Written by James Smith
Photo by James Smith
Dunstable Town 0-0 Crawley Green
SSML Premier Division
Saturday 30th November 2024
This local derby proved to be less than attractive in a frustrating day for Dunstable Town at Creasey Park on Saturday.
After two weeks without a game Town looked rusty as they attempted to return to the good form that preceded the MK Irish defeat.
They had Alex Desmond to thank for gaining a point after he was adjudged to have fouled an opponent late in the game but did extremely well to save Jake Kissiedu’s spot kick.
It was a game that never really sprang into life as both teams lacked quality on the ball.
Crawley Green had the better of the first half and probably should have had a penalty in the opening minutes but the referee decided otherwise.
Kissiedu had the first effort on target in the 14th minute but his header was easily gathered by Desmond.
Both sides became frustrated with some of the inconsistent decisions by the man in the middle throughout the game as the flow was constantly interrupted or fouls went unpunished.
Desmond did superbly well to deny Sam Gibson midway through the half before Josh Adeyileka had the ball in net for the visitors but he was clearly offside and play pulled back for the infringement.
On the half hour mark Dunstable had their first chance of the game when Luka Lodder played in Sam Ezenwaka but he shot narrowly wide.
Adeyileka then shot over just before Kissiedu should have opened the scoring but shot high and wide when in acres of space.
Crawley Green ended the half with another shot over the bar as Town found it hard to get going.
The home side came out with much more intent for the second half as Kodi Briggs made George Zammit save well in the 47th minute.
Ezenwaka had a great chance eleven minutes later but agonisingly shot wide with Zammit routed to the spot.
Crawley Green then had Brandon Carney sin-binned, which did nothing to help the flow of game as they resolutely defended the ten minute period out.
Ezenwaka was in the thick of the action again in the 65th minute when his effort was cleared off the line.
Lewis Smith had a shot blocked by Zammit as the game moved towards the last ten minutes but then Desmond was deemed to have fouled Adeyileka when he possibly clipped his own heels.
The Town keeper did brilliantly well diving to his right to save Kissiedu’s strike.
The game filtered out soon after with Shea Greene having the last effort on goal with four minutes left but it unfortunately missed the target.
Team: Desmond; James; Silford; L Smith; Ovington; Osborne; Hankins; Butt; Ezenwaka; Lodder; Briggs.
Subs: Mead; Kenna; Onu; Greene; Bircham.
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