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Match Report: Harpenden Town 1-1 Dunstable Town

Written by James Smith

Photo by George Lewington


A positive performance from Dunstable Town, especially in the second half saw them come away with a point at Amenbury Lane on Saturday but it could have been more but for an excellent save from by Eman Olajide to deny Harrison Mead a superb goal.


Steve O’Reilly had to shuffle the pack with the backline in particular needing reinforcements following injuries to Will Bishop and Melvin Onu plus Alfie Osborne being unavailable due to work commitments.


JJ Kenna came in at right back with Jack James coming in for Osborne. Luka Lodder carried on at left back and all did really well alongside Jamie Ovington.


Town made a good start when Lodder broke into the area and pulled the ball back to Hankins but he couldn’t get full connection and Olajide gathered.


In the 16th minute Ovington headed a corner straight at Olajide before Hadley Gleeson shot over at the other end. Soon after a shot by Gleeson deflected wide for a corner at the other end.


The hosts opened the scoring on 21 minutes when Jake Anthony converted from close range from a cut backed cross.


Dunstable responded by going on the attack. Joe Hankins’ shot was easily saved by Olajide while Ovington had to be alert to clear a dangerous Harpenden cross.


The visitors’ centre back then played in Liam Hayden but Olajide just beat him to the ball on 37 minutes, as the Blues increased the pressure on the Harps goal.


That pressure paid off two minutes before the break when Olajide dallied on the ball then tried to pass it out to a teammate but Hayden intercepted and struck the ball into an empty net to level the game.


Dunstable came out for the second half with intensity and attacked from the off. Lodder set up Hankins but his shot was saved.


On 55 minutes Lodder played in a delightful cross which looked set to find Hayden but a last ditch block prevented him from getting his second goal of the game.


Alex Desmond then produced a good save followed by Mead shooting narrowly over in a frantic few minutes.


On the hour Mead brilliantly cut inside and struck a delightful 20 yard effort that was headed for the top corner but it was equally matched by a great save by Olajide who tipped the ball over the bar.


Seven minutes later Lodder hooked the ball of his own goal line but Dunstable carried on the offensive and frustrated the hosts with lot of possession and attacking play.


The game turned ugly in the 77th minute when Harpenden’s Ryan Plowright led with his arm and caught Finbar King in the face then allegedly trod on the Blues’ striker. After consulting his assistant the referee dismissed Plowright with a straight red card.


The introduction of youngsters Louie Carr and Jonah Howgego added fresh legs and creativity but Dunstable were unable to make a clear cut chance despite threatening to on several occasions.


The last minutes of normal time saw Jack James clear off the line then Ovington missed the target from close range when he maybe should have scored but was ruled offside.


It was a good spectacle for the those spectators who braved the cold weather but both teams had to take the draw in the end.


Team: Desmond; Kenna; Lodder; Butt; Ovington; James; Hankins; Bircham; Hayden; Mesd; Goulding.


Subs (all used): Briggs; Carr; Ezenwaka; King; Howgego.


Attendance: 264.


Blues Man of the Match: Jack James.

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DUNSTABLE TOWN FC
ESTD. 1883

Dunstable Town Football Club is a Community Benefit Society. It is registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, Registration Number 8667 as Dunstable Town Football Club Ltd. 

 

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