Match Report: Dunstable Town 0-1 Kings Langley

Photo: Sammy Nicholls takes on a Kings Langley defender.

Report and photos by James Smith.

More frustration for Dunstable Town as they were well in this game but allowed a set piece and missed opportunities in front of goal undo their hard work.

They more than matched their high flying opponents who ended the first half with ten men when Joe Fitzgerald was sent off for a tackle on Plamedi Bomolo.

Photo: Connor Toomey clears under pressure.

There was little to report in the first half as it proved a battle of the middle third of the pitch for much of the 45 minutes.

KIngs Langley lost captain Matt Bateman with a knee injury after falling awkwardly in the third minute.

Ten minutes later a good move from Dunstable saw Lewis Smith find Mulik Rickman who’s cross along the six yard line just evaded the incoming James Sales at the far post.

Photo: Mulik Rickman crosses for Dunstable.

There was little else to report until six minutes before half time when Kyle Rahho was on the end of a late tackle. The referee waved play on as Langley broke away with Rahho in a heap on the edge of the box. The Blues midfielder had to be replaced due to injury.

In the 44th minute Rickman delivered a cross-shot which former Town keeper Connor Coulson gathered.

Fitzgerald then saw red when he came in with excessive force with studs showing on Bomolo on the edge of the Langley area.

Photo: The end of the tackle that saw Joe Fitzgerald dismissed.

James Towell then went into the book for a foul on Rickman as the half ended with about 9 minutes added on due to the injuries to Bateman and Rahho.

Twelve minutes into the second half Bomolo had a great opportunity to score but his shot was saved by Coulson’s legs.

However, with 69 minutes on the clock a free kick by Joe Dearman went through a gap in the Dunstable wall and left keeper Sam Carman unprotected as the ball found the net too easily.

With fifteen minutes left Bomolo again had chance to score but he hit it straight at Coulson who saved again with his legs before Smith was booked for Dunstable.

Photo: Plamedi Bomolo is denied a goal.

Town are lacking confidence in front of goal and this was proved on 77 minutes when chances to shoot weren’t taken in succession in the same attack allowing the visitors to clear their lines.

JJ Kenna put in a great cross in the 81st minute but again lack of confidence saw Dunstable watch the ball go wide of the far post instead of attacking the six yard box.

Smith had a shot easily saved by Coulson before the hard working Jake Anthony headed over as the ninety minutes ticked by.

Town finished the game with ten men when Smith picked up a second yellow card.

The effort can’t be faulted especially up to the Kings Langley goal but confidence was clearly lacking which cost the team at least a point.

Team: Carman: Nicholls; Sales; Rahho; Wright; Kenna; Rickman; Butt; Anthony; Smith; Donkor.

Subs: Gleeson; Russell; Bomolo; Bowyer; Ajana.

Town man of the match: JJ Kenna.