U18’s Match Report: v Codicote

Photo: Billy Pyle pulls a goal back for Town.

By James Smith

Codicote 3-1 Dunstable Town

Thursday 10th April 2025

SCFYL - Delphian Division

Dunstable Town under 18’s title challenge came to an end after defeat at Codicote. The team have given their all but just fell short after a long season where they were playing catch up with matches after good cup runs and postponements.

A win would have kept their chances alive going into a clash with second placed Colney Heath next week in what could have been a winner takes all game. As it is, Oxhey Jets have moved to the top of the table and they will be hoping Town can get a result to make the Hertfordshire team champions.

The league has been of a very good standard this season with many good teams and matches. The top four in particular have been very good for most of it.

Town will look back at the 8-2 loss against Crawley Green and a couple of draws on top of last nights defeat as possible turning points.

However, with two rounds of the Brian Hitchings Cup negotiated with wins against North Greenford (2-1) and Biggleswade United (3-0) plus a fine FA Youth Cup run with wins at Hitchin Town (5-2), Arlesey Town (1-0) then scoring a dramatic equaliser against AFC Dunstable in added time before the heartbreak of a penalty shootout loss and a top four finish in the league guaranteed, the season has been an enjoyable one.

The game at Codicote saw Dunstable have a lot of the ball and early chances in the first half but will be frustrated they never really tested the hosts’ keeper throughout the game.

Alfie Young had the first clear chance of the game in the 8th minute when sent through but his shot unfortunately went wide.

Photo: Alfie Young went close to scoring.

Riley Noel-Williams then headed over a corner ten minutes later before the hosts shot wide at the other end.

With 23 minutes gone Matias Iacobuta struck the outside of the post from a free kick. A while after Jamari Waagna came close when his shot was narrowly deflected over for a corner.

Two shots in succession from Young and Iacobuta saw them go over the bar around the 36th minute mark then Iacobuta again shot over on the stroke of half time.

Town were peppering the Codicote goal but were frustrated by the lack of shots on target.

Owen Russell came on for Dunstable, shooting over four minutes into the second half but then had keeper Mikey Dobbs to thank for keeping the scores level when he made a fine save to deny Codicote on the counter attack.

This was when the game changed in the home sides’ favour as they took the lead on 57 minutes, scoring the opening goal after a through ball was converted past Dobbs.

Another shot went over the bar soon after from the Blues when Tito Bankole tried his luck from range.

In the 69th minute Codicote increased their lead with another breakaway goal.

Town responded immediately with Billy Pyle heading home a corner to halve the deficit. He nearly drew his team level two minutes later but agonisingly headed over.

Photo: Pyle retrieves the ball after scoring.

Young then shot over as the visitors entered the last seventeen minutes to try and score the two goals needed to get the win.

The hosts rode the pressure well and virtually killed the game in the 78th minute when a another through ball was finished well with a delicate chip over Dobbs in the Town goal. There may have been a possible foul in the build up but Codicote made the most of the decision not to award a free kick and regained a two goal advantage.

A minute later Elliott Jones agonisingly headed wide.

The game then became a bit scrappy as Codicote saw the game out to take the three points.

The Blues had plenty of shots but with only one on target and one that hit the post it was a frustrating evening after a good season overall.