Dynamo:-
1. Finn O'Brien
2. Ryan McLaughlin
3. Richard Fox
4. Ben Dale
5. Adam Dolman (c)
6. Guy Cooper
7. Dan Stanley
8. Vinny Hallifield
9. Dominic Saneria
10. Connor Betteridge
11. Ben Stanley

Subs:-
12. Nathan Cook (on for Betteridge, '60)
14. Morgan Johnson (on for Fox, '45)

Scorers: Hallifield (67, 75)

Assists: D.Stanley, McLaughlin

Venue: Anthony Gell School
Attendance:
Referee:

As the season drew to a close on a sunny afternoon in Wirksworth, Dynamo manger Greg Salisbury was in jovial mood, seen treating his players to a pre-match beverage at the Hope & Anchor public house in Wirksworth town centre. Before the game, the much anticipated “Crossbar Challenge” took place. However, the same turned out to be the source of much embarrassment, with no-one managing to put the penalty area in any danger, let alone the crossbar! A second round was ordered from a closer distance. New father Ben Dale managed to flick the underside of the bar, but from a distance of 6 yards, everyone expected him to!

On to the game itself; Melbourne started well enough and fashioned several chances and seemed in total control without really getting over second gear. Ben Stanley had the ball in the net after 20 minutes after a good move by Dynamo, only to be flagged offside. Against the run of play, on 35 minutes, the Wirksworth right winger and best player on the day scored with Wirksworth's only real shot of the game. A corner taken by the right winger was headed back to him only for him to take a touch and unleash a venomous effort from an acute angle that gave O'Brien no chance. O’Brien making his debut for Dynamo couldn’t believe the audacity of the player to take the shot on in the first place.

Melbourne seemed to be affected by Wirksworth’s good fortune and struggled to string passes together thereafter, especially Fox who had a tough battle with the impressive Wirksworth winger, let alone the demons that surround his personal battle with alcohol addiction.

At half time, Fox made way for Morgan “Ian” Johnson, who was making a comeback after several months away doing nothing with his Saturday afternoons. The second half didn’t start well for Dynamo, and it looked as if the game was slipping away from them. In one last roll of the dice, Greg Salisbury introduced substitute Nathan Cook. Remarkably Nathan, who has never played up front in his life, came on and went up front in a 4-4-2 system. Salisbury’s switch paid off, and Nathan Cook changed the game for Dynamo. On 67 minutes, the ball found its way out to Dan Stanley on the right, who raced past his marker, and delivered a low cross which the Wirksworth keeper made a pig’s ear of, spilling to the feet of Hallifield. From 5 yards out, the goal gaping, Hallifield couldn't have wished for an easier goal all season, as he side-footed the ball into the empty net, bring Dynamo back on to level terms.

After the equaliser, Melbourne gained control of the match. On 75 minutes, a Ben Stanley corner was powerfully met by McLaughlin, who headed towards the goal, only for Hallifield to redirect it from inside the 6 yard box, turning the ball into the net, making it 2-1 to Dynamo. A pure poachers goal from Hallifield, who made it 17 goals in his most illustrious season in a Dynamo shirt.

In the final 15 minutes, Melbourne stood up well to the Wirksworth backlash, with the defence and the now deep-lying midfield throwing themselves into every challenge and block. Notably Guy Cooper twice went down with a head injury; a fitting consequence of his agricultural efforts.

A less than impressive game all round by both teams, but a win to end a season that has had some high and low points. However, with every player under 30 on Saturday, the signs for the future look positive for Salisbury’s team next year. A new captain and centre half will be on manager Greg Salisbury’s wish list, as Heanor-bound Adam Dolman still won’t be pushed on where he’ll be plying his trade come August.