines.
Half time 2-2.
Second half started and Dynamos were certainly looking to up the tempo. James, Matt, Callum G, Euan H were all on for them and started passing the ball around nicely. It wasn't too long before they took a deserved lead. This time it was a young 18 year old Ryan Barton who strolled through and banged in a goal. 3-2 Dynamos.
Then...one of the funniest moments I have seen...Mike was shouting instructions from the side and told Kieron to watch Josh. "Goalside Kieron, keep an eye out"...or words to that effect...Kieron was cool..."I know, I know...he is right....there....???". Josh was played through by Jack Davis in the middle and was off...Kieron was in hot pursuit...well...pursuit. To his credit, he gave him a 5 yard start and only ended up 15 yards behind him.
Dynamos were now having the lions share of possession and Tom "Bamo" decided that he wanted them to have a two goal advantage. Euan Hutchings picked up a loose ball and smashed a good shot towards the goal. Tom decided to fumble it and let it slip through his fireman hands into the goal. It is fair to say Tom was a little frustrated. 4-2
With Ben Stevens now working higher up the pitch, the coaches lost the edge in the middle but looked ok up top. In fact it was Ben that collected a pass from Ady and smashed the ball past the keeper and made it 4-3....this was a close match.
Callum Grainge was screaming for support and consistency from his team...nothing unusual there then...but they responded and soon the referee had a nightmare and gave a penalty to Dynamos. Surely not...!?!? The penalty was a "thunderstrike from 12 yards" (guess who wrote that description?) from none other than 1st Team Manager and now outfield player, Ryan Collings. Although the view from the sidelines was that Tom got a hand to it and was unlucky not to save it. 5-3 Dynamos.
With 12 minutes left on the clock Mike made a decision to get Tom out of goal and give him minutes on pitch. Matt Smith was deployed in goal, which to all Tuesday night regulars....was ridiculous !!!
Craig Baker and Iain came onto the pitch, along with Chris "wheres the ball" Turney to add...well not sure what they added. However, a cross from Ben Sullivan was cleared and Iain was on hand to smash a volley just over the bar (it was just over...!!!). That would have been goal of the game...!
The coaches were now piling on the pressure and could sense a comeback. Moments later, Rilwan and Ady combined to send Ben Stevens down the left flank. He beat his man and sent a pinpoint cross onto the head of the inrushing Tom....BANG...what a goal. 5-4 and 5 minutes left to salvage a draw.
David Cordell and Vinny were now at the back and cleared their lines well. Dave Harrington was on to add more firepower up front as the coaches took control. A shot from Ben Stevens was saved and another attempt from Dave went over. Surely they would get the goal. In the dying seconds of injury time another corner was cleared, again to Iain, who swivelled and hit his shot inches wide.
The final whistle sounded and a 5-4 victory to Dynamos.

The coaches team had a great game and thanks to the Dynamos team for the game. Vinny and Ben Stevens provided quality when needed. Andy was sturdy all match at the back also. Matt Smith....CLEAN SHEET...!!! Kieron was solid when called upon and what a goal from Dave Harrington, U13's Youth Manager. Calm finish from Mark Cox with the penalty and a quality header from Tom Bamford. There were a number of good performances...too many to mention, apart from Mike's pick of Man of the Match...Ben Sullivan. He ran all match, calm on the ball, great touches...SIGN HIM UP !!!