Hall bags goal number 23 in AFC rout

AFC Dunstable remained in touch at the top of the table with a 4-1 win at Leverstock Green on Tuesday night.

A combination of great goalkeeping by home keeper Jordon I’Anson in the first half and a burst of goals during a 10 minute period in the second half, saw AFC eventually pick up a deserved three points.

With many of the top half teams in action on the night, St Margaretsbury, London Colney and Hertford Town all dropped two points each but the main result though did not go AFC’s way, as leaders Kings Langley ground out a 1-0 win over mid-table Hadley.

Two changes were made from Saturday’s draw as Wayne Mills replaced George Biggadike at right back and Jamie Head came in for Louis Porcelli in goal.

Right from the kick off the visitors were on the front foot as they dominated the early stages and could have been a couple of goals to the good even before the home side ventured into AFC’s territory.

A far post header from Fabio Bufano cleared the crossbar, then Chris Francis had the chance get on the score sheet but I’Anson denied him twice, before saving from Jermaine Hall.

It look like AFC would rue these missed chances, as the home side came close with a strike at goal and had a good shout for a penalty waved away.

AFC finally took the lead after 36 minutes though, when a looping Grant Fryer header deceived I’Anson and found the top corner.

On the stroke of half time Francis had a chance to double the AFC lead but again that man I’Anson denied him.

In the second period, Green levelled when Head’s clearance went straight to Louis Bircham who found the empty net.

AFC went looking for a second and it arrived on 65 minutes when Newman Carney whipped home one of his trademark free kicks.

It was 3-1 four minutes later when Fryer finished from the edge of the box, while Francis escaped his marker and crossed for Hall to score his 23rd goal of the season on 75 minutes.

Boss Steve Heath said: “I thought with all the chances we were not taking early doors might come back and haunt us. In a way they did, as they drew level but the lads showed grit and we came out easy winners in the end.”

AFC: Head, Mills, Carney, Fryer, Cashman, Griffith (Simpson 84), Cooper (Warne 79), Bufano (Silvestri 86), Hall, Bishop, Francis.

Subs not used: Biggadike, Porcelli.