AFC Dunstable ease to Tring win to go sixth

AFC Dunstable moved back up a place to sixth in the Molten Spartan SML Premier Division with a professional 3-0 win over Tring Athletic at The Grassroots Stadium on Saturday.

Tring, who had registered a 4-0 win against Cockfosters in the week, knew a win would put them above AFC in the table, but goals from Fabio Bufano (26), Chris Francis (35) and Connor Smith (49) gave the visitors victory.

Matt Langston missed the game due to a tight hamstring, so Alfie Maci partnered Fabio Bufano in the centre of AFC’s defence.

Marcus Campbell was given a start in midfield and Courtney Massey regained his place in the starting line-up due to Max Farrelly’s unavailability, while the fit-again Chris Francis replaced the unlucky Ryan Quinn up front.

Having watched Tring’s midweek win, AFC manager Steve Heath said: “I was not sure if Tring played well or Cockfosters just did not turn up on the night.

“These spying missions pay off, as I thought Tring could be got at at set-pieces.”

Heath’s tactics paid off when Bufano’s bullet header from a corner gave AFC the lead on 26 minutes.

With AFC’s defence looking tight, Tring’s forwards struggled to make any impact.

With Francis giving Tring’s back line plenty of problems with his unselfish play and sheer hard work, he was rewarded with 10 minutes left of the first half when he held off two mighty challenges to lob the keeper.

Tring continued to push forward and on the stroke of half time Ryan Darby pulled off a fine point-blank save to preserve their two-goal lead.

Any hopes of a Tring comeback were quashed at the start of the second half when Smith volleyed home against his former club.

With AFC now were well on top they started to play the ball around with ease, soaking up all Tring had to throw at them, and looking dangerous on the break.

Darby was again called into action as he made a low save to keep his clean sheet intact, while Quinn should have had a penalty at the other end when he was pulled back, but maybe went down too easy for the ref’s liking.

Heath added: “It’s so good when your plans come off and that’s why I insist players make training.

“Matt, Jacko and myself put plans in place and hope the players take it all in and to be fair today they did.

“We will have a real test next Saturday, when we host Colney Heath at Creasey Park.

“They are a very competitive side and it will be a massive challenge for us.”

Meanwhile, AFC are hoping Craig Butler makes a speedy recovery form a broken leg suffered while playing for his Sunday side Club Lewsey.

This Saturday AFC host Colney Heath and on Tuesday go to Stotfold.

Attendance: 106.