AFC Dunstable 3-3 Waltham Abbey

AFC Dunstable 3-3 Waltham Abbey (7-8 on penalties)

Southern League Division One Central – Play-off Semi Final

Wednesday 1st May 2024 

AFC Dunstable’s season came to an end with this agonising and controversial play-off semi final loss on penalties to Waltham Abbey on Wednesday night at Creasey Park.

The game was full of action as you’d expect from two teams who have shared 15 goals between them in the two league games earlier in the season. It was also marked with several controversial moments that took away from a great spectacle of a game.

The Abbots had the first opportunity of the encounter but Eric Ameyaw did really well to block an effort on 8 minutes. AFC then forced several corners which the visitors cleared with ease.

The first moment of controversy soon came when Kwad Bugyei-Kyei lost possession in his own half before seemingly bringing down his opponent who would have been through on goal but the referee waved played on much to the dismay of the Abbots contingent.

Ben Weyman then shot just wide followed by a header over by Waltham Abbey at the other end. Soon after Max Rosner was on the end of a nasty tackle but no yellow card was forthcoming. He was then unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when he seemed to be brought down in the box

The visitors had a header just over the bar but the player was offside, so wouldn’t have counted. Right on half time the deadlock was broken when Jesse Akubuine gave his team the lead to stun the home crowd.

AFC came out with intent in the second half and equalised when Arnold Matshazi hit a left footed shot from just inside the area into the net.

Yellow cards were becoming like confetti as Ben Baker, Jason Hallett Nathan Koranteng (Waltham Abbey) and AFC’s Dan Idiakhoa were all cautioned for separate incidents in the space of ten minutes. The next major moment of frustration for the hosts came when Declan Rydings seemed catch Bugyei-Kyei with his arm. The referee consulted his assistant and only gave a yellow card when most were expecting a red.

In the 62nd minute AFC took the lead when Matshazi scored his second of the game with another fine strike to send the home fans into raptures. They had keeper Josh Ameganvi to thank when he made an outstanding save to deny the Abbots a leveller. Kyle Brooks almost extended their lead but hit his shot straight at Bradley Robinson when through on goal.

AFC were defending well and resolutely but with six minutes of added time indicated, the visitors were awarded a corner in the 99th minute somewhat to the disbelief of everyone in the crowd for the extra minutes being played and with no AFC player touching the ball on its way out. The corner fell to a Waltham Abbey player in a crowded area who scored from close range to equalise in the 100th minute. The hosts were stunned and so were the crowd who fell silent in shock before extra time came.

The visitors were given a lifeline and a pick-me-up. They tried to take advantage as a shot went wide and Ameganvi was again called into action to make another fine save in the first period of extra time.

Seven minutes into the second period it looked as though the game had got away from AFC when Tami Ogunnowo found the net to heap more pain on them but sixty seconds later they were awarded a penalty for handball. Rico Greco stepped up and confidently fired the ball home to level the match.

There was time for yet another yellow card for the Abbots as Akubuine joined his team mates in the long list of bookings as play came to an end and penalties followed.

In fitting with the games between the two teams the shootout wasn’t going to be a short one. Both teams scored their opening three penalties before they both missed in succession. The next two each were converted before both missed again!

The next four penalties were all scored but AFC missed and Waltham Abbey hit the target to send them through to the final 8-7 on penalties and a trip to Bedford Town who beat Ware 2-1 at The Eyrie.

It was a heartbreaking way to end the season for AFC as they had proven many people wrong from the outset. A young, inexperienced side that many thought would struggle, defied the doubters by finishing third in the league and reaching a cup final. A great achievement from a team that was only put together at the start of the season. Huge praise goes to them, the coaches and everyone involved.

Team: Ameganvi; Martin; Bugyei-Kyei (Greco 90′); Weyman; Ameyaw; Rosner; Idiakhoa; Nicolson; Matshazi; Walsh (Ramsay 83′); Brooks (Tamplin 79′).

Subs not used: Bonsu and Duodu.