Disappointing Dunstable Town stutter to North Greenford United defeat

Defensive errors proved costly for Dunstable Town as they went down to a 3-1 defeat at North Greenford United in Calor Southern League Division One Central on Saturday.

With star striker Lee Roache suspended for this game, Dunstable stuttered to a defeat in a poor game at Berkeley Fields as the hosts avenge their defeat against Town in the FA Cup last season.

In a surprisingly poor first half neither side looked like scoring from open play.

North Greenford’s direct style enticed the Blues to alter from their normal style and the closest either side came to a goal was Tony Burnett’s header that struck the foot of the post for the visitors.

The hosts looked a good deal livelier in the second period and took the lead after 51 minutes when, with Dunstable’s defence stretched, Aaron Silcott headed home Anthony O’Connor’s cross at the far post.

Dunstable, after having a goal disallowed for offside, went further behind when Marc Leach, under pressure from home substitute Junior Scott, lobbed over Jamie Head to score an own goal on the hour mark.

Town pulled one back through a Chris Marsh penalty on 69 minutes after Nathan Frater had been brought down, as they proceeded to look for an equaliser.

However, the hosts again stretched Dunstable’s defence and added a third with 11 minutes to go when Anthony O’Connor broke free to score.

Dunstable had another goal disallowed for offside as a below-par performance saw them fall to defeat against mediocre opposition.

Director of football John McLoughlin added: “What a difference a week in football can make.

“Last Saturday we were brilliant, Saturday we were awful - probably the worst performance in two years.

“We were without Adam Watkins, Leon Cashman and Lee Roache, but I am not one for finding excuses, we work as a squad and we just did not perform.

“But I remain totally focused and I know the team are disappointed and I have every confidence that come Saturday they will perform as we expect them to, that’s how strong these individuals are.

“I would be more concerned if they were not upset about the match.

“We are a strong unit and we will analyse the game where we went wrong and put it right for Saturday’s FA Cup match.”Dunstable go to Needham Market in FA Cup second round qualifying on Saturday.

United: Lee Pearce, Charlie Defty, Danny Bennell (C), Liam Hind, David Taylor, Michael Dart, Aaron Silcott, Daniel Vincent, Harry Walker, Anthony O’Connor, Omar Vassell. Substitutes used: Junior Scott, Anton Robinson. Substitutes not used: Tommy Cameron, Louis stead, Andrew O’Connell.

Blues: Jamie Head, Danny Hutchins (Warren Plowright), Danny Murphy, Joseph Bruce, Marc Leach (Samuel Ntim-Addae), Moses Olaleye (C), Damen Pickering, Tony Burnett, Chris Marsh, Matt Nolan, (Craig Davey), Nathan Frater. Substitutes not used: Adam Watkins.

Referee: Kieran Bailey.

Assistant Referees: Bhupinder Gill and Nathan Briggs.

Attendance: 66.