Match Report: Dunstable Town 2-2 Haringey Borough

Photo: Hadley Gleeson wheels away after scoring.

Written by James Smith

Photos by James Smith

Dunstable Town kicked off their league campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw in front of almost 300 spectators, which included the Mayor of Dunstable.

They got off to a great start when a through ball caused chaos in the Haringey box as Luka Lodder and the visitors defenders came together as the ball found the net with Lodder claiming the opening goal of the season.

Town went hunting for a second as Hadley Gleeson had a shot blocked two minutes later then Montel Brown had his effort go the same way.

James Sales had to be alert to clear a goal bound strike from Borough in the 14th minute as they mounted their first real attempt at goal.

Sales by then shot at goal with a powerful strike but it deflected into the hands of Ashlee Jones in the visitors goal.

Haringey thought they had equalised on 25 minutes when George Coomes saved well but the follow up was hit home by Adrian Clifton, however it was ruled out for offside.

Matt Young missed a great chance for Haringey when he volleyed over nine minutes later but they drew level just before half time.

Derek Asamoah picked up the ball on the edge of the area and hit a shot that cruelly deflected past Coomes to bring his side back on terms.

The Blues came out of the traps quickly for the second half and regained the lead when good work from Mulik Rickman found Gleeson to score from close range.

The lead was short lived though as the experienced 44 year old Asamoah cut inside and hit a great strike into the net from 25 yards out to level the game again.

Borough had their tails up and nearly took the lead in the 56th minute but the shot went narrowly wide.

Coomes then denied Herson Alves with a fine save as Town began to look under pressure.

With eight minutes left Clifton again thought he had scored but was denied for a second time by the offside flag.

Added time brought drama when Joe Caffery did well to set up Kodi Briggs but his shot was a tame one. Haringey then went straight up the other end and almost found the winner.

They then missed a golden chance when a free header went over the bar before Briggs set up Ethan Goulding for a shot but Jones saved easily.

It was probably a fair result in the end as Town had the better of the first half with their opponents taking the second half.

Team: Coomes; Kenna; Sales; Smith; James; Russell; Butt; Rickman; Lodder; Brown; Gleeson.

Subs: Briggs; Caffery; Mead; Goulding; Watkins-Clark.

Attendance: 294

Man of the match: Joe Russell

#towntogether #youareenough