Dunstable Town net late double for vital win

A THRILLING finale saw Dunstable Town net two late goals to snatch a 3-2 victory over Haringey Borough on Tuesday night and narrow the gap at the top of the Molten Spartan SML Premier Division.

Lee Roache’s header two minutes from time secured maximum points for the Blues in a clash of two attack-minded sides.

Dominating early on, Borough gave Dunstable little time to settle and played at an impressive pace.

Roland Namquita stroked in a perfect cross to put the visitors ahead on 26 minutes.

Dunstable were too frequently offside and struggled to break down Haringey’s well-drilled defence.

The Blues pressed hard, but the closest they came to an equaliser was Jonathan Cooper’s splendid lob that drew a magnificent save from Ryohei Tamai.

Borough again seized the initiative in the opening spell of the second half and severely tested Dunstable, who reacted well and forced a number of corners.

It was another piece of individual skill from Cooper that brought the equaliser, following good work from skipper Peter Holmes.

This goal seemed to open the game up with both sides having chances in a match played at a frenetic pace.

After a combined effort from Matthew Judge and Mark Boyce, Borough gained possession and immediately attacked, with Richard Worrell restoring their lead as he converted neatly from a cross.

Holmes came close for the Blues with a sizzling shot that was just tipped over the bar as both sides looked to increase their tallies.

The outstanding Tamai coped well with the pressure on his goal, but from yet another corner he made his one vital error and unaccountably palmed Holmes’ inswinging delivery into his own net for the Blues equaliser.

Both sides could have netted the winner in the last five minutes, but thankfully for Dunstable it was substitute Lee Roache who rose to the occasion with a match-deciding header with two minutes to go.

Keeper Paul Taylor showed enormous bravery to deny what seemed a certain leveller for Borough, but sustained an injury to his arm and hand, although battled until the end where he saved another last-ditch Haringey effort.

On Saturday, Dunstable had laboured to a 2-1 win over Stotfold with goals from Nicholas Leach and Cooper.

Blues face a tricky trip to Leverstock Green on Saturday and entertain Bletchley Town in the third round of the Challenge Trophy on Tuesday night.