VIDEO: Roache runs riot with hat-trick as leaders Dunstable Town stay top

A hat-trick from Lee Roache saw table-topping Dunstable Town ease to a 4-1 victory over North Greenford United to stay four points clear of Rugby Town at the summit of the Calor Southern League Division One Central.

Roache put the Blues ahead three minutes before the break only for Wayne Jackson to level nine minutes into the second half.

However Dunstable weren’t to be denied as Roache restored their lead five minutes later, recent signing Terry Dixon made it 3-1 on 85 minutes and Roache completed his hat-trick a minute from time.

Director of football John McLoughlin said: “It was a great team performance considering the conditions and a great hat-trick for Lee Roache who came back from suspension and it just shows the team sprit at DTFC.

“Daventry losing also helps towards our campaign as the table is now showing that it has become a three-horse race.

“We have a tough match away to Daventry on Saturday and a very tough February, but the squad is virtually at full strength and we have got stronger since November as we go into the second part of the season.

“Terry Dixon has been a great signing for us and it shows how serious we are at Dunstable to step up into the next level.”

Despite playing against the wind, Dunstable had most of the attacking play in the first half as they gained revenge over one of only two teams to have beaten them this season.

Town almost opened the scoring, but Tony Burnett could only head against the bar with the heroic Lee Pearce saving the follow-up.

United’s Bradley Morris saw his deflected shot hit the foot of the post before Roache connected with a long clearance and cut in from the right before firing home from a difficult angle.

The second half was just two minutes old when a severe storm meant the referee took the players off the pitch with play resuming after a half-hour break.

Dunstable proceeded to attack relentlessly, but a breakaway saw the visitors net an unlikely equaliser through substitute Jackson.

A superb keeping performance from man of the match Lee Pearce kept the score down, but he couldn’t do anything when Roache wove his magic inside the box just before the hour to restore Dunstable’s lead.

The deplorable conditions made for scrappy and comedic encounter at times and it was through a goalmouth mêlée that Dixon increased the lead, before Roache completed his hat-trick at the death in a similar manner.

Barton Rovers’ home game with Slough Town, meanwhile was post due to a waterlogged pitch.

This Saturday Dunstable go to Daventry Town and Barton head to AFC Hayes and the following Tuesday the two clash at Sharpenhoe Road.

Blues: Jamie Head, Danny Hutchins, Danny Murphy (Tony Burnett 80), Joseph Bruce, Marc Leach, Moses Olaleye (C), Adam Watkins, Bernard Christie, Lee Roache, Terry Dixon, Christopher Marsh. Substitutes not used: Tony Fontanelle, Danny Ryan, Leon Cashman, Byron Bubb.

Blues: Lee Pearce, Danny McDonnell, Dan Carter, Danny Bennell (C), Carlton Stewart, Michael Dart, Daniel Vincent, David Taylor, Bradley Morris, Louis Stead, Anton Robinson. Substitutes: Omar Vassell, Wayne Jackson, Aaron Silcott.

Referee: Rob Smith.

Assistant Referees: Neil Morrison and Michael Oakes.

Attendance: 120.

Star Blue: Lee Roache.