Match Report: Dunstable Town 1-3 Baldock Town

Photo: Hadley Gleeson celebrates his goal.

Written by James Smith

Photos by James Smith

Dunstable Town’s dip in form at Colney Heath continued on Tuesday but they could have been 3-0 up at one point but for lady-luck, as they hit the post and bar and also had shots narrowly wide throughout the game.

The Blues have looked weary since the comeback win at Harlow and need to get back to the way they were playing positively on and off the ball in the opening four league matches.

Rhys Monaghan had an early shot for Baldock saved by Alex Desmond while Jack James headed wide for the Blues in the opening ten minutes.

Baldock shot over on 20 minutes after a header was cut back. Then Dunstable lost the ball in midfield but Baldock couldn’t capitalise and shot wide.

Seven minutes later good work by Hadley Gleeson saw him cross for Montel Brown but he couldn’t quite get his shot on target.

Gleeson then had a shot easily saved by the keeper.

Town almost took the lead with half hour played when Harrison Mead played in Luka Lodder who’s curling shot unluckily hit the post.

Photo: Luka Lodder’s strike about to hit the post.

Jamie Pors-Fazerkerley then shot wide for Baldock before Lodder was fouled in an attack but nothing was given by the referee as the visitors broke from the incident and shot wide.

Three minutes into the second half Lodder was sent clear but agonisingly shot just wide. Gleeson then had a shot palmed away as Dunstable upped the pressure.

However, they found themselves behind on 51 minutes when they gave the ball way and were punished as Pors-Fazakerley turned in the box and fired home.

Dunstable were guilty of losing possession too often after a bright start to the half and only James Sales’ goal line clearance prevented Baldock doubling their lead soon after.

Thomas headed over for the visitors with 62 minutes gone but the Blues equalised with twenty minutes left when Gleeson fired home from 12 yards.

Photo: Gleeson draws Town level.

Lodder was again narrowly off target soon after then Mulik Rickman’s shot was deflected over for a corner with Lewis Smith almost scoring directly from it as Eran Tulomba tipped the ball on to the bar and over on 83 minutes.

Town then appealed for a penalty for handball, which was turned down but with three minutes left they failed to clear the ball and Joshua Kassaye punished them by scoring their second.

To rub salt into the wounds Town gave the ball away again and were punished instantly as Jerrell Watkins scored on the break away.

It was hard not to feel the pain of manager Steve O’Reilly after the match who has been working tirelessly over the last few months.

Strength of character will be needed in adverse moments. It’s early days still and the opening four league games proved the capability of the team.

Team: Desmond; James: Sales; Smith; Watkins-Clark; J Russell; Brown; Butt; Lodder; Mead; Gleeson.

Subs: Briggs; Goulding; Kenna; Rickman and O Russell.

Attendance: 205