HIGHLIGHTS: Talbot bags two as Dunstable defeat City

Dunstable Town assistant boss Danny Talbot celebrated his birthday in style with two goals as the Blues climbed to third in the table by beating Cambridge City at the weekend.

The hosts, who had won the Southern League Premier Division team of the month award for December, continued their sparkling form, making it four home wins on the spin.

Victory had to be done the hard way as Dunstable were without Connor Calcutt and Chris Vardy, as Lee Roache came in, with Cambridge taking the lead on five minutes when skipper Buster Harradine’s excellent diagonal shot flew into the net.

However, Dunstable’s response was almost immediate and within two minutes they were level, as Talbot converted from close range.

Adam Watkins and Steve Wales then had efforts blocked, while Cambridge went close too through Kaan Fehmi.

The Blues were in front for the first time on 33 minutes though when Talbot’s corner was swung in and went through a crowd of players to nestle in the far corner for his second of the game.

Talbot came close to a third when from another corner, Harradine was forced to clear off the line.

In the second period, City threatened when Duran Reynolds’ free kick was tipped over by Jamie Head, while Howard Hall blocked another effort from Ieuan Lewis and then Head held Reynolds’ deflected attempt.

Harradine and Paul Cooper sent efforts over the top, while Talbot was denied his hat-trick after an excellent stop by Zac Barrett.

Dunstable had breathing space on 65 minutes when Barrett fumbled a long range shot and Wales tapped in the rebound.

Late on, Harradine brought another good save out of Head, while David Keenleyside’s fine strike was inches over and Steven Gregory’s shot landed on the roof of the net.

The Blues comfortably held on though to extend their unbeaten run to eight games, as they now trail leaders Chippenham by a mere six points.

Tomorrow night, Dunstable travel to Chesham United.

To view the goals from Saturday’s game, click on the link above.

Dunstable: Jamie Head, Zack Reynolds, Howard Hall, Danny Talbot (Luke Pennell), James Kaloczi ©, Adam Pepera, Adam Watkins (Gedeon Okito), Steven Wales (Gary Wharton), Lee Roache, Steven Gregory, David Keenleyside.

City: Zac Barrett, Paul Cooper, Charlie Day, Adam Murray, Lee Chaffey, Duran Reynolds (Brad Mason-Jones), Kaan Fehmi, Jon Kaye, Joe Norris (Alex Serrano), Ieuan Lewis, Buster Harradine (C).

Subs not used: Charlie Woolfe, Neil Midgely.

Attendance: 151.