Dunstable progress in FA Cup

DUNSTABLE Town eased through their FA Cup replay on Tuesday night with a convincing victory over Essex Senior League side Bethnal Green United.

Although the match was played at Creasey Park, United were nominally the home team owing to the unfinished development of their Mile End Stadium.

The first match had ended 1-1 on Saturday, but Blues took an early lead when Nathan Frater turned in a low cross.

Bethnal Green created a golden chance for an equaliser when Junior Appiah’s tantalising cross ought to have been tapped in by a stretching Jay Leader, while Town keeper Paul Taylor made a fine save from another close-range effort.

After the break it was 2-0 when Matthew Judge produced a stunning long range strike to give his side breathing space.

Frater scored his second, finding the bottom right corner, but the game was not without its controversial moments.

Bethnal Green had Jack Sawyer dismissed for dangerous play, followed closely by his manager Justin Gardner whose vehement disputing of the decision was too much for the referee.

Dunstable’s reward for their victory is a home tie in the first qualifying round against fellow Molten Spartan SML Premier Division side Broxbourne Borough on September 17.