Written by James Smith
Photos by James Smith
A second consecutive goalless draw for Dunstable Town but this game showed a lot more quality than the previous game seven days ago.
They can count themselves unfortunate not to have taken all three points after Harrison Mead’s superb strike crashed off the post in the second half.
Conditions were difficult for both teams with a strong, swirling wind throughout plus a dry pitch, common at this time of the season, making it hard to play attractive football especially in the first half.
Alex Butt remained sidelined through injury but Sam Ezenwaka returned from his time on the sidelines to take a place on the bench. Finbar King and Will Bishop came into the squad after unavailability.
Former Town player Joe Sellers-West had the first opportunity in the 9th minute but Alex Desmond did well to get down to his left and push it round the post.
Eight minutes later Scott Belgrove was next to try his luck but his shot was high over the bar.
The Blues were finding it hard to create with Liam Hayden isolated up front for much of the half and the conditions making it difficult to thread passes to him.
Photo: Liam Hayden found opportunities hard to come by in difficult conditions.
On half hour mark Solomon Hamilton shot wide for the hosts.
Just before half time Arlesey almost took the lead when Desmond punched away a cross but it only fell to Hamza Mezou whose effort was cleared off the line by Jamie Ovington.
Dunstable started the second half well with Mead shooting from distance which Ollie Skinner dealt with well in the hosts’ goal.
In the 56th minute a fine move ended with Kodi Briggs firing narrowly wide of the far post before Harry Forde took aim but his tame effort went wide.
Photo: Kodi Briggs shoots narrowly wide.
Sellers-West shot over followed by another effort by a teammate that also saw the same fate.
Midway through the half Hamilton saw yellow and a sin-bin for dissent and Dunstable nearly capitalised on the extra man when Mead struck a superb, powerful curling effort against the post.
Photo: Harrison Mead’s strike hits the post.
In the 76th minute Jack James hit a great strike from 30 yards which Skinner did well to save and palm away for a corner.
With six minutes left Dion Miftari fired a free kick high over for Arlesey then Finbar King tried to beat Skinner, who had miss kicked the ball, from a long way out but he couldn’t get any height on the shot as the keeper easily gathered.
Town saw out a late free kick to pick up a point against play-off chasing opponents.
Team: Desmond; Kenna; Briggs; James; Ovington; Osborne; Goulding; Bircham; Hayden; Mead; Lodder.
Subs: Rickman; King; Ezenwaka; Bishop; Onu.
Attendance: 204 (45 away).
Town Man of the Match: Harrison Mead.
Photo: Steve O’Reilly and Richard Bulling talk tactics.