Roache bags brace to send Dunstable Town top of the table

A brace from Dunstable Town hotshot Lee Roache sent the Blues top of Calor Southern League Division One Central with a 2-0 victory at AFC Hayes on Saturday.

Roache struck in each half and, with rivals Barton Rovers being held to a 1-1 at Aylesbury United, the Blues went one point clear at the top.

Director of football John McLoughlin: “We have finally got to the top of the league with desire and determination and we have that in abundance.

“Lee Roache was tremendous as was the defence and especially Marc Leach and Danny Hutchins.”

Town have also raided neighbours for two news additions, as McLoughlin continued: “We have options on the bench now that we have finally signed Danny Ryan from AFC and we all know that BJ Christie has found his form and we welcome them to the squad.

“This gives us depth within the squad and with the busy fixture period coming soon we need quality all around the park.

Both sides found it hard get shots on target in a dour encounter on a heavy pitch at Farm Park.

But Dunstable’s patient play started to create the better chances and they took the lead on 25 minutes when midfielder Adam Watkins’ shot was parried by Ben Goode, but right into the path of the lurking Roache who tapped in the rebound from close range.

Roache very nearly added a second right at the start of the second half from Jerome Federico’s cross, but Goode was alert and brave as he came off his line to snuff out the danger.

However, Roache did make it 2-0 five minutes into the second half when he superbly controlled defender Marc Leach’s skied through ball before slotting past the advancing keeper.

The Brook rallied, but found Dunstable’s defence in fine form, while keeper Jamie Head produced two fine late saves as Town recorded their eighth consecutive league win to go to the head of the table for the first time.

This Tuesday Dunstable entertain Slough Town and on Saturday the Blues host Chertsey Town.

McLoughlin added: “We have a massive game on Tuesday against Slough who are also on fine form so it could be a cracker.

“We have Barton coming up soon and hopefully they will not need to call the game off so we can get that one out of the way.

“We are eight games unbeaten and we told the players that we needed a good run after a poor start and as always they have responded.

“We are only two points away from what we set our goal out to be after this amount of games so Tuesday’s game is vital for not only Dunstable, but I am sure Slough. Hopefully we can get some support for this match.”

Brook: Ben Goode, Ricky Machel, Charlie Crane, Dan Bailey, Charlie Goode, Mitch Gough (Paul Underwood 52), Romayne Thomas, Jake Cass, Lawrie Shennan, Drew Harewood, Lee McManus. Substitutes used: M Vincent, Paul Underwood, Tashan Jordan. Substitutes not used: J Elleston, Rhys Rabess.

Blues: Jamie Head, Danny Hutchins, Danny Murphy (Tony Fontanelle 84), Joseph Bruce, Marc Leach, Moses Olalaye (C), Adam Watkins, Jerome Federico (Jonathan Cooper 65), Lee Roache, Nathan Frater, Christopher Marsh (Bernard Christie 68). Substitutes not used: Tony Burnett.

Referee: Lee Marshalsay.

Assistant Referees: Mike Heavey and Larry Smith.

Star Blue: Danny Hutchins.

Attendance: 72.