AFC Dunstable 2 Kidlington 0 (0-0 Half time)

Southern League Central Division 1

Creasey Park - Saturday 19 th April 2025.

Attendance – 103

Match report by Richard Church

An end of season match but very much a must win for Kidlington. AFC were down to the bare bones

regarding players meaning that Joe Oxley (our old Manager) made his debut up front and only 4

named subs, including a goalkeeper – one of which was never going to play.

The first half was massively forgettable with only one passage of play to note – a shot from AFC (the

first one of the game) on 37 minutes which was comfortably gathered by the visiting keeper.

Mention has to be made of Joe’s contribution to the game – a decent showing in our hour of need –

fair play to him for his effort.

The second half was much brighter and Kidlington had the early possession and opportunities. It was

really make or break for them and they had to go for it forcing a superb double save by Sam with

eight minutes gone. AFC came in to the game after that and started to create chances – Bruce hit a

shot wide on 53 minutes which seemed to signal some renewed intent for the ODs.

With 64 minutes gone, the game very much swung in our favour. Sim burst through midfield and just

before he reached the area, he was cynically taken down by Zarius Edwards-Giraud leading to a free

kick and an inevitable red card for the defender. A couple of ODs players shaped up to take the kick

but Sim took control and steered the ball home just inside the left hand post to put us 1-0 up –

superb technique.

Kidlington were extremely unfortunate not to equalise 4 minutes later when they hit the bar twice in

the same sequence of play – the first one was actually a finger tip save by Sam to push the ball up on

to the woodwork. The visitors also had an opportunity on 78 minutes with a free header from a

corner but under no pressure it was headed wide. It wasn’t all Kidlington and AFC had a few half

chances as the game wore on – Bruce hit a speculative shot just over and George had a well struck

effort deflected wide.

Just as we had gone in to 5 minutes of added time, the game was settled after Matt won the ball in

midfield with great determination and fed the ball to Levi – his great first touch took him one on one

with the keeper and he smashed the ball home to make it 2-0. Last chance of the game fell to Matt

himself but his shot rolled agonisingly wide of the far post. The ref blew his whistle shortly after that

confirming relegation for our visitors.

Worth noting that AFC ended the game with 6 under 18 players on the pitch – confirming the great

pathway opportunity offered by AFC Dunstable.

Man of the match (as decided by the AFC committee) was Matt Bonsu – great performance after

coming on as sub up front. Battled well, got an assist and so nearly got on the scoresheet himself.

Team line up (subs in brackets) ; Sam Carman, George Joyce, Archie Long-Nicholls, Simone Troso

(Khyan Frazer-Williams 79), Stan Georgiou, Shawn Joseph, Russell Berko (Matt Bonsu 62), Bruce

Ovbiye-Nsang, Abel Damoah-Kyeremeh, Kyle Brooks, Joe Oxley (Levi Nicholson HT).