Season Review: August 2024

Photo: Town celebrate their first win.

Written by James Smith

Photos by James Smith & Brad Cawthorne

August proved to be another tough month while the transition of management and players continued but there was a light at the end of the tunnel come the end of it.

Town took a break from league action and travelled to the east coast to play Little Oakley in the FA Cup. It was a pleasant trip there by coach but the journey home was a difficult one following defeat.

The hosts took a 2-0 lead into half time with Steve O’Reilly was less than impressed with the performance of the first 45 minutes.

Ayo Akinbobola pulled a goal back after the break but Little Oakley sealed the game late on as Town also had Luka Lodder sent off.

Photo: Ayo Akinbobola scores at Little Oakley.

The following week the Blues suffered heartbreak as they lost at home in added time to Baldock Town. Luck was not on their side as Jamie Ovington had a goal ruled out in the second half only to see the opposition break away at the end of the game to take the points.

Photo: Kodi Briggs on the attack against Baldock Town.

A trip to Aylesbury Vale Dynamos followed and with confidence low the team fell to a heavy loss and performance Steve O’Reilly later described as the worst of the season.

Some poor defending cost Town dearly as they fell to a 5-0 defeat with Ethan Goulding also being dismissed for two yellow cards.

Photo: Ethan Goulding in action at Aylesbury Vale Dynamos.

Performances improved from here on in but the first point of the season had to wait as Arlesey Town scored a goal early in each half to take a 2-0 lead. Conceding early and goals in each half became an unwanted habit during the season.

Sam Ezenwaka pulled a goal back for the Blues but it wasn’t enough to help complete the comeback.

The last team you want to play when low on confidence was MK Irish who were favourites for the title but Dunstable put on a spirited performance and deserved credit for showing signs that the team were starting to gel.

Despite the 2-0 defeat at Creasey Park, most went home in a positive mindset going into the next match at FC Romania.

The trip to Cheshunt, where Romania play their games, proved to be huge turning point.

Town put pressure on their opponents from the off and took the lead for the first time in a competitive game when Luka Lodder set Mason Davis to score in the first half.

Photo: Mason Davis celebrates his goal.

The team defended well and had a determination about them to not give up their chance of their first win and infact first points of the season.

Luka Lodder sealed the win when he met a superb through ball by Lewis Smith and calmly slotted home to the relief and delight of all involved.

The duck had been broken and tension released!

Photo: Luka Lodder scored the decisive goal against FC Romania.