A well organised Dynamo put Reedham to the sword with some clinical finishing on the 3G pitch at Easton College. Reedham, who were not accustomed to the artificial surface, actually started brightly and were well into the game until a 3 goal blitz midway through the first half effectively killed the game off against a disciplined Dynamo team.
Reedham carved out a series of half chances in the opening minutes of the game. Jordan Castle’s excellent corner had eluded everyone bar Ricky Grimmer at the back of the box but the awkward bounce made his volley difficult to control and it blazed over the bar. Then a good passing move freed up Michael Mason on the left and his ball inside the full back for Jordan Castle to run onto, only just ran out of play as the forward line were moving in on goal.
Dynamo’s first bright move saw their left winger escape the attentions of Chris Sparrow and as he made it to the by-line his cross just escaped the onrushing forward as it flashed across Reedham’s six yard box. Reedham were back on the attack soon after as Chris Mahoney carved out a chance for himself. First he won a 50/50 header and followed it up by using the run of Jordan Castle to drive inside and towards the Dynamo area. The finish from 20 yards didn’t quite match the excellent run and drifted harmlessly over the bar.
Dynamo had soaked up a lot of pressure in their own half but a neat interchange of passes took out both centre backs, setting free the dynamo forward in a one on one with Ben Roat’s goal. The forward didn’t panic and tucked away his shot to the bottom left corner of the goal. Dynamo 1 – 0 Reedham
Reedham pushed again and a well worked move eventually saw the ball passed into Jake Lazell who teed up Dan Carter from just outside the box but his effort was weak and rolled into the waiting arms of the Dynamo keeper. A couple of free kicks cause slight panic in the Dynamo area as both were put out for corners, although Reedham couldn’t sustain the pressure.
In fact Dynamo had a spell of pressure themselves. First a rasping warning shot reigned in on Ben Roat’s goal but he did well to tip it over, injuring his finger in the process. Roat continued but was obviously in a lot of pain. However, he did his confidence no harm at all as he came out commandingly to claim the corner relieving the pressure temporarily. It was soon back onto Reedham though as a couple of nasty tackles from Sharman and James Cater pegged Reedham back towards their goal again.
Then Reedham were hit with a sucker punch. Losing possession deep in Dynamo’s half, a quick counter attack homed in on Reedham’s goal. Dynamo’s number 10 dropped into the hole to find space and despite the earlier warning, he shot with venom before anybody could close him down, the ball moving viciously in the air and deceiving Roat. Dynamo 2 – 0 Reedham
Roat then made a fine save when the Dynamo forward got in on goal again, spreading himself to smoother the effort. However, it was three shortly afterwards as more good interchange between the Dynamo forwards created another opening. This time the shot was tucked away inside the right hand post. Dynamo 3 – 0 Reedham
Injuries to Jordan Castle and Chris Mahoney meant earlier than expected outings for Will Overton and Chris Edwards on the left of the pitch. Reedham tightened up and had some good build up play with no real end product. Dynamo, three to the good, were now content to shut up shop and hit Reedham on the counter. They allowed Reedham space on both flanks which Reedham utilised, Edwards continuing to be an outlet as Overton’s runs committed the Dynamo midfield and right back. Likewise, Jake Lazell was having a tidy game on Reedham’s right and found space time and again but the space was being squeezed as Reedham closed in on the Dynamo goal.
Halftime: Dynamo 3 – 0 Reedham
The second half started brightly again for Reedham. Ricky Grimmer was working the channels well and providing a good outlet but Reedham couldn’t get in behind the Dynamo backline and were content to play with the Reedham forwards in front of them.
Dan Carter, Kieran Hunt and Michael Mason were starting to exert some control over the midfield and repeatedly fed the ball out the left and right wing backs and wingers. Reedham used the space afforded to Chris Edwards on the left to start a series of attacks. There were some neat and tidy interchanges between Edwards, Overton Hunt and Grimmer but the clear cut opportunities were hard to come by for Reedham.
Dynamo were now playing completely on the counter attack and happy to soak up the pressure Reedham were exerting. Reedham won a free kick in the middle of the park and Craig Sharman stroked the ball out to Edwards who sent in a searching cross but nobody gambled and the chance came and went. Another cross from the left again went begging and Dan Carter and Michael Mason had speculative shots that didn’t trouble the goalkeeper.
Then Reedham lost their talisman. Jumping for a high ball with the Dynamo forward, Craig Sharman landed horribly on the artificial turf and immediately shouted out in pain, his knee twisting beneath him. A reshuffle at the back meant that Josh Cox came on, shortly followed by Jordan Castle on for the tiring Will Overton and Jack Cronin taking the left back position of Chris Edwards.
It wasn’t long before Dynamo struck again. A defensive mix up between Josh Cox and James Cater allowed the tricky Dynamo number 10 a free run on goal and yet again he finished with aplomb, despite Ben Roat’s best efforts to keep out the cheeky chipped finish. Dynamo 4 – 0 Reedham
Chris Mahoney, now fully recovered from his earlier knock, came on for the frustrated Chris Sparrow and moments later Ricky Grimmer signalled to the bench that he needed to be replaced. Chris Edwards was sent on to lead the line. It wasn’t long before he had Reedham’s best effort of the match. Gambling on a flick on by Kieran Hunt, Edwards took one touch to control and then unleashed a half volley from thirty yards which was heading for the top corner of the goal. The goalkeeper back pedalled and just managed to pluck the ball out at the last moment.
More good link up play saw Chris Mahoney, Michael Mason and Chris Edwards combine to set Jack Lazell free but his effort flew well wide. Then Dynamo struck their fifth of the match. Their centre forward and man of the match took the ball on the run to outstrip the Reedham defence and slotted the ball into the far corner of Ben Roat’s goal, Roat exposed yet again in a one on one situation. Dynamo 5 - 0 Reedham
One final interchange on Reedham’s right saw Jordan Castle, Kieran Hunt and Chris Edwards work their way to the by-line where Hunt pulled the ball back for Edwards who had dropped into space on the edge of the box to fire in a shot on goal. However the tight angle always favoured the keeper and he dealt with it low down to his right hand post.
The final whistle blew, signalling the end of the match and despite the scoreline, Reedham were by no means completely overrun. The difference came down to a gelled team operating at this level for the fourth year, a steely organised approach and some clinical finishing from their centre forwards.
The fixture list has dealt Reedham a very unkind hand to start off the season. Reedham now move on to playing this season’s form team, The Middle Green, who have so far notched up 56 goals in four league and cup games. In effect, the best comparison would be to think of a really poor Premier League team, say a Man Unt, and give them Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea back to back to start off their season. Time to see what Reedham are made of!
