Some of our supporters may have been a tad nervous about this game having seen us suffer some disappointing results lately and we didn’t want to go 4 games without a win. It certainly hasn’t been down to poor form as we have played well in these games but we dropped points due to being unable to put our chances away. We also faced the added challenge of a tough A41 derby against an Aylesbury Vale Dynamos side that has had a reasonable start to the season and were successful in advancing to the First Round Qualifying in the FA Cup, something we failed to achieve this season, where they will have the daunting task of facing St Albans City, who play at 2 levels above us. They will have home advantage and can expect a large crowd and we wish them every success against the Isthmian League side.

Fortunately, our pre-game fears were misplaced as we found our shooting boots and ran out convincing 3 -0 winners with goals from Bailey Osborne, Harry Shepherd and Max Hercules who must like playing against Dynamos because between them they have now scored 11 of the 13 goals in the last 5 games (including this one) against our close neighbours. Shep and Bailey got 4 each and Max 3 with the other 2 goals coming from Frankie Hercules and Jack Harvey.

The first action of note came in the 14th minute when Bakary Lawrence slotted home a cross from the right but the goal was disallowed for offside. Three minutes later it was our turn to find the net and this time it counted when a clearance from Luke Peerless was collected by Harry Shepherd who sent away down the inside right channel Max Hercules whose shot was tipped away by goalkeeper George Zammit but Bailey Osborne was on hand to score at the far post. Score 1-0.

We were dominating possession but our opponents were well organised and occasionally looked dangerous down both wings although our keeper Freddie Boroughs was hardly called into serious action. In the 35th minute we hogged possession for a long period which led to a fine cross to the far post from Mason Clarke where Max Hercules headed just wide. The half ended with us deservedly holding a one goal advantage. HT Score 1-0.

Eight minutes into the second period we had a chance to stretch our lead when Shep instigated a move which led to Max beating the defender to the ball then slipping a pass to Bailey Osborne who was unable to convert the opportunity from close range. However, two minutes later we made amends when Frankie Hercules sent Bailey Osborne away into the box where he did really well to evade his marker then set up Harry Shepherd who slammed a shot past the keeper. Score 2-0.

In the 67th minute we extended our headroom to 3 goals when Skipper Jack Harvey won the ball which fell to Harry Shepherd who slipped a pass to Max Hercules who showed great skill to get away from 2 defenders and finish with a fine left foot shot into the corner of the net. Score 3-0.

Our guests came back strongly and in the 71st minute Eric Frunza produced an audacious long range lob that went just wide and then 2 minutes later his colleague Dave Brown struck a fierce long range shot that forced a super save from young Freddie Burroughs who tipped the ball over the bar. To their credit Dynamos kept going forward looking for a way back into the game and in the 80th minute Blaaze Frunza beat the offside trap but shot wide of the goal.

We looked in control and had opportunities to extend further our lead but George Zammit pulled off two great saves from Ed Haffren firstly in the 78th minute when Josh Chamberlain and Max Hercules set up Ed inside the area but the keeper stopped the goal bound shot with his outstretched right foot then in the 83rd minute Ed produced a fine volley after being picked out on the far side of the area by a pin point cross from Finn Rolfe which the keeper tipped over the bar. FT Score 3-0.

Max Hercules was given the Man of the Match award in recognition of his fine performance which included a goal and an assist.

A very good performance against a talented Dynamos side in a true local derby with just 11 miles separating the two clubs. We are 4th in the table 3 points behind Arlesey Town who are having a storming unbeaten start to the season with 6 wins and 1 draw. The League looks much stronger this season and competition for promotion is going to be intense but we have an exceptionally good squad (just one look at the subs bench in all our games is evidence of that) and we will be strong challengers this season. We are also developing a reputation for playing good football and we are certainly pleasing on the eye.

We are without a game on Saturday but face another local derby on Tuesday 26th August when we receive Winslow United at the Michael Anthony Stadium for another tough encounter.

TEAM
TA: Freddie Burroughs, James Kimber, Greg Deer, Frankie Hercules (Edwin Daffern 68), Luke Peerless (Finn Rolfe 68), Max Hercules, Jack Harvey (Capt). Dylan Fitzpatrick, Mason Clarke (Harry Jones 64), Bailey Osborne (Josh Chamberlain 64), Harry Shepherd (Harry Beaumont 68).

Scorers:

TA: Bailey Osborne (17), Harry Shepherd (55), Max Hercules (67)

AVD: -

Crowd: 166

Man of Match: Max Hercules