Two out of two as Blues fight back at Ampthill

Dunstable Town produced a fine second half comeback to continue their 100 per cent start to the Molten Spartan SML Premier Division campaign at Ampthill Town on Tuesday night.

Opening with intent, the Blues went ahead on three minutes with a remarkable goal from Jonathan Barnett whose angled shot from range found the top right corner.

This was followed by some near misses as Graeme Buchanan hit the crossbar with a ferocious effort and Shane Wood had a goal disallowed following an infringement from a corner.

Ampthill, very much second fiddle for the opening 20 minutes, exploited their set-pieces and from one of these snaffled a slick equaliser when skipper Robbie Goodman’s glancing header eluded Lewis Kidd.

Dunstable still attacked at will but fell behind from a move originating from a quick throw in as Lea Coulter scored at the second attempt after his shot was spilled by Kidd.

The second half was a frenetic affair, but Town levelled on 55 minutes through a piece of artistry from Lee Roache.

Latching on to a long ball, he eluded his markers before finding the net from a seemingly impossible angle.

Ampthill responded aggressively, hitting the post and spraying in crosses and corners, with Kidd being forced to showcase his full repertoire.

After 67 minutes Roache scored the winner with another piece of consummate skill as he shrugged off a number of challenges to net once more from an acute angle.

Ampthill responded with a period of concerted pressure that tested the Dunstable defence, but they held firm thanks to Kidd who made a great save from a Tyrone Taylor header.

Director of football John McLoughlin said: “Ampthill made it clear that they were going to try and bully us and to be fair they got the better of us in the first half.

“However we changed our shape and discipline, Jonathan Barnett was outstanding and Lee Roach scored as we showed great character.”

Town host Hadley this weekend.