AFC DUNSTABLE 3 (Hall 27, Christie 60, Sturgess 65 (OG)
THAME UNITED 0
Saturday 2/3/19
15:00
Creasey Park, Dunstable
Weather – 12 celsius, very windy
*** STARTING LINE UPS ***
AFC Dunstable – Green (gk), Roberts, Ajayi, Frater, Carney, Tavernier, Powell, McNulty, Christie, Cashman (cpt) , Hall
Subs used – Griffith and Fryer
Thame United – Hill (gk), Mepham, Lynn, Essex, Jewell, Ashworth, Tack, Sturgess (cpt), Goss, Peake-Pijnen, Fasanmade
Subs used – Tutton, Carter and Martin
HT Score – 1 – 0
There was early drama 10 minutes before kick off whereby Thame had to make a late change to the starting line up due to injury to top scorer West. He was replaced by midfielder Peake-Pijnen, who actually was playing on his 21st birthday. Thame’s Fasanmade would make the late move to play up the top.
AFC Dunstable also elected to play the first half with the wind which would have an impact on both team’s play.
The first five minutes was tentative from both sides until the first chance of the game fell to Dunstable whereby a move down the left wing resulted in a shot from distance going wide of the post. Thame made a tactical change and were attempting to hit balls to the flanks and started to have more possession of the ball via Tack and Peake-Pijnen and forward Fasanmade.
In return AFC Dunstable were trying to find Christie playing up the top to the left, but Dunstable were found offside multiple times in the first 15 minutes. Dunstable’s direct play towards Christie and behind the defence did actually work in the first half and made it a difficult first half for Mepham, Essex and Jewell.
One of the best passages of play in the first half was when Thame threatened on their left wing whereby an attacking run by Fasanmade led to him cutting inside the defender and drilling a shot inches past the post much to Green’s relief. Thame were appearing more organised as a side keeping their formation and pressing as a team. Then against the run of play no challenge on the midfielder led to a through ball to Hall who was able to slot the ball past Hill to make it 1-0. Dunstable continued the pressure for the next 5 minutes with successive corners, one of which created a half chance for a goal Ajayi in the box who narrowly headed wide. Thame had to wait some time until another opportunity whereby a well struck half volley by Peake-Pijnen hit Green’s legs for a corner.
The half ended in controversy whereby a foul on Goss which appeared dangerous was deemed only a yellow card by the referee and resulted in 7 minutes of injury time. This led to verbal exchanges between both side’s following the half time whistle.
FT Score – 3 – 0
Thame responded with a positive start to the second half playing the ball on the ground rather than in the air. The first chance of the half led to an unmarked Tack shooting over the bar. Thame continued the positive spell by another amazing run by Fasanmade down the right wing crossed towards a running Tack inside the box who appeared by taken out by the defender but no penalty was awarded much to Thame’s displeasure.
Dunstable slowly made it into the second half and in the 60th minute a diagonal ball behind the defender found Christie unmarked who scuffed the shot but the placement was there for the ball still to find the net to give Dunstable a 2-0 lead at home.
In the 65th minute a foul outside the box led to a free kick which was fired in and Thame’s sturgess lept up attempting to head the ball away but incidently headed the ball into the top corner of the net to seal the victory for Dunstable. Thame did still seatch for a goal and were attempting crosses into the box from both flanks but often these were easily picked up by the Dunstable defence.
The scoreline did flatter Dunstable but this was a case of taking the key chances when they come. Dunstable also did play well to the conditions and the tactic of getting the ball to Christie when possible was a success. This may not have been a pleasing game of football to watch for a neutral due to all the stoppages in play but it certainly wasn’t without drama.
Following 3 points today AFC Dunstable have climbed the table up to 10th and just 4 points behind the playoff hunt. Despite the defeat on the road Thame have remained in 5th place due to Berkhamstead losing at home to Bedford Town.
*** NEXT GAME ***
Thame United v Corby Town
Saturday 9/3/19
15:00
ASM Stadium, Thame
