Blues defeat Eagles in eight goal thriller

Dunstable Town welcomed back talismanic striker Lee Roache as they beat near neighbours Bedford Town 5-3 in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday night.

Christopher Marsh was ruled out due to injury, but Dunstable had Matt Nolan and Elliot Bailey in their starting line-up, plus recent signing Paul Bastock in goal.

In the first half, Adam Watkins had a shot blocked, before seeing another effort well saved by Tyler Reading, while new addition Dom Masala showed some deft touches.

Nolan came close with a downward header, before the Blues went ahead on the half hour.

However, Bedford hit back to lead 2-1 before half time courtesy of two strikes from Josh Bamford.

In the second period, both Roache and Gary Wharton entered the fray, only for Eagles to score a third on 57 minutes.

However, Dunstable’s fight back soon began as Roache was brought down for a penalty and although his first effort was saved, the striker squeezed his rebound home.

The Blues then levelled after a counter-attack, before punishing an error from Reading to lead 4-3.

Bedford’s keeper redeemed himself with a second penalty save, before being stretchered off, as Wharton completed the scoring late on.

This Saturday, the Creasey Cup final takes place at Creasey Park between Dunstable Town and AFC Dunstable, kicking off at 3pm.

Entrance costs £5 for adults, while youth players of both clubs get in free as the match is being played to open the new improvements to the ground.