Blues claim emphatic win in crucial game to close on title

A hat-trick from hotshot striker Lee Roache helped Dunstable Town secure a 4-0 victory at nearest rivals Oxhey Jets on Saturday, and possibly with it the Molten Spartan SML Premier Division title.

Blues are now 10 points clear of the Jets, who have a game in hand, while the Dunstable side also have a superior goal difference.

This resounding victory means Dunstable are 28 league games unbeaten, while the fourth goal from Nathan Frater made it 100 goals for the Blues in the league this season.

Director of football John McLoughline said: “What a great day at the office, I said to the boys what a great day this could be if we score four goals, Lee Roache scores a hat-trick and we get the three points, but I never imagined it would happen.

“We were simply brilliant. Lee Roache worked his socks off for his hat-trick, Marc Leach kept Lewis Putnam quiet and Newman Carney supplied some awesome deliveries.

“But as a whole every player played their part superbly. the league title is in our hands now, but if we perform every week like we are doing then the title should be ours.

“But we are not stupid, the league was not won on Saturday and we will keep our feet firmly on the ground.

“We have a formidable outfit at Dunstable Town FC and it shows week in week out.”

Dunstable won 15 corners on the days and took the lead from one on 12 minutes when Newman Carney’s delivery was chested into the net from close range by Roache.

Oxhey countered when they could, but star striker Lee Putman, who boasts 43 goals this season, was marked out of the game.

Tony Burnett’s scorching strike looked bound for the top right corner but Sam Styles’ fingertip save meant Dunstable led by just one goal at the break.

Dunstable controlled the midfield and doubled their lead on 66 minutes when Roache found space to head home Carney’s free-kick unchallenged.

Secure in defence and creative in attack Dunstable cruised to victory as they added two lad goals.

With three minutes of normal time remaining Roache seized on a defensive error to complete his hat-trick and take him to 41 goals in all competitions this season.

Then, in stoppage time, Dunstable struck again when Frater netted his 14th of the season with an angled shot from just outside the area to complete an emphatic win.

Last night Dunstable were due to host London Tigers, host Leverstock Green on Saturday and are home to Biggleswade United on Tuesday.

Blues: Taylor, Fontanelle, Mead, Deaton, Leach, Carney, Olalaye (Jackson), Buchanan (Pickering), Roache, Frater, Burnett (Christie).