Tuesday night's trip to Dunstable Town was something of a pilgrimage. Not only did George Best once play for the club under the watchful eye of manager Barry Fry, but also the one and only Jeff Astle, The King as the famous Primrose Bridge graffiti proclaims, graced The Blues for a season.
Unfortunately bringing in big names to the club had a knock-on effect to finances and the original club folded under the financial pressure. The reformed Dunstable FC took over the fixtures but were also disbanded in 1994. In 1998, following the lease of current ground Creasey Park, Dunstable Town FC came to life and took their place in the South Midlands League 1.
Creasey Park, on the outskirts of Dunstable, is a very modern looking, functional, football ground surrounded by wooden fencing. The single turnstile is at the car park end of the ground. To the left of the entrance, running along the length of the pitch, is the main building which houses the club house, toilet block and changing rooms. Opposite the club house is the main stand offering seated viewing and behind the car park is another small sheltered terrace. The opposite goal is backed by a grass bank which provides a raised view of the game. The ground has a very new and tidy feel to it but does not have the sense of history that a ground such as Leighton Town or North Leigh provide. Who knows though, maybe these grounds were also looked upon in this way when they were new? To be fair on Creasey Park, the ground was only refurbished a year or so ago, so it's a little unfair to judge it this early. I am told, by a Dunstable resident, that there are excellent training facilities behind the stadium too.
On to the match itself. I had previously seen Daventry win 5-0 at home to Leighton Town a few weeks back, and Town were coming into this match with a 7 game 100% record in the league. Dunstable, with only 2 defeats themselves, would pose a stern test.
Daventry started brightly and took the lead after 8 minutes with a long range effort that deceived everyone and seemed to go through home keeper. Dunstable's response was quick though. Within 4 minutes they had drawn level and for the rest of the first half were the better side, creating a number of chances. On the stroke of half-time the Blues went in front for the first time and left the field at the break with a deserved 2-1 advantage. The 100% record was looking very shaky for Daventry now, especially as they weren't really showing any fluency in their play.
Still, stranger things have happened. It is quite often a game of two halves, as they say. Just ask the Ipswich supporter that I spoke to during the break. He was in a very happy mood after hearing that his team were 4-1 up away from home at Derby. Although I didn't see him later, I would bet his mood was darker at full-time when he found out that Derby had pulled it back to 4-4.
Although Daventry came out looking brighter for the first few minutes of the second half they still couldn't muster the form that I had seen them show earlier in the season. The game ebbed and flowed with both sides having half chances. Then, in the 86th minute, Dunstable sealed a deserved victory with their third goal. Daventry had not only lost their 100% record but had also lost their unbeaten record. They do however remain 4 points clear at the top, with a game in hand, from their opponents tonight.
Next stop is probably going to be another trip to The War Memorial ground for Stourbridge against newly promoted Poole Town.
Twitter links:
@DunstableTownFC
@DaventryTownFC
Unfortunately bringing in big names to the club had a knock-on effect to finances and the original club folded under the financial pressure. The reformed Dunstable FC took over the fixtures but were also disbanded in 1994. In 1998, following the lease of current ground Creasey Park, Dunstable Town FC came to life and took their place in the South Midlands League 1.
Creasey Park, on the outskirts of Dunstable, is a very modern looking, functional, football ground surrounded by wooden fencing. The single turnstile is at the car park end of the ground. To the left of the entrance, running along the length of the pitch, is the main building which houses the club house, toilet block and changing rooms. Opposite the club house is the main stand offering seated viewing and behind the car park is another small sheltered terrace. The opposite goal is backed by a grass bank which provides a raised view of the game. The ground has a very new and tidy feel to it but does not have the sense of history that a ground such as Leighton Town or North Leigh provide. Who knows though, maybe these grounds were also looked upon in this way when they were new? To be fair on Creasey Park, the ground was only refurbished a year or so ago, so it's a little unfair to judge it this early. I am told, by a Dunstable resident, that there are excellent training facilities behind the stadium too.
On to the match itself. I had previously seen Daventry win 5-0 at home to Leighton Town a few weeks back, and Town were coming into this match with a 7 game 100% record in the league. Dunstable, with only 2 defeats themselves, would pose a stern test.
Daventry started brightly and took the lead after 8 minutes with a long range effort that deceived everyone and seemed to go through home keeper. Dunstable's response was quick though. Within 4 minutes they had drawn level and for the rest of the first half were the better side, creating a number of chances. On the stroke of half-time the Blues went in front for the first time and left the field at the break with a deserved 2-1 advantage. The 100% record was looking very shaky for Daventry now, especially as they weren't really showing any fluency in their play.
Still, stranger things have happened. It is quite often a game of two halves, as they say. Just ask the Ipswich supporter that I spoke to during the break. He was in a very happy mood after hearing that his team were 4-1 up away from home at Derby. Although I didn't see him later, I would bet his mood was darker at full-time when he found out that Derby had pulled it back to 4-4.
Although Daventry came out looking brighter for the first few minutes of the second half they still couldn't muster the form that I had seen them show earlier in the season. The game ebbed and flowed with both sides having half chances. Then, in the 86th minute, Dunstable sealed a deserved victory with their third goal. Daventry had not only lost their 100% record but had also lost their unbeaten record. They do however remain 4 points clear at the top, with a game in hand, from their opponents tonight.
Next stop is probably going to be another trip to The War Memorial ground for Stourbridge against newly promoted Poole Town.
Twitter links:
@DunstableTownFC
@DaventryTownFC
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