Christie's quickfire double sends AFC clear at the top

Two cracking BJ Christie goals saw AFC Dunstable move three points clear at the top of the SSML Premier Division table on Wednesday evening with a disciplined performance against Hadley.

The visitors were dealt a blow in the lead-up to the game, after hearing that Brandon Carney’s knee injury from Saturday would see him sit out the rest of the season.

However, it was a chance for Danny Jones to step up to the plate and he did not disappoint, turning in a superb performance to reward his patience throughout the campaign.

AFC knew they would be in for a tough night, as on their day, Hadley are a match for anyone and sitting sixth in the table, still have their sights on a top four finish.

With the visiting midfield working hard to deny Hadley, the defining moment came with 35 minutes on the clock.

A ball was swung out to Christie on the edge of the Hadley box as it came over his shoulder, the striker unleashed a right footed volley which flew into the top corner of the net.

Christie was now on fire, and when he skipped round Harry Sedley three minutes later, he bore down on goal to finish under the advancing Charlie Mann to make it 2-0.

With Hadley carrying on in the same vein after the break, AFC still looked dangerous when they broke up their play.

It was nearly the perfect night for Jones, as on 65 minutes a 30 yard strike looked like arrowing in, only to crash off the crossbar.

With the game drawing to a close, it was once again a chance for AFC boss Steve Heath to give 17-year-old Jake Kissiedu more senior game time.

He nearly capped what would have been a good night for him, when he was one-on-one with Mann, but for the keeper to save with his legs.

The result saw AFC in excellent spirits for a trip to Sun Sports this week as Heath said: “On such a poor pitch, I thought we deserved the win, as here is not one of our more successful hunting grounds.

“Hadley’s manager Micky Hazard does like to set his team up to play the ball out from the back and play through midfield to get to their forwards.

“We worked so hard not to give them the opportunity. They have some very talented players and if you give them any type of room they can hurt you.”

AFC: Perks, Massay, N Carney, Morgan, Cashman, Jones, Gorman, Olaleye, Christie, Humbert, Hall.

Subs used: Byron, Kissiedu. Subs not used: Griffiths, Frater, Silvestri.

Attendance: 43.