Dunstable fall to Saints defeat

Dunstable Town lost their first pre-season game against a very strong St Albans City side at Creasey Park on Tuesday night.

The hosts were almost handed a great start as Lee Roache on was brought down in the penalty area with the game just three minutes old. After dusting himself off, Roache stepped up but saw his tame effort saved by Saints keeper Tom Coulton.

St Albans then started to show their dominance and broke the deadlock in the seventh minute, former Luton Town playe Mark Nwokeji opening the scoring, finishing off a well worked counter-attack.

The disappointment of missing his penalty didn’t stop Roache from spearheading every Dunstable attack and he was rewarded for his work as he was fouled again in the area, forcing the referee to award Town a second penalty on 11 minutes.

This time Roache stepped aside and gave the duties to Stephen O’Leary who smoothly converted for the equaliser.

Despite chances for both teams the score was level at the break which brought the numerous amount of substitutions.

St Albans started to dominate the second half and regained the lead on 57 minutes, a poor clearance from Town keeper Jamie Head gave prolific striker John Frendo a chance which he duly obliged.

Dunstable had plenty of opportunities to equalise but any hopes of a draw were scuppered when substitute Ryan Ashe scored seven minutes from time to complete the 3-1 win for the visitors.

Dunstable continue their pre season campaign with a trip to Ampthill Town on Saturday, before playing their friendly at Bedford Town on Saturday, August 10.

Dunstable: Jamie Head, Wayne Mills, Danny Murphy, Joe Bruce, Leon Cashman, Moses Olaleye, Nathan Frater, Stephen O’Leary, Lee Roache, Matt Nolan.

Substitutes: Tony Fontanelle, Danny Mead, Adam Watkins, Taishan Griffiths, Tony Burnett.

St Albans: Tom Coulton, Howard Hall, Lee Chappell, Chris O’Leary, Ben Martin, Ryan Wharton, David Keenleyside, Jame Comley, John Frendo, Mark Nwokeji, Richard Graham.

Substitutes: Aryan Tajbakhsh, Chris Henry, Aston Goss, Ryan Ashe.

Attendance: 103