AFC Dunstable book final place with Barton Rovers win

Lady Luck smiled on AFC Dunstable as they overcame 10-man Barton Rovers 3-2 in an incident-packed and entertaining game at Creasey Park on Wednesday night to qualify for the Bedfordshire Senior Trophy final.

They will now face Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central side Biggleswade Town at Kenilworth Road in early May.

Manager Alex Butler said: “Barton showed great courage and tenacity when going down to 10 men, but after having the bad end of decisions in recent games AFC this time had decisions going their way.

“More importantly though just about every player put in a shift and deserve the reward of a final in the most prestigious none-league competition in the county.”

After an even start Barton took the lead on seven minutes through Bobby Dance’s penalty following a rash challenge from AFC’s Lee Burgoyne.

AFC fought there way into the game and levelled when defender Courtney Massey’s cross deceived the keeper and nestled in the top corner.

The Dunstable side proceeded to take control as, between them, Graham Clark and Dale Turney managed to hit the bar and draw a couple of good saves from keeper Kyle Forster.

At the other end AFC gave away needless free-kicks, but Barton couldn’t convert these opportunities into goals.

After the break AFC’s James Baldry was tugged down in the box on 55 minutes and Craig Butler coolly dispatched the penalty past Forster.

Barton had Johnny McNamara dismissed following an incident in the box, but rallied as they threw caution to the wind to take the initiative.

AFC keeper Sam Legitt was forced to make a good save before Barton equalised through a header from a 78th-minute corner.

Both teams were denied possible penalties, but AFC booked their place in the final with a goal four minutes into injury time.

Barton’s keeper Forster looked favourite to gather a long thru ball, but as Clarke showed great determination to beat Forster to a long though ball to somehow nick the ball past the keeper and into the net to spark wild celebrations.

For Rovers Aaron Lansiquot hit the post, Paul Andrews and Bobby Dance the bar and James Bent had one cleared off the line as it proved not to be their night.

Rovers chairman Darren Whiley added: “Barton Rovers wish AFC the best of luck in the final, they had luck on their side on Wednesday and I hope that continues for them.”

Tomorrow night (Tuesday) AFC are due to go to Haringey Borough in the Molten Spartan SML and Barton Rovers are due to host Daventry Town in Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central.

On Thursday AFC head to St Margaretsbury, on Saturday host Biggleswade United and on Tuesday week visit Hertford Town, while on Saturday Rovers go to Aylesbury.

AFC: Leggitt, Massey, Ryan, Lauder, Baldry, Hawes, Harnamann, Butler, Turney, Clarke, Burgoyne. Substitutes: Wills.

Rovers: Forster, Vaughan, Smeaton (Antcliff 70), Bent, Dance, Hull, Andrews, Lansiquot, Maltay, McNamara, Edgerley (James 75). Substitutes not used: Wilmot