Newport Pagnell 0-1 AFC Dunstable
Newport Pagnell 0-1 AFC Dunstable
17th AUGUST 2024
For the second year in a row, AFC faced Newport Pagnell in the F.A. Cup – this year, it was our turn to visit their place on a very hot summers day – great weather for the spectators, not so much I would think for the players.
AFC very much started on the front foot with four good opportunities coming and going in the first 20 minutes. A Phoenix Shultz shot just wide, a Tom B free kick that went just over the bar, a Stan Georgiou header and another Tom B shot over the bar. It was all AFC in the early part of the game with newcomer Phoenix running the Newport Pagnell full back ragged on the right wing.
Newport came back in to the game with a few opportunities, Finn having to make a couple of sharp saves to deny them taking the lead, but AFC continued to create chances – another chance for Tom B saw him hit the ball well but again it went over the bar. An even better chance came on 35 minutes – Toms well struck free kick hit the wall and from the resulting corner, the ball made its way to Sean who spun and turned to hit a lovely shot that the keeper just got down to and push it wide for another corner.
AFC finally got the breakthrough with pretty much the last final play of the first half. Some delightful play in midfield by Kyle Lynch with the ball finding it’s way to Phoenix on the right – a jinking run down the wing ended with an excellent ball in to the box and a lovely finish from Sean to take us in to half time with a deserved 1-0 lead.
The second half was a very even contest with chances for both sides throughout the half. A bizarre incident on the hour when Finn “double kicked” the ball from a goal kick (not something you see too often!), led to an indirect free kick level with the penalty area. Fortunately for us the defensive wall did its job and the ball was eventually recovered by a very grateful Finn.
Newport had their chances in the second half but the AFC defence and keeper dealt very well with them. With 90 minutes on the clock, Newport were awarded a free kick just outside the box which was well struck by one of our old players, Luke Abraham, hit low with his left foot which Finn got down to superbly to his left to push it wide. A couple of minutes later we were all relieved to hear the final whistle and walk away with the victory. We’re on our way to Wembley!!
A solid performance from the whole team. MOM voted by the committee (on his debut!) was Phoenix.
Team: Finn Purcell, Phoenix Shultz, Kwadwo Bugyei-Kyei, Kyle Lynch, Stan Georgiou, Kyle Brooks, George Joyce, Hayden Beadle, Sean Duodo, Tom Blennerhassett, Tom Cove
Subs: Bruce Nsang, Romeo Ebondo, Ernest Njoroge
