15th August - Kempston Rovers 1 AFC Dunstable 0

Kempston are rapidly becoming AFC's bogey side in the league, as out of three games played so far in the Southern League, they have won all three by the odd goal.

On this occasion, it took a wonderful free kick from Ben Shepherd on 57 minutes to separate the two teams.

AFC went into the game with an unchanged team which beat Fleet Town 4-0 on Saturday. Straight from the off it was obvious this game was turning out to be a lot tougher.

The first piece of action saw Kempston claim a penalty but the appeals were waved away. The first big chance fell to AFC's Adiel Mannion on 20 minutes. As the ball dropped to him he fired high and wide with the goal on offer. The visitors were now forcing a few corners and Ryan Frater had a header on goal but his effort was wide.

Half time: Kempston Rovers 0 AFC Dunstable 0

While the game was a tight affair, AFC were just about shading the possession and again came close when a Lee Close header flashed across the home sides goal.

With the hour approaching came the only goal of the game. When Terry Griffiths gave away a free kick 20 yards from goal, up stepped Shepherd to put away a fine free kick.

AFC continued to probe, without really forcing the Kempston keeper into any saves. With 10 minutes remaining, Jamie Head was called into action to save from a neat Kempston move.

Still the visitors went all out for the equaliser, but the home side broke up anything they could muster, as they worked extremely hard to deny any opportunities. They nearly though scrambled a leveler in added on time but the ball just would not drop AFC's way.

Steve Heath cut a frustrated figure at full time saying " we did not deserve to lose that game but a worldy from a free kick gave them the points. I thought a point a piece would have been fair reflection on the game. We now go to Potton on Friday night in the FA Cup and we need to be more clinical"

Team: Head. Massay. Carney. R.Frater. Griffiths. Close. Mannion (Campbell 82). Olaleye (Bishop 82). Hall. Tavernier. Silford (N.Frater 65). Subs not used. Byron. Morgan

Attendance 80.

 

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