Written by James Smith
Photo by James Smith
Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Tuesday 17th September 2024
After picking up seven points from their last three games Dunstable Town gave themselves the worst possible start in this fixture against Harpenden when they conceded after only four minutes in an unexpectedly flat first half at Creasey Park.
Kodi Briggs came in for Sam Ezenwaka while Jack James returned to the starting lineup in place of Melvin Onu. Joe Hankins took a place on the bench after injury.
The game was played in strangely quiet atmosphere despite the recent form with Town giving away a soft goal when Jisiaih Hilaire was found in acres of space on the right and calmly finished passed the exposed Alex Desmond.
Briggs tried to launch an attack down the left nine minutes later with a skilful run resulting in him cutting into the box but his shot was blocked.
Town struggled to string passes together as they became frustrated at conceding possession with unforced errors but they came close to scoring in the 25th minute when Luka Lodder's header across goal was intercepted just as a Town player was about to shoot and possibly bring the game level.
Briggs was then on hand to supply Ethan Goulding but his strike went over the bar minutes later.
Harpenden centre back Archie Locke volleyed just over with 37 minutes gone before they broke away on the counterattack before half time with former Blues player Danny Webb latching on to a pass and taking the ball to the byline before cutting it back to Jake Anthony to add the second goal.
Steve O'Reilly made two changes at half time bringing on Ezenwaka and Will Bishop for Mason Davis and JJ Kenna as Town looked to get back in the game.
Alex Butt took aim but his shot was easily saved by Liam Gauthier on 53 minutes then on the hour mark Ezenwaka drove into the area at pace but Gauthier was equal to his strike at goal.
Man of the match for the Blues, Lewis Smith delivered a fine free kick to the far post, which dipped just at the wrong time for Bishop as he was unable to control the ball as it came off his hip for a goal kick.
Webb shot over in the 66th minute before the lively Ezenwaka had another shot blocked for a corner, which was cleared.
The game was virtually killed off with fifteen minutes left when a snap shot from Hadley Gleeson just inside the area took a slight deflection and deceived Desmond before the ball flashed past him into the net.
Ezenwaka was again in the thick of the action when he headed the ball back to Shea Greene but he couldn't quite bring it under control and Harpenden were able to clear.
Lodder and Greene then had half chances before Hankins pulled a goal back in the 84th minute, finishing from close range to give his team hope.
Desmond kept the game alive in the last minute, producing a fine save after another Harpenden counterattack.
Dunstable were inches away from a second goal when Lodder headed to the far post where Greene was agonisingly inches short from scoring.
It was a much improved second half, which on another night could have led to the hosts taking a point from the game.
Team: Desmond; Kenna: Williams; Smith; James; Ovington; Briggs; Butt; Davis; Goulding; Lodder.
Subs: Greene; Ezenwaka; Bishop; Mead & Hankins.
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