AFC Dunstable are well beaten by Ampthill Town

AFC Dunstable keeper Ryan Darby turned in a man of the match performance to give the scoreline some respectability as they lost 3-0 at Molten Spartan SML Premier Division leaders Ampthill Town on Saturday.

The hosts scored all three of their goals in the first half, as manager Steve Heath said: “The first half performance was probably the worst since I have been at the club.

“But to draw the second half was our objective at the break.

“Ampthill are a quality side and they showed it today and it was a good test for the young lads.

“We do not have a game now until January 11 so it gives me the chance to work with them on the training ground and I can hopefully bring in a couple of new faces.”

Max Farrelly was handed his AFC debut after his move from Aylesbury FC, but this was by far Dunstable’s toughest game since Heath took charge.

With AFC so tender in years and Town’s team full of seasoned players, the difference showed in the first half as Ampthill netted all three of their goals.

Ampthill worked hard with their potent attack of Lester and Watson always looking dangerous.

Town soon settled and had early chances before Warren Garcia laid on a chance which Watson (15) finished off well.

More sloppy play by AFC handed their hosts their second on 34 minutes when Lester crashed home a long range shot.

Ampthill continued to press forward as AFC keeper Ryan Darby pulled off four outstanding saves and, when he was beaten, the woodwork came to his rescue.

But Town made it 3-0 before the break when Taylor headed home on 43 minutes.

AFC made changes at the break as Matt Langston made his debut and James Bishop was introduced.

The visitors competed better in the second half as Farrelly came more into the game as he linked up well with Bishop, but most of the goalmouth action was still at the AFC end as Town might have had more but for Darby.

A couple of decent chances fell to Jamal Harvey and Connor Smith as AFC started to test Martyn Conway, while Darby continued to perform heroics at the other end.

He made a number of good stops, while Phil Draycott smashed the bar with a 20-yard free-kick.

Taylor and Sam Holmes both spurned good opportunities late on as Town were unable to add to their first half tally.

Meanwhile, Langston and Connor Deadman managed a couple of headed efforts late on, but AFC couldn’t find the target.

This Saturday Ampthill go to Holmer Green in the league, having beaten them twice, away in the FA Cup and at home in the league, and visit Hanwell Town in the second round of the Dudley Latham Memorial (Premier Division) Cup on Tuesday.

Attendance: 56.