IT WASN’T PRETTY BUT WE GOT THE JOB DONE IN THE END

Whisper it quietly but we are starting to put together a decent run of form following a disappointing run of results from late August until mid September when we lost 5 games on the bounce.

Ryan Sturges and his team of coaches have since rejigged the line up and brought in some very talented youngsters from our very impressive youth side and the results during the last 6 games have been remarkable with 5 wins and 4 clean sheets. The one exception was the 3-2 defeat at Biggleswade United where we carelessly let slip a 2 goal advantage.

Our line up included 16 year olds Noah Butler and Jonah Howgego, with the later setting up our late winner, as well as 18 year old Josh Ameganyi making a very assured debut in goal. The welcome return of Dave O’Connor has also been a big bonus and his partnership with Jamie Ovington has given the team a really solid base in central defence.

Dunstable came into the match lying 10th in the table just 2 places and 1 point ahead of us after a run of only 2 defeats in their last 8 matches. From the kick off the game was competitive and at times fractious with little to choose between the teams with the most notable feature being the sight of the Referee showing the yellow card on 8 occasions.

Our guests probably shaded the first half but didn’t test young Josh Ameganyi in goal whose handling was first rate as was his kicking. They won a few corners and had a couple of free kicks in potentially dangerous positions but nothing came of these opportunities. We didn’t win our first corner until the 18th minute when George Carbery’s header found the side netting.

Ten minutes before half time Max Hercules went on a good run and found Noah Butler whose low shot from just outside the area forced the keeper into a good save. Later Max Hercules whipped in a couple of good free kicks which Dave O’Connor headed over. Josh Chamberlain struck a firm drive which went straight at the keeper and the half ended unsurprisingly goalless. HT 0-0.

The second half was more of the same with neither side able to take control or create any real scoring opportunities. Josh Chamberlain skilfully back heeled the ball to Harry Shepherd whose shot went just wide. Joe Selers-West did find the net but was flagged offside as both sides failed to test the keepers.

The opposition’s Captain Alfie Osborne got his head to a decent free kick but his effort went well over the bar. With 10 minutes left on the clock the home supporters were about to celebrate when Max Hercules shot beat the keeper but a defender did well to get back and clear the danger,

With 1 minute of normal time left the game looked destined for a nil - nil draw until our 2 subs combined to claim a very late winner. Lee Stobbs whipped over one of his trade mark crosses to pick out Jonah Howgego at the far post who sensibly nodded the ball back across goal to present Liam Smyth, who had only been on the field for a minute, with an easy header from close range. Score 1-0.

The celebrations amongst our supporters had hardly subsided when Liam Smyth smashed a sitter over the bar although apparently he was offside so it wouldn’t have counted anyway. There was still time for our opponents to mount some last ditched attempts for an equaliser and they did find the net only to be denied by the assistant referee’s flag for offside and we held on for a hard earned 3 points. FT 1-0.

A tough game and a welcome result that saw us climb 3 places to 9th in the table just 6 points behind 5th placed F C Romania who we beat 2-0 away three weeks ago. We are at home again this coming Saturday although there appears to be some confusion as to who we play. According to our website it will be Shefford Town & Campton although according to the FA website it will be F C Romania. We will have to wait and see who we play next. Finally it was good to see a decent crowd of nearly 200 at the game.

TEAM: 1 Josh Ameganyi, 2 Harrison Cornick (Adam Sawyer 78), 3 Noah Butler (Jonah Howgego 78), 4 Frankie Hercules (Guiseppe Delgaudio 66), 5 Josh Chamberlain (Liam Smyth 88), 6 Max Hercules, 7 George Carbery (Capt) (Jack Hervey 68), 8 Jamie Ovington, 9 Dave O’Connor, 10 Lee Stobbs, 11 Harry Shepherd.
Scorer: Liam Smyth (89)

Crowd: 197