Finbar King threatens the Cranfield defence.
Written by James Smith
Photo by James Smith
Dunstable Town 0-2 Cranfield United
Friendly
Saturday 11th January 2025
As the winter freeze continued to disrupt the league campaign for many, Town arranged a friendly against Cranfield United on Saturday on the 3G pitch at Creasey Park.
The weather continued to play a factor during the game with freezing fog making conditions hard at times especially the last quarter of the match.
Steve O’Reilly used the fixture to give valuable minutes to many including recent signing Finbar King and Liam Hayden who has missed a lot of games due to suspension and pre-planned holiday before he signed in late November.
The Blues got off to the worst possible start conceding within seconds with a poor goal.
They responded well though but were limited to possession more than shots until the 21st minute when Luka Lodder’s strike was well saved by the impressive Karl Daley in the United goal.
Daley would prove to be a thorn in the side of Dunstable throughout the game, making some fine stops including another one from Lodder four minutes later. Soon after, Alfie Osborne headed over from a corner.
The visitors doubled their lead just after the half hour mark with a well taken finish.
Hayden was then denied by Daley as he palmed his shot over the bar on 41 minutes with King then shooting over just before the break.
A number of changes were made for the second half as the weather turned for the worse with limited visibility and temperatures plummeting.
Ten minutes into the half King had an effort blocked by the United defence then Ethan Goulding was denied by Daley with yet another save.
On 70 minutes King and Jack James were foiled by Daley as Town were dominating.
Goulding then headed over before Harrison Mead’s shot was saved by the forcefield that was Daley, who wasn’t finished there as he then made a great save to deny Goulding as the game entered added time.
Dunstable were doing everything but score and the game was summed up when James hit a delightful curling shot past Daley which crashed off the bar and fell the wrong side of the line.
A strange game in a sense as Town could have scored many times but whether it was a lack of conviction, the brilliance of Daley or Lady Luck it was a game they could have won easily given the possession and chances created.
Alex Desmond had two saves of note in the game as Dunstable will feel frustrated with their conversion rate at the other end.
Cranfield are a good side and should finish higher in their league than they currently sit.
The game was marred by a serious looking muscular injury to Will Bishop who needed treatment for several minutes.
Match squad: Bishop; Bircham; Briggs; Butt; Carr; Desmond; Goulding; Hankins; Hayden; Howgego; James; Kenna; King; Lodder; Mead; Onu; Osborne; Ovington.
Man of the match: Karl Daley (Cranfield).
Attendance: circa 100.
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