Former Prime Minister Harold Wilson is credited for saying that “A week is a long time in Politics” The very same thing could be said about Dunstable Town FC.
Seven days ago, the Team had got little change out of a well-organized and hard-working Harefield Utd side and lost four nil. Today, with eight changes to the starting eleven, Dunstable produced a five-star performance which lifted them off the foot of the table and into 18th place.
A much-improved performance on Tuesday night at home against Aylesbury Vale Dynamos in which Dunstable will consider themselves desperately unlucky not to have got anything from the game pointed to better days ahead.
It’s still early days and nobody is popping champagne corks but there was much to like and admire in Joe Deeney’s re-assembled side. Ollie Swain, signed on dual registration terms with Bedford Town, was given the Captain’s armband on his debut, which may have caused the raising of a few eyebrows, but Ollie’s Man of The Match performance fully justified the manager’s faith in him.
First-half debut goals from Joe Sellers-West & Grenadian International, Kwazim Theodore were enough to give the Blues the three points despite a spirited and determined performance from the home side.
Family run club, Broadfields Utd are an example of what a small group of people can achieve when the desire and determination is there. Their hospitality for visiting clubs is exemplary and a blueprint for clubs not just at our level but higher up the pyramid.
Having ground shared at Harefield Utd for a couple of years, they’re now back in the London Borough of Harrow and ground share with Rayners Lane FC in a wonderful new facility which while serving as a community hub also retained the atmosphere of a vibrant and lively clubhouse.
There were full starting debuts for Josh Page, Liam McCrohan, Ollie Swain and Joe Sellers-West, only “veterans” Dan Gould & Dan Trif remained from the side that had last got three points, beating Tring Athletic on the 21st September.
There was early pressure from the home side, and it understandably took Dunstable, playing in their away kit of red and black, a little time to settle but having coped well with Broadfield’s early threats, took the lead in the 16th minute. Jimmy Hartley was fouled out on the left flank. Dylan Baker took the resulting free-kick which was inch perfect for Joe Sellers-West to climb highest and plant a commanding header beyond the reach of Matt Faley in the home goal.
It was only Dunstable’s sixth league goal of the season and the rapturous cheers from the Dunstable fans in the ground was a sure sign that the goal drought had finally been broken.
Dunstable’s second came 15 minutes later. Sellers-West then turned provider, seizing on a through ball from Terrence Muchineripi, his cross from the left to the unmarked Kwazim Theodore was duly slotted home.
The last time Dunstable Town were two goals up in a game? Ironically, it was against Broadfields Utd in the run up to last Christmas. And history repeated itself again today with Broadfields pulling back a second half goal just as they had at Creasey Park on the 15th December.
Injuries to both Josh Page and Jimmy Hartley meant substitutes Ruairi Mills and Enoch Mensah were called into action at the start of the second half.
Dan Trif accelerated down the left flank and crossed beautifully for Kwazim Theodore but he couldn’t get his shot on target and the chance to surely put the game to bed went begging.
Two minutes later Dan Gould needed to get down to his left when a shot took a wicked deflection and threatened to creep in at the far post. Danger averted thanks to Dan’s lightening reactions, but even he was helpless to stop Broadfields getting a lifeline shortly before the hour with a superbly taken goal from Aldis Aliu. The fightback was on and there was still half an hour left on the clock.
The crowd were treated to a well contested match with plenty of end-to-end action to enjoy in what was a great advertisement for Step 5 football.
Two cheeky backheel passes from Dunstable so nearly bore fruit for Kwazim Theodore but his firmly struck shot on target was blocked while in another free flowing move, Simon Richards played in Dan Trif, advancing at speed down the left, only to see Faley get down well to make an important save.
At the other end Dan Gould was called into action to make some important saves and Broadfields had a strong claim for a penalty rejected. As the minutes ebbed away the Dunstable defenders stood tall and strong and did their jobs.
In an off the ball incident Kwazim Theodore was shown a straight red card and Ethan Creary a yellow for time wasting but this was otherwise not a bad tempered or dirty game.
Referee Joseph Casey’s final whistle was greeted with huge relief with Manager, Joe Deeney able to look forward with optimism that the players he has brought in can gel and produce performances and get results.
Dunstable are next in action at Creasey Park on Tuesday 26th October when Leighton Town are the visitors. A big crowd is expected, and fans are encouraged to arrive early due to the new parking arrangements. Additional hot food will be available inside the ground from Jamaica Mi Crazy. Kick off is 7.45 pm.