Early brace bags Town bragging rights in Dunstable derby

An early brace from Lee Roache and a second half strike from Tony Burnett earned Dunstable Town the bragging rights as they defeated AFC Dunstable 3-1 in the Dunstable derby on Saturday.

The league’s best attendance of the season, 263, had descended on Creasey Park for the much-anticipated Molten Spartan SML Premier Division clash as Steve Hawes replied for nominal hosts AFC early in the second half, only for table-topping Town to claim victory.

Town director of football John McLoughlin said: “Dunstable Town played some great football and we had to respect the players at AFC as we know what they are capable off and to be fair they had a go in the second half, but overall I thought we were worthy of the three points.

“So many people hyped this game up and for us it’s just another league game that we must win and we stay unbeaten and on track for our goals this season.

“Our front three of Roache, (Nathan) Frater and Burnett was too much for them to handle and going in at half time 2-0 up was deserved, but we knew they would have a spell and we told our players that the first goal in the second half was vital and AFC took their goal well but we dug deep and our defence was solid.

“Graeme Buchanan and our new signing Stuart Deaton were tremendous as were (Wayne) Mills and (Danny) Mead.

“We also knew that AFC defence would be instructed to play hard, but we more than handle that style of play and our quality and determination was first class.

“We now go into the new year on top and we endeavour to stay there. It was good to see a decent crowd and quite a few people commented on how good we looked and will come and support us during our promotion campaign.”

Town began smartly and took a third-minute lead when Nathan Frater’s low shot rebounded off AFC keeper Ryan Derby into the path of top scorer Roache who easily converted.

Derby saved again from Frater a couple of minutes later and then recovered to deny Burnett from the rebound.

Rampant Town continued to press and double their lead within 11 minutes when Frater passed to Roache who scored his 34th goal in 32 appearances.

AFC struggled to come to terms with the Blues in this one-sided opening, but gradually steadied themselves before making several forays forward that lacked a finish - BJ Christie going closest.

The hosts pulled a goal back three minutes into the second half when the impressive Courtney Massey hooked in a cross from the right and Steve Hawes produced a good finish.

AFC proceeded to more than match the Blues, for whom keeper Paul Taylor needed to stay alert.

Town defended well though and sealed victory with a 71st-minute counter-attack when good work by Danny Mead and Frater enabled Burnett to coolly convert into the bottom corner.

There were late efforts from both teams with Jonathan Cooper just clearing the bar for Town and Derby tipping another effort just over.

Taylor was called upon to make a late save from an AFC free-kick as Town triumphed to stay top.

AFC manager Alex Butler admitted: “The better team won on the day with the first 12 minutes of the game crucial to the final outcome.

“It was stressed to our players in the pre-match team talk to keep ourselves tight in the early stages.

“Dunstable have excellent players all around and need to be denied space with the ball, but we asked that particular attention should be paid to influential midfielder Newman Carney and Dunstable’s prolific frontman Lee Roache.

“In both departments we let ourselves down, allowing these players time to influence the play and set up opportunities on goal in the early stages.

“AFC should take credit for the way we fought back, particularly in the second period, and after pulling a goal back when Steve Hawes expertly converted a good delivery by full-back Courtny Massey, we carved out some good chances to equalise.

“AFC’s own prolific scorer BJ Cristie was becoming a real influence, going close on a couple of occasions and having a good penalty appeal turned down when Buchanan clipped his heels when Cristie was clean through on goal.

“Substitute Dale Turney also came on and caused problems, and he was unlucky to see a great effort cleared off the line by Buchanan in the 70th minute which would have got AFC back into the game.

“Although ultimately it was again preventable defensive mistakes that cost us, Danny Ryan was outstanding in defence and didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.

“Well done to Dunstable though and again I wish their players every success in their pursuit of the title.”

This Saturday Town host Hillingdon Borough and AFC go to Haringey Borough, while on Tuesday Town entertain St Margaretsbury in the third round of the Challenge Trophy and AFC go to Tring Athletic.

Town: Taylor, Mills, Mead, Deaton, Buchanan (Pickering), Carney, Olaleye, Cooper, Roache, Frater, Burnett.

AFC: Darby, Massey, Aylolede, Baldry, Ryan, Hawes, Wills, Harnaman, Christie, Blackett, Burgoyne.