AFC Dunstable 2 - 0 Concord Rangers
AFC Dunstable 2 - 0 Concord Rangers
24th AUGUST 2024
AFC came in to this game on a 2 game winning run and welcomed the high flying Concord Rangers – the first time that the two teams had met in any competition. AFC in their changed strip of red – Concord in Yellow.
AFC started on the front foot with a shot just wide from Sean in the first minute, a bit of pinball on 10 with the ball finally ending in the visiting keepers arms after a tame shot and then another well struck shot from Tom C. with 17 gone. Very unfortunate not to have taken the lead in those first 20 minutes or so.
Concord came back in to the game with a couple of decent efforts with a shot in to the side netting and a wild lob shot that flew over the bar – would AFC pay for missed chances? No! – with 37 minutes gone, Phoenix picked up the ball on the right and went on a run down the left wing beating several Concord players being playing in a cross (or was it a shot?) that hit the far post and in to the back of the net to put us 1-0 up.
A pretty evenly fought first half saw the teams go in with AFC 1-0 in the lead.
Concord started the second half with great purpose with their centre forward, Christian Adu Gyamfi storming through on goal only for Kwad to make a beautifully timed tackle to take the ball off his toe and then a terrific shot 5 minutes later that had Josh beaten, but fortunately for us, it bounced off the bar and behind for a goal kick.
This shook AFC in to action and we doubled the lead just after the hour. Following some great work from George down the middle of the park, he played a lovely pass through to Sean who’s first touch took him clear past two defenders and then hit a delightful shot across the keeper in to the far corner. 2-0 AFC.
We were pretty much in control for the remainder of the match but Concord had a good 10 minute spell with Kyle Lynch clearing an effort off the line after Josh had rushed out of his goal to shut down the Concord striker who just got to the ball first – the resulting corner hit the post direct from the taker. There was also a great block from Stan to save what looked like a certain goal. AFC ensured the result with good game management (Harrison particularly warrants a mention for some superb control keeping the ball in the corner in the last minute or so) and relatively comfortably saw the game out to progress through to the next round – a home game against near neighbours Berkhamsted.
MOM voted by the committee was George Joyce.
Team: Josh Ameganvi, Phoenix Shultz, Kwadwo Bugyei-Kyei, Kyle Lynch, Stan Georgiou, Kyle Brooks, George Joyce, Finn Rolfe, Sean Duodo, Tom Blennerhassett, Tom Cove
Subs: Harrison Mead, Bruce Ovbiye, Russell Berko, Callum Martin, Romeo Ebondo
