VIDEO: Dashing Dunstable add to stricken Kettering’s plight

Dunstable Town saw off stricken Kettering Town 4-1 at Creasey park in Calor Southern League Division One Central on Tuesday night.

With mounting problems off-field, Kettering were overawed by a sparkling second half performance from Dunstable.

Blues chairman Roger Dance said: “Of course we wanted to win, but no-one at this or any other club would like to see such a famous non-league club as Kettering Town fold.

“We have had some experience of financial difficulty as a club and fully understand and appreciate their plight.”

Director of football John Mcloughlin was fearful the win might count for nothing, saying: “It’s a shame to think that we may lose the points as Kettering Town may not be able to get away from the winding up order as we played tremendously, Chris Marsh showed his best form to date producing a great performance and a great finish for his goal and two goals from set play was also pleasing this win puts us in fourth spot and sets us up well against Aylesbury on Saturday.”

And he also revealed the Blues had been busy in the transfer market again, saying: “We also have released Danny Mead and Wayne Mills and we have signed Danny Hutchins who is back to his best.”

Lee Roache rounded the keeper for the Blues’ 31st opener, but it was cancelled out by Jonathan Thorpe four minutes before the break when he was allowed free header.

But this was really the end of Kettering’s good fortune as they were overwhelmed in the second half with Dunstable continually on the attack and looking particularly dangerous down the left flank where Chris Marsh was a gleeful provider and eventually scorer of the goal of the game.

Dunstable regained the lead on 51 minutes when Joseph Bruce headed home and this was followed when central defender Marc Leach replicated the goal with a header of his own seven minutes later.

And in stoppage time Marsh eluded two defenders to net a fine individual goal.

Manager Darren Croft added: “The club has decided to make a gesture of donating a pound for every adult entrant to Kettering towards their fighting fund.

“Of the game we had a fairly even first half but the second half saw us a good deal more incisive especially on the left.

“Chris Marsh’s goal right at the end was something special - and it was good to see two central defenders score.

“We are up to fourth place now, but must wait and see what happens.

“If Kettering do go under then all their results are expunged and all we will end up with is a game in hand.”

Dunstable travel to Aylesbury’s Haywood Way on Saturday before facing Hertford Town away in the FA Cup.

Blues: Jamie Head, Tony Fontanelle, Danny Murphy (Leon Cashman), Joseph Bruce, Marc Leach, Moses Olaleye (C), Adam Watkins, Nathan Frater, Lee Roache, Matt Nolan (Tony Burnett), Chris Marsh. Substitutes not used: Damen Pickering, Taishan Griffith, Warren Plowright.

Poppies: Michael Quirke, Luke Trotman, (Will Muzvimbiri), Nathan Fox, Chris Logan, Dave Deeney, cautioned, Brad Piercewright (Jake Newman), Louis Hamilton, Steve Kinniburgh, Rob Foster, (James Tricks), Jonathan Thorpe, Ash Fuller. Substitutes not used: Lewis Wilson, Rob Maddox.

Star Blue: Chris Marsh.

Referee: Rob Hodges.

Assistant Referees: Andrew Hickson and Mike Heavey.