Nine-man Colney Heath thwart Blues

DUNSTABLE Town lost top spot in Molten Spartan SML Premier as they were beaten 2-1 by nine-man Colney Heath in a controversial game at Creasey Park on Tuesday.

A fiery encounter featured six cautions and three dismissals and there were shameful scenes in the second half as nine-man Heath held on to inflict Dunstable’s first home league defeat of the season.

Manager Darren Croft said: “We knew it would be a tough, physical encounter, it always is when we play Colney Heath. The problem was that we were drawn into their style of play.

“We were caught cold after their second player was sent off. The long delay had simply taken away our focus, but I cannot excuse our below-par performance.”

The visitors dominated the first half and Dunstable’s Mark Boyce was dismissed seven minutes before the break for retaliation.

And Heath took the lead with a wonder goal in the opening moments of the second half when George Rowland’s free-kick from the left sailed unchallenged into the net.

A few minutes later, improving Dunstable drew level when Peter Holmes’ free-kick hit the post and Nick Leach was on hand at the far post to tap home to level the scores.

Dunstable were looking stronger and the dismissal of Colney’s Josh Humbert resulted in a touchline melee as both teams clashed.

An altercation among players and spectators ensued and his sending off was followed by the dismissal of Glenn Draper.

An unsettled restart saw Dunstable slow to react and Steve Barker nipped in to put the visitors ahead with 11 minutes to play.

Dunstable besieged the opposition goal for the remainder of the match, but were thwarted by keeper Tom Blackman and their own inaccuracy.

Royston Town returned to the top with a 4-0 win at Berkhamsted.

This Monday the Blues travel to near-neighbours Stotfold.