Match Report: Virginia Water 2-0 Dunstable Town

Photo: Harrison Mead on the attack. (GL)

Written by James Smith

Photos by James Smith & George Lewington

It was a difficult day for Dunstable Town as they went down 2-0 to Virginia Water in the FA Vase but also shared the news that manager Steve O’Reilly had made the decision to step down as manager.

Town found themselves playing at the different time of 7.45pm on a Saturday evening as Virginia Water ground share with Slough Town who had played earlier in the day.

The hosts took the lead in the 6th minute when Adam Dougui hit a fine curling free kick into the top corner.

The Blues forced a free kick with twenty minutes gone when Luka Lodder chased the ball down with the advancing keeper Matthew Jones gathering ball but his momentum took him outside the box. The free kick was cleared to safety.

Alex Desmond produced a great save on 32 minutes when he tipped over a fine strike from thirty yards.

Town were getting frustrated with some decisions by the match officials. None more so than when Mulik Rickman was caught high on his ankle just before half time but no free kick was given or card produced.

Photo: Mulik Rickman lies in pain after the late tackle. (JS)

The second half started with a flurry of yellow cards before Virginia Water increased their lead when Cal Hamilton scored from close range.

The Blues were left frustrated again when Joe Caffery was pinned down by an opponent in the box when he had both arms on his shoulders but the referee played on.

Hadley Gleeson shot wide on 71 minutes then Montel Brown unluckily struck the post after several Town shots were blocked.

Desmond saved well from James Goodey then Lodder did really well on the byline and cut back inside but his shot was blocked.

Desmond made two more stops before the final whistle blew.

It was an emotional time after the game when the announcement was made about Steve O’Reilly stepping down as he put so much hard work into everything the club did not just with the first team.

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

Subs: Mukopfa; Clark; Caffery; Horn-Haynes and Brown.