Match Report: Dunstable Town 1-1 Crawley Green
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 11 hours ago
Photo: Israel Ajana (left) opens the scoring.. (JS)
Report by James Smith.
Photos by James Smith & George Lewington.
Gale force winds again contributed to a difficult game and frustrating result against local opponents Crawley Green.
The conditions brought an unpredictability to passes, crosses and set pieces throughout.
The visitors started brightly and created two good opportunities in the opening two minutes through Liam Hayden and the lively Bailey Knight.
Photo: Sammy Nicholls in action. (JS)
Jake Anthony headed towards goal in the 15th minute but couldn’t get enough power on it due to the wind causing the ball to hold up in the air.
The game lacked quality due to the conditions but Dunstable opened the scoring when Israel Ajana poked the ball home from twelve yards via the post in the 28th minute.
Photo: Israel Ajana celebrates his goal (GL)
Luka Lodder agonisingly headed wide five minutes later then Kodi Briggs’ cross-shot went a yard over the bar.
Just before half time Jordan Wright did superbly well to block Knight’s shot then Lodder fired over at the other end.
Crawley Green drew level with the last kick of the half when the wind caused keeper Cameron Groom’s kick to deceive a Town player who flicked the ball backwards and a high bounce caught out the unfortunate Charlie Smith who tried to head the ball up to catch it but the wind sent it behind him and as he tried to prevent conceding a corner Knight nipped in to score from a narrow angle.
Four minutes into the second period Lodder had a great opportunity to retake the lead but curled his effort wide.
Photo: Luka Lodder shoots wide (GL)
A flurry of yellow cards followed with three for Crawley Green and one for Jordan Wright as the game became scrappy.
With eighteen minutes left Lodder had a penalty appeal turned down then Anthony came close when his header bounced up against the bar before being cleared.
Dunstable forced many corners in the closing stages but the wind caused them to curl off fhe pitch or fall short of its intended target.
The Blues are now three points ahead of Kempston with a five goal advantage on goal difference with one game to play.
Kempston host Harpenden Town on Tuesday while Town entertain Aylesbury Vale Dynamos on Saturday.
Team: C Smith; Nicholls; Kenna; Rahho; Dooley; Wright; Ajana; Butt; Anthony; Lodder; Briggs.
Subs: Rickman; Silford; L Smith; Russell; Hudson-Doncaster.
Attendance: 205.
Match galleries:
