Photo: Alex Desmond makes a fine save from Kieran Turner.
Written by James Smith
Photo by James Smith
Dunstable Town 1-1 Tring Athletic
SSML Premier Division
Saturday 28th December 2024
Dunstable Town picked up a point against a strong Tring Athletic side who had been in great form despite the recent loss to Harpenden Town, coming into the match at Creasey Park.
The Blues were missing several players including Tom Silford, Melvin Onu, Liam Hayden, Shea Greene, Joel Odei-Larbi and JJ Kenna while Joe Hankins made his 50th appearance for the club.
New signing Finbar King from Wormley Rovers started on the bench.
Town got off to a great start when they were awarded a penalty with four minutes gone when the ball jumped up in front of the unfortunate Tring keeper Josh Ameganvi with Harrison Mead nipping in only to be brought down by the keeper.
Luka Lodder stepped up and scored the spot kick with calmness to end his short spell without a goal.
Tring didn’t let the set back phase them as they went on the attack straight away with the Dunstable backline having to put in several blocks to keep shots at bay.
The visitors were on the front foot with Max Hercules shooting over in the 25th minute followed by an effort by Ben Kakembo that was easily saved by Alex Desmond.
On the half hour mark Desmond produced a fine save to deny Kieran Turner by tipping his shot round the post.
Tring should have scored three minutes before the break when several close range shots were blocked including a point blank stop by Desmond in a mini-scramble around the six yard box
Desmond was called into action again to deny Max Hercules right on half time with another fine save.
Tring carried on from where they left off in the first half with shots over from Max Hercules either side of a strike from Jack Harvey that was straight at Desmond.
In the 57th minute Sam Ezenwaka came close to double Town’s lead but narrowly shot wide.
Frankie Hercules made Desmond dive at full length from a free kick before the visitors levelled the match five minutes later when Kakembo’s touch hit Alex Butt on the knee, as the ball fell kindly to (Frankie) Hercules who found the net from close range with looping header over Desmond.
Town went on the offensive with Hankins and Mead shooting just wide of the post in succession.
In the last ten minutes Max Hercules shot over before Noah Butler’s effort also went high and wide of the goal.
Ethan Goulding made Ameganvi save well in the last few minutes but both teams had to settle for a point, Town’s third straight draw in a row in the league.
Team: Desmond; Bishop; Lodder; L Smith; Ovington; Osborne; Hankins; Butt; Ezenwaka; Mead; Bircham.
Subs: James; Goulding; Howgego; Carr; King.
Attendance: 302.
Town Man of the Match: Harrison Mead.