McClelland wins it for AFC Dunstable

AFC Dunstable made it three wins in a week with a 1-0 victory at FC Romania on Saturday.

Max Hercules, Alasan Ann and Lewis Thorpe were all still missing due to suspensions and injury, as Christian Tavernier earned a starting place after a good substitute appearance midweek with Luke Beckwith on the bench.

The game was a dull affair early on, both teams creating little, but AFC started to up the tempo, Tyriq Hunte unable to connect with Sam McClelland's cross in the 16th minute.

Charlie Pattison had a goalbound shot blocked on the line, as he then hit a fine crossfield ball to Louie Collier whose first time volley just went wide.

It was the same combination moments later, Pattison's pinpoint diagonal ball to Collier saw the latter unable to force the ball home.

With 34 minutes gone, Gedeon Okito's cross found Lucas Kirkpatrick, but his header deflected behind.

Three minutes later AFC went even closer, Collier breaking the back-line and unleashing a cross-shot that just evaded Hunte at the far post.

Just before half time McClelland connected with a cross from the right but saw his powerful header go agonisingly wide.

After the break, the visitors had a golden chance as Collier and Kirkpatrick combined to make the home keeper Tommy Dixon-Hodge work, Hunte firing the rebound over from close range.

The breakthrough finally came just after the hour when Kirkpatrick's corner found McClelland at the front post who volleyed home from six yards out.

In the 65th minute Hunte had a powerful shot saved by Dixon-Hodge, as Romania threatened, Panayiotis Boxer heading wide for the hosts, while Hunte saw another effort blocked.

Substitute John Shamalo fired high and wide with 10 minutes to go, as the visitors held firm for a clean sheet.

AFC: Head; Longden; Okito; R Frater; McClelland; Tavernier; Collier (Griffith 90); Frederick; Hunte (J Shamalo 73); Kirkpatrick (Beckwith 90); Pattison.

Subs not used: Abraham, Grant.

Man of the match: Gedeon Okito.