Successive league defeats for AFC Dunstable

AFC Dunstable slipped to their second successive league defeat as they were beaten by Mark Summers’ well-taken goal midway through the first half.

The result could have been a lot worse for Steve Heath’s side too had keeper Ricky Perks not pulled off two superb saves late in the game.

With the conditions not conducive to flowing football, the visitors adapted better, showing more desire and urgency which was to prove the difference.

AFC were again without the league’s top scorer BJ Christie due to injury and added to that, skipper Moses Olaleye (knee) and Josh Humbert (dead leg) were absent.

Both teams cancelled each other out early on, as it took a sublime finish from Summers on 23 minutes to break the deadlock.

In the second period, the Lillywhites should have doubled their lead five minutes in when a header from close range was somehow cleared off the line.

The home side were finding it hard to create chances and without the scoring exploits of Christie, it was becoming obvious, the Hoddesdon defenders were on top.

The closest AFC came to bothering Hoddesdon’s keeper was when Courtney Massay’s cross found Brandon Carney at the far post, but he sent a looper header wide.

Late on, Town upped the pressure and would have won by more had it not been for two wonderful saves from Perks.

A philosophical AFC boss Steve Heath said after the game “Without doubt Hoddesdon deserved the win. It has been a difficult 10 days to contend with and it is sods law, that we have had injuries to influential players at this time.

“We have had three very tough league games that have come around, but we will just have to get on with it.

“I have great belief in my squad and all the players are pulling in the right direction.”

The result saw AFC remain in second place, although trail leaders London Colney by four points, albeit with a game in hand.

This weekend, they head to fellow Premier Division side Stotfold in the FA Vase.

AFC: Perks, Massay, N Carney, Ryan, Griffiths, Griffith, B Carney, Bufano, Frederick, Gorman, Cashman.

Subs used: Hall, Cooper, Jones. Subs not used: Byron, Olaleye.

Attendance: 79.