Christie’s the main man as AFC Dunstable roar back with London Lions win

Much-improved AFC Dunstable triumphed 4-2 at London Lions in the Molten Spartan SML Premier Division on Wednesday night.

A BJ Christie double (nine and 30) was cancelled out by a Kian Siabi brace (45 and 70), but AFC triumphed thanks to Richard Harker’s goal 10 minutes from time and Craig Butler’s injury-time penalty after Dale Turney had been fouled.

Boss Alex Butler said: “This was a far better performance than the defeat against Hadley on Saturday, however we still need to improve and step our game up in preparation for a tough run of fixtures if we are to remain in the top four positions.

“Another plus was to have Wayne Mills back and he showed what a steadying influence he is on the team.”

Although producing a far better performance from Saturday, AFC still managed to make hard work of dispatching their opponents, despite having the lion’s share of possession and creating a host of chances.

AFC roared into a two-goal lead with hotshot Christie the main man.

He opened the scoring with a 25-yard thunderbolt after only nine minutes following good work by Craig Butler.

Christie then latched on to a ball over the top by returning debutant Mills before expertly lobbing the ball past the Lions keeper.

Further chances were created, but just before the interval the Lions got behind the AFC back line allowing Siabi to finish from close range.

After the break AFC forced a succession of corners, with Dan Ryan, Christie and Jonathan Cooper all going close, but it was the Lions who went up the other end to score with Siabi again on target.

AFC proceeded to make some changes and, after some good work by Courtney Massey, Harker arrived at the far post to slot home.

Further chances were created, but it was only in the second minute of time added on that AFC put the game to bed when good work from James Bishop put Turney through, who was subsequently pulled down by the Lions keeper.

Butler stepped up to dispatch the penalty and seal the win for the Dunstable side.

AFC go to Biggleswade United on Saturday and host Berkhamsted on Wednesday.

Attendance: 15.

Star AFC Man: BJ Christie.