Roache fires hat-trick as Blues stay top

Dunstable Town remained top of the Molten Spartan SML Premier Division by beating St Margaretsbury 5-3 in an eight-goal thriller at Creasey Park on Saturday.

After an even start Dunstable took the lead on 17 minutes as top scorer Lee Roache held off four defenders before turning to score a trademark goal.

The second half was full of incident and, after Roache had neatly lobbed the home side into a two-goal lead three minutes in, Billy Baird was sent off for upending Roache.

The visitors were then awarded a disputed penalty on 51 minutes that Ricky Light converted, but Town made it thee when substitute Danny Hutchins, on loan from Hemel Hempstead Town, fired home with 18 minutes left.

Substitute Stevie Tutalamo tapped home from close range following a free-kick with five minutes to go, only for Dunstable substitute Chris Francis to restore their two-goal cushion just a minute later.

Ten-man Saints went down fighting as Leigh Rose made it 4-3 a minute into stoppage time, but Roache completed his hat-trick in the third minute of stoppage time to secure victory.

Dunstable host Stony Stratford Town in the second round of the Challenge Trophy on Tuesday evening.

For a full report, see the Luton News/Dunstable Gazette on sale this week.