Battling Blues triumph to go clear at the top

Dunstable Town’s 12th successive league win saw them go three points clear at the top of Calor Southern League Division One Central thanks to Saturday’s topsy-turvy 3-2 triumph over Northwood at Creasey Park.

Despite missing several key players the Blues twice came from behind to deservedly triumph as the sides exchanged penalties in the first half.

The Woods opened the scoring after seven minutes when Niko Muir converted his spot-kick, but Adam Watkins equalised in like fashion for the home side on 24 minutes.

Northwood regained the lead on 38 minutes when Karl Oliyide twice headed against the bar before defender Steve Brown put a third effort into the top right-hand corner.

Dunstable responded immediately and levelled a minute later when the unmarked BJ Christie slotted home from Christopher Marsh’s corner.

Oliyide should have put the Woods ahead again at the start of the second half when he seized on a bad backpass but missed with a poor finish.

With the wind behind them, Dunstable continued to press and scored what turned out to be the winner after 56 minutes they took the lead for the first time when Marsh’s free-kick found the top corner without any player getting a touch.

Strikers Lee Roache and Christie drew point-blank saves form the outstanding Jake Knight and, although Northwood countered when they could, the closing stages grew scrappy as the weather worsened.

Meanwhile, Barton Rovers’ home game with Kettering Town was postponed.

Thursday sees Rovers head to local rivals Leighton Town and Dunstable go to Royston Town, on Saturday Barton host Beaconsfield SYCOB and Dunstable entertain Chalfont St Peter, while on New Year’s Day Dunstable are home to Leighton Town.

Blues: Jamie Head, Joseph Bruce, Danny Murphy (Taishan Griffith 90+4), Leon Cashman, Danny Ryan, Moses Olaleye (C), Adam Watkins (Harrison Carr 85), Tony Burnett, Lee Roache, BJ Christie, Chris Marsh. Substitutes not used: Nathan Frater, Tony Fontanelle.

Woods: Jake Knight, Jack Pattison, Oliver Sprague, Mark Burgess, Steve Brown, Tommy Walsh (Tom Pegrum), Joakim Ehui, Craig White, Niko Muir, James Burgess, Karl Oliyide. Substitutes not used: Nicholas George, Charlie Parker, Giles Townsend.

Referee: Kevin Seckington.

Assistant Referees: Paul Cooper and Andrew Humphries.

Attendance: 98.

Star Blue: Chris Marsh.