CUP VICTORY FOR DYNAMOS

Bedgrove Dynamos 4-1 Stoke Mandeville

Team: Mark Griffin; Josh Gray, Frank Blacher, Melton Vaughan, Tom Willis (c); Ellis Goodin, Stephen Lindsey, Taran Ashall, Matthew Fellows; Keith Mupfururirwa, Chris Shennan. Subs: Elliott Johnson, Justin Fielding, Callun Grainge, Callum Plews

On a chilly evening Bedgrove Dynamos and Stoke Mandeville lined up to contest the Marsworth Senior Cup Final at Tring Athletic's stadium. Both teams have had a tough route to the final, both over coming a penalty shoot out during their run. Dynamos defeating Elmhurst in the semi-final and Stoke Mandeville doing the same to Ludgershall in the 2nd round.
Stoke Mandeville started the match on the front foot and had some early pressure. An early tester saw Mark Griffin make a smart save and a couple of early tackles from Melton Vaughan kept Mandeville at bay.
Dynamos started to gain momentum after a frantic 5 minutes and Josh Gray in particular was seeing a lot of the ball at right back and making some great runs down the left flank, linking well with Taran Ashall and Chris Shennan.
On the left side Keith Mupfururirwa was also getting some joy as he outpaced the Mandeville defence and swung in a dangerous cross which just eluded Chris Shennan and Stephen Lindsey at the back post.
12 minutes on the clock and Ellis Goodin found Keith with a great ball and his pace took him into the area where a Mandeville player fouled him, penalty awarded by the referee. Chris Shennan stepped up to slot the ball past the keeper. 1-0 Dynamos.
Tackles were flying in and tensions rose with a couple of "meaty" challenges soon after the goal, resulting in a brief pushing and shoving match involving 10 players or so. The referee brandished 2 x yellow cards and the match re-started.
Mandeville then turned up the pressure in a scrappy 10 minute spell which saw them have two free kicks in quick succession. The first was well saved as Mark Griffin tipped it round the post for a corner and moments later another freekick was blocked by Tom Willis.
Dynamos ended the first half the stronger team. Stephen Lindsay and Matthew Fellows were both instrumental in holding onto the ball and creating the space needed. Chris Shennan also delighted the crowd with some quick feet and great ball to Stephen Lindsay and his shot was well saved by the Mandeville keeper. The resulting corner was swung in and Keith's header sailed over the bar.
With minutes remaining of the first half, Dynamos then doubled their lead. More excellent work from Matthew Fellows as he slotted the ball through the defence and Chris Shennan was on hand to calmly beat the keeper to get his, and Dynamos, second goal. Half time 2-0 Dynamos.
The second half started much as the first had finished. This time Taran Ashall playing in Chris Shennan again, but this time his shot was well saved. Another corner and another header from Keith went just over the bar. Dynamos were in control and the next goal would be crucial.
The next 20 minutes saw both teams creating half chances but a midfield battle ensued with both teams making interceptions and tackles to thwart the opposition.
68 minutes in and a Mandeville foul on Matthew Fellows resulted in a free kick 25 yards out. Chris Shennan, looking for his hat-trick, hit the ball low and hard but it was blocked. The ball fell to the feet of Matthew Fellows who sidestepped a challenge and smashed the ball home. 3-0 Dynamos.
Moments later Keith swung in a ball and Matthew Fellows rose above the defence and his header went inches wide.
Ryan Collings made his first substitution bringing on Dynamos favourite, Callum Grainge, into the middle of the park and he was straight into the action picking the ball up and playing Keith in down the right wing. His cross was partially cleared and Taran couldn't get his shot on target.
Mandeville, to their credit, kept going and trying to create chances and on 79 minutes, their clearest chance so far...and this time they took it beating Mark Griffin from close range. 3-1 Dynamos.
Dynamos stepped up their intensity again to gain control of the ball. Callum Grainge againt the architect as he played a great ball to the ever willing Josh Gray. He burst forward skipping over two challenges and hitting a superb cross and Chris Shennan almost converted it. Moments later Frank Blacher played the ball to Stephen Lindsay and his pinpoint cross found Keith in the middle. Some quick feet and a superb finish saw him get a well deserved goal. 4-1 Dynamos.
Elliott Johnson and Justin Fielding were brought on to freshen things up as Dynamos looked to wrap up the match.
The final action of the second half saw Justin play a ball over the top and Matthew Fellows ran through with just the keeper to beat. He lobbed the keeper but was too strong and it flew over the bar. Final score 4-1 Dynamos.
Mandeville put up a strong resistance early on but Dynamos class shone through in the end with great team performance. Some excellent performances this evening with Josh Gray and Matthew Fellows in particular having a major impact. Melton Vaughan was unflappable at the back. Chris Shennan was his usual class in front of goal and Man of the Match, Keith Mupfururirwa, was a constant threat all evening. Tom Willis lifted the cup and paid tribute to the opposition, Dynamos great cup run and remembered Luca Campanaro in his speech before lifting the cup !!!