Not
wishing to be a party pooper, I have to, in the interests
of fair reporting, record that the Hatters' first goal, scored
by that young scamp Adam Watkin, was firmly down to what we
have called A Hammer Moment.
That means that
Tays either cocks up a routine save or elects to play an impromptu
role as a full back and, losing possession, gifts an empty
goal.
He cannot be blamed for the second, which was also a goalkeeping
error that allowed- of all players, Newman Carney, fruit of
our manager’s loins to nick a draw for the youthful
Hatters’ side.
Gary Duncan, came
on for the second half and did well apart from the last minute
blunder. Grant Carney had come on for the second period and
there were many Dunstable supporters delighted at the sight.
For those of you
new to the club, be informed that Grant Carney was a star
striker and a hugely motivational skipper of those rampant
Blues who, upon the club’s reformation, went marching
through the divisions to reach the Southern League Premier
League - and who was the manager then…new Chairman Darren
Croft.
You will forgive
me, perhaps for my lack of reporting much direct action as
huddled in my turnstile I faced the unusual sight of a crowded
covered end terrace, but I do know that the first half was
one of caution from both sides.
There were no vuvuselas,
but plenty of home grown noise and encouragement despite the
distinct lack of outright scoring chances.
Dunstable’s
team retained just three players from last season - Paul Taylor,
naturally, a returning Jonathan Barnett, (from Aylesbury)
and Lee Burgoyne. My ignorance of Luton Town’s squad
had me inquiring of their squad and I was informed that it
was a sprinkling of youth and trial hopefuls.
One or two voiced
the view that they had read that the Hatters were sending
their first team squad, but of course the ultimate selection
is not in the hands of anyone from the Blues.
It mattered little,
as a decent income from this game, including the burger bar
and clubhouse, enables the club to clear some pre-season debts
and start on a firmer footing.
There was some
measure of excitement when the Blues put together some late
chances in the first half and had defended reasonably well.
Luton had not seriously threatened, but always looked purposeful
in the construction of forward moves.
Taylor himself
was generally sound, but I suspect just a little nervous.
as he has been a point of focus on the local radio as well
as the press. He was adjusting to the narrowed pitch and seemed
to find the re-turfing of his goalmouth a luxury to which
he is unaccustomed.
With both sides
employing a number of substitutes, as is always the case,
The Hammer ‘treated’ his admiring public to a
classic.
He fumbled a cross,
only pushing the ball to Adam Watkin who converted easily.
The second half was barely a minute old and many were nursing
their refreshments back to the terraces, well the temporary
standing areas.
Young Watkin is
well known to me and as a young lad led me a merry dance when
he found inventive ways of gaining admission to the ground
from everywhere but the turnstile. He looks a sound professional
prospect and to his credit, is often seen at Creasey Park.
Paul Taylor was
substituted shortly after, not for his comical blunder but
to give Duncan go between the sticks. Luton began to look
increasingly dominant but Dunstable’s pleasing persistence
brought the ‘reward’ of a penalty a couple of
minutes later.
Grant Carney, scorer
of so many from the spot, lobbed the ball to Barnett, his
first signing.
Barnett obliged and later asked me to report that playing
for the Blues tonight was as enjoyable for him as it was in
former days. ‘I want you to write that I think the spirit
is back at this club, and you can also say I am playing for
the badge now’
One other of the
substitutes was Darrell Elliott, another former player of
explosive talent if matched by a mercurial temperament. His
up and at ‘em style has been duly noted by Carney, who
has also added more players of some previous connection with
the club - and these include Rory Smith, former youth team
star and the prolific James Potter. Also retained is the reliable
defender Nicholas Nolan whose serious injury, not football
related, ruled him out last season.
The other players
I, like many will come to know, but a pattern seems set by
player/manager Carney. He demanded the utmost from the players
as a skipper - often lining them up in the tunnel early and
barking out his expectations - and he always led by example.
Barnett’s
penalty had infused the team and they met Luton’s patient
forays with counter moves and on sixty-seven minutes BJ Christie
- yes related to the well remembered Bernie Christie had a
Maradona moment. By this I do not mean he kissed other players,
but replicated in some small way the famous Hand Of God.
He neatly eluded
Lewis Wood, latching onto a clever through ball and smartly
finished the move.
Club photographer Liam Smith was on hand with the evidence
and it seems that referee Chris O’Donnell, already a
notable young referee seemed to miss what the camera did not.
So, what the hell,
the goal was given. This sparked some good natured chanting
and playful banter among the supporters, with no-one all that
fussed about the eventual result.
Luton pressed hard
and the final shot did not match the often stylish build-up,
but they always looked good for another goal. This was, however,
denied them until the very last minute when, of all players,
son of Grant’s free kick was dealt with unconvincingly
by Duncan and so Newman got one over his old man. Well, good
for him - he is a rising young professional and a credit to
his father.
The Hatters’
fans seemed pleased with the game and the occasion and, as
I have said they were full of encouragement for the development
of the new Dunstable team and their stadium.
The appearance
of a streaker right at the end was tolerated with some amusement.
It was not the notorious Moggsy who perpetrated a similar
act in the Wimbledon game, as I was informed, there was a
distinct anatomical difference in terms of size. Remember
you read it here first.
Our very own Froggy
was surrounded by Lutonites and gamely tried to out-sing them,
but in this he was, on this occasion, on the losing side.
Kerry Dixon, who
distinguished himself playing for both sides, put in an appearance
and I was delighted that he made a point of seeking me out
to wish the club all the very best.
So, from a forlorn
and rather grim building site there was an instant feel-good
atmosphere. We at Dunstable are grateful for the real boost
given to us by the County’s senior side and even allowing
for the solid support they have from some of our number, the
consensus was that we would all like to see Luton Town back
in the Football League.
For those who may
moan that I have reported little of the action, I make no
fulsome apology, as despite my restricted view, this was more
about celebrating a new start for Dunstable Town - in terms
of the revamped squad and the stadium redevelopment.
For so long the
regulars have taken the jibes from relatively well-heeled
clubs - you know Dumpstable, Duncetable, your ground’s
a sh*thole etc. For so long we have waited for this time where
real work is being done and completion is indeed scheduled
for early in 2011.
Former chairman Pete Burgoyne, whose next task is to dismantle
the temporary floodlights his firm put in place for us, he
quietly mentioned that his work at the club had not been in
vain.
For those of us who work at the club, we can feel proud that
our bit of passion, to quote Darren Croft, will see the fruition
of our dreams - that Dunstable will have a senior semi-professional
club with a ground to match our ambitions.
So often barracked
by opposing supporters ‘You’re just a small town
near Luton’, etc, we aim to hold our own and it started
here tonight.
I would not be
so foolish to make wild predictions of our chances of promotion.
there will be a settling period that will challenge Grant
Carney, Steve Castleman and Darren Croft.
But I am delighted
to report that we have a really strong local element in our
management and for them Dunstable Town is their passion.
It was fitting
to have our senior neighbours as guests and they like us are
impatient to get the real stuff underway. We have similar,
if relative ambitions and tonight’s game was an occasion
to savour. A diplomatic 2-2 draw and a fair result.
Development is
thus an operative and wide ranging word and I for one would
like to see both sides have a productive and successful season.
This report is dedicated to PAUL TAYLOR in appreciation of
his service to the club, his friendship and for being a great
example of loyalty and commitment. |
