Melbourne Dynamo 5-0 AFC Normanton

After last weeks disappointing home defeat, the lads were back in action, this time at home to AFC Normanton. Back in goal after a 7-week layoff with a hamstring injury came Cox. Walmsley replaced Hughes at right-back , Moore, Gosling and Goodband replaced Peverley, Griffiths and Bickerton.

The game started with the home side on top, with limited attacks coming from the away side it seemed only a matter of when, not if, the first goal came for Dynamo. Patience was needed, and with 30 minutes gone the breakthrough came. What seems to have become a trademark this season, the ball was won high up the pitch and Jones released Withers down the right, his pinpoint cross was met by Goodband at the back stick to give us the lead.

It was 2-0 minutes later, as Gosling set Withers free and as the winger drove forward he dinked the ball over the oncoming keeper for his first goal since the cup win at Staveley Reserves on December 21st. Dynamo now firmly in control should’ve increased their lead, but Goodband and Muir were guilty of missing good chances.

Half-time 2-0.

It was felt that one more goal and it would be game-set-match. That duely came after 50 minutes, as Goodband raced through after a defensive mix up, he unselfishly squared for Withers to tap home his 15th goal of the season. To be fair to our opponents they were giving it a good go at the other end and definitely offered more than in the first-half. Defensively we looked more disciplined than the previous week which was more like it. Brown was getting forward at every opportunity, Dawson and Bodill worked hard for the clean sheet and it was good to see Walmsley start his first game since October 26th.

The 4th goal came out of nothing, as Goodband down the left flank let an early strike go that caught the away keeper cold. It was the left wingers 24th of a so far impressive season. Changes were made as Griffiths, Bickerton and Nkumrah replaced Goodband, Jones and Walmsley. Moore also starting his first game for 3 months looked good in the middle and Gosling covered every blade of grass. The icing on the cake came with 5 to play; Bickerton produced his trademark cruyff turn and hit a left foot shot that crashed in off the bar. It was the wingers 3rd goal in 5 games since the turn of the year - he’s proving a more than capable finisher of games when teams are tired.

Full-time 5-0.

Ironically it was our third consecutive 5-0 win over AFC Normanton, who despite the scoreline, gave a decent account of themselves. We haven’t got to wait long to face them again, as we travel to their place in a months time.

After the horror show of last week it was important we got back on track with 3 points and we did that. Onto next week and another home game against Bakewell Town.