duNsTable ToWN Tv

Sponsored by Heritage Funerals

Watch the highlights on our YouTube channel. Scan the QR Code to access or search “Dunstable Town FC” on YouTube.

With games coming thick and fast, Head Coach, Joe Deeney has been mindful of making sure that players don’t get too tired and using the large squad at his disposal. This was possibly going through Joe’s mind when he named Tolu Ikuyinminu as a substitute. Tolu’s introduction at the start of the second half certainly got the crowd on their toes and gave the Blues some additional attacking options.

For the away side, a familiar face in the form of Joe Parmley lined up against his former team mates.

The first half was not a classic. Dunstable had the better chances and the lion’s share of possession but couldn’t find the magic ingredient to push ahead.

The closest they got was a fine piece of work from Joe Sellers-West who almost from nothing made space for himself around the outside of the box and unleashed a real thunderbolt which whistled narrowly wide of the far post.

Half time changes saw John Smith replaced by Tolu. “Smudger” as he’s affectionately known by team mates has been a revelation since his arrival from Amersham Town last month. A player in the mould of Joe Deeney’s preferred athletes, committed, hard working, tenacious and solid. His addition to the team has given that little bit of extra bite.

Deeney will often talk about the need to find extra 1%’s, behind the scenes and on the park. The addition of John Smith & Robbie Goodman has been just that. The competition for places has become intense, with several players competing for the same starting place.

Tolu’s pace caused his defenders worries. The Blues worked the ball through the channels and Danny Webb started to find the space which makes him such a threat.

The opening goal on 62 minutes came at the end of a good spell of Dunstable pressure which saw the Hoddesdon keeper make a couple of very decent saves.

Dunstan’s in swinging corner was beautifully flighted and there waiting at the back stick was Joe Sellers-West to guide the ball home from a couple of feet off the goal line.

With their noses in front Dunstable started to go through the gears and despite a spirited response from the away side Dunstable never looked in any serious trouble. However, as every football pundit will testify 1-0 is a dangerous scoreline to protect. Thankfully there were no heart in mouth moments, the players to a man did their jobs.

Skipper, Alfie Osborne, drew words of warm praise from the Match Referee for the way he conducted himself on the pitch and communicated with the referee. A contender for the Man of the Match, that accolade going to Joe Sellers-West, who had put the game to bed in the 86th minute with an almost carbon copy of his first goal.

Excitement grew around the ground as the results from around the League began to filter through. Teams at the top dropped points and the importance of the victory over hard working Hoddesdon became even more telling.

The Blues started slow and went a goal down giving the ball away cheaply. This lead to a long ball over the top and the Blues didn’t reacted quick enough, which lead to the Stopsley striker getting through one on one with Blues keeper George Lewington. The striker calmly slotted underneath George to go 1-0 up.

Both sides were cancelling each other but the Blues started to boss the midfield and soon found themselves 2-1 ahead with two free kicks from Cairon.

Half time came at the right time and Wayne Upton had the boys run in quickly so they could get things ironed out so they could start better in the second half.

The boys played some better football but the defence had to be at the races with the Stopsley centre forward, who was always dangerous but Blues defender Lewis Sharp marshalled him very well. A few long ranged shots from

Stopsley were collected with ease from George, and the game was put to bed with the Blues being awarded a penalty. Up stepped Liam McTague who blasted it past the keeper to make it 3-1.

Stopsley huffed and puffed but couldn’t break through the Blues defence. Tthe fourth goal came and killed the game off with a well-deserved goal from Naishayn Williams who never stopped running all game. The game was not quite over as Stopsley were awarded a penalty for a clumsy challenge which lead to the Stopsley striker beating George from the spot.

The last five minutes were a bit tense, but the whistle finally went and the Blues completed the double over the league leaders and are now 1 point behind them with a game in hand. Next week at Creasey we see the Blues take on Ampthill Town.