Match Report: FC Romania 0-2 Dunstable Town

Written by James Smith

Photos by James Smith

Dunstable Town got their first win of the season with a workmanlike and deserved win against FC Romania to lift them off the bottom of the league.

Town haven't got the results their efforts deserved in many of the games so far but scoring the opening goal for the first time helped their confidence and gave the team something to build on during the 90 minutes.

The Blues started in style and took the lead in the 6th minute when Luca Lodder broke away down the left and crossed for Sam Ezenwaka who's shot was saved by Dren Hoti but the ball fell to Mason Davis who crashed a shot high into the roof of the net to give his side the lead.

FC Romania responded well with a shot that almost crossed the line ten minutes later but it was cleared by the Town defence.

There was little goalmouth action as the game turned into a midfield battle until the 36th minute when Alex Desmond, in the Town goal, easily dealt with shot from range.

The hosts ended the half well. Zenon Styliandes forced Desmond into a fine save, tipping his free kick over the bar. Then right on half time another free kick just missed the target.

FC Romania started the half where they left off when Flávio Kyem shot over the bar in the 52nd minute.

Town manager Steve O'Reilly made two changes on the hour when Alex Ward and Mason Davis, who have both been short of match minutes of late, were replaced by Ethan Goulding and Shea Greene.

Desmond then made another fine stop down low to his right but Town took control again, pressing higher, trying to create the second goal, which came in the 76th minute.

A fine move ended with Lewis Smith playing an inch perfect pass to Lodder who finished superbly past Hoti.

Town celebrate their second goal of the game.

Town defended with determination putting in blocks and last ditch tackles to make sure they kept their first clean sheet.

FC Romania did hit the post though when a shot that seemed to take an age to find direction, ended up kissing the post before being cleared with four minutes left to play.

In injury time they had a long range strike go well over as Town got things right at critical times in the game whether in attack or defence to get the points.

Credit must go to O'Reilly who made substitutions at the right time, recognising that some players were tiring and introducing fresh legs to kick the team on again.

The long awaited win finally came after a frustrating start but the players stuck with it through those tough times and deserved the positive result.

They travel to Biggleswade United on Saturday in the league.

Team: Desmond; Kenna: Williams; Smith; Ovington; James; Ward; Butt; Davis; Lodder; Ezenwaka.

Subs used: Goulding; Greene; Briggs; Onu.

Sub not used: Hatton