AFC Dunstable triumph to claim Barton Rovers semi-final

AFC Dunstable were forced to withstand a late comeback as they progressed to the semi-finals of the Bedfordshire Senior Cup last night (Tuesday) with a 3-2 win at Stotfold.

Having gone 3-0 up, AFC were cruising for much of the game, but were made to defend resolutely in the last 20 minutes to book their place against Barton Rovers in the last four.

Playing against the win in the first half, AFC gained control from the off.

Good keeping and some fine saves prevented Jay Blackett and Dale Turney from scoring early on, but good combination play from Courtney Massey and Lee Burgoyne set Graham Clark up, who expertly volleyed past the onrushing keeper to put AFC ahead with five minutes of the half left to play.

Simple chances were missed at both ends before AFC extended their lead shortly after the break, when Lee Burgoyne smashed the ball into the corner from just inside the box.

And AFC were in dreamland on the hour when a move involving three players put in Hayden Wills who expertly slotted past the onrushing keeper.

The visitors should have been out of site two minutes later when the same player rounded the keeper, but a last-ditch tackle prevented him from finishing.

From this point on Stotfold pushed everyone forward, and deservedly pulled back two quick goals through Paul Garrett to leave AFC hanging on for the last 15 minutes.

And, although AFC created their own chances, they needed some resolute defending by captain Dan Ryan and young Jack Lauder to see the game out.

Boss Alex Butler added: “Roker Park is never an easy place to come, and overall I am full of praise for the commitment of our players, who had to really dig in for the final quarter of the game.

“They fully deserve their reward of a prestigious semi-final draw against higher league Barton.”

AFC are back in Molten Spartan SML Premier Division action this Saturday, with a tricky game away to Berkhamsted.