Match Report: Colney Heath 1-0 Dunstable Town

Photo: Lewis Smith on a frustrating day

Written by James Smith

Photos by James Smith

Dunstable Town produced a performance that was unrecognisable from that of their opening four league matches and were defeated by a Colney Heath side who deserved to take all three points.

While Town were possibly second best against Tring Athletic on Tuesday for long periods their determination not to concede saw them take a point but on Saturday it was a performance that lacked intensity and creativity.

The pitch played a part as it was dry and bumpy but it was not an excuse for the Blues who’s opponents looked hungrier on the day and played the conditions better.

The opening ten minutes were unspectacular from both teams as Town tried to play but just couldn’t get into a rhythm.

Photo: No way through for Joe Caffery.

The hosts did have a long range shot go wide in those opening minutes followed by another one from Bradley Dixon-Smith on fourteen minutes. Montel Brown then shot well wide for Town.

There was not much else to report until the half hour mark when the hosts took the lead. Dixon-Smith cut in from the right and was allowed to go unchallenged as he dribbled across the pitch before unleashing a left footed strike low into the bottom right hand corner.

Solomon Tabase then shot a minute later but it was well saved by Desmond which was followed by a free header by the home side at the back post, which was also saved by the Town keeper.

Photo: Hadley Gleeson in action.

Dunstable were rocking and look shell-shocked as Sam Ejjayha was next to force Desmond into a save.

Just before half time Tabase made Desmond save again as a poor first half came to an end.

Steve O’Reilly made two changes at half time by introducing Harrison Mead and Alex Butt to try and change Dunstable’s fortunes but it was Colney Heath who stood firm, competing for first and second balls.

Mason Watkins-Clark did well from under his own crossbar to clear a corner that nearly crept in twenty minutes into the second period.

Luka Lodder kept plugging away up front, hitting a shot high and wide on 68 minutes.

Photo: Colney Heath defender slides in on Montel Brown.

Charlie Clark should have equalised with nine minutes to go but got his timing wrong as he swung and missed the ball when it looked odds on he would score from close range.

Town had their first shot on target in the 89th minute when Lewis Smith shot from 25 yards but it was easily saved by Liam Gauthier.

Six minutes of injury time brought nothing more to the game as Town lost their first league game of the season.

Team: Desmond; Kenna; Briggs; Smith: Watkins; Russell; Rickman; Caffery; Lodder; Brown; Gleeson.

Subs: Mead; Butt; James; Clark and Horn-Haynes.

Dunstable Man of the Match: Alex Desmond.

Attendance: 144.