Stotfold 0-1 AFC Dunstable
Stotfold 0-1 AFC Dunstable
Southern League Division One Central
Saturday 30th March 2024
AFC’s fourth game in 7 days produced a dramatic ending when Max Rosner rose to head home a stoppage time winner at Stotfold.
The game was a difficult one for the visitors given some tired limbs and the need for the squad to be rotated again. Stotfold will possibly feel hard done by as they deserved more for their efforts and also had a strong case for a penalty for handball just before the winning goal.
New signing Eric Ameyaw made his debut at centre back on a bright spring day in North Bedfordshire.
AFC made a good start by forcing a few corners but the hosts grew into the game during the opening 12 minutes. Dan Idiakhoa created the first opportunity five minutes later when a fine run down the right saw his cross met by Ethan Holt but he couldn’t quite get his header on target.
Rosner possibly should have done better with a free header from a corner in the 19th minute but his effort went over the bar.
On the half hour, Yoav Sade had to be replaced by Callum Martin due to injury then Conor Clarke had Stotfold’s first chance when his header was deflected over the crossbar.
Just before half time Lewis Franklin was off target as clearcut chances proved to be at a minimum.
AFC came out with intent at the start of the second half, forcing a corner and a shot on goal. In the 65th minute some resolute defending from the OD’s was needed when four shots from the home side were blocked in succession.
Rosner had another header go over before Ashley Kersey followed suit at the other end with his own header missing the target.
AFC were beginning to understandably tire as shots came in from Robbie Buchanan and Matt Ball for Stotfold but on par with most of the shots from both teams in the game, they were off target.
Henry Snee who was a threat up front for the hosts did well to bring a good save out of Seb Stacey with four minutes remaining.
In the last minute of normal time a moment of controversy came when Stacey pulled off another good save only for the rebound to fall to a Stotfold player, who hit a goal bound shot, which seemed to strike an AFC players’ arm. Despite ferocious appeals from the hosts, the referee turned down their claims stating the arm was in a natural position.
Just when the game looked like ending in a draw Rosner connected with a free kick just inside the box to send a looping header over Alfie Bonfield in the Stotfold goal, which spark scenes of joy amongst the visiting contingent.
Three wins from four games in seven days can’t be frowned upon. A superb effort of grit and determination in a game that lacked quality in front of goal at both ends.
AFC face another game on Monday against Kempston Rovers at Creasey Park, just the fifth one in 9 days!
Team: Stacey; Sade (Martin 29′); Deall; Weyman; Ameyaw (Tagoe 66′); Idiakhoa; Nicolson; Holt; Matshazi; Walsh (Lucas 70′).
Subs not used: Ameganvi & Bugyei-Kyei.
