There
were few outright chances on the rather uneven pitch, but
Dunstable took the lead after a quiet opening quarter of an
hour finally yielded a good chance for the already notable
Luke Lincoln. I had been impressed with the defensive play
of Damien Pickering and was pleased to see Rory Smith back
in the team - even if his current lack of fitness became more
apparent.
Luke Lincoln’s
goal was taken opportunely but his second had a touch of swagger
about it, being a neat and well judged lob that gave the goalkeeper
only a token chance.
But with the lead
established, many were expecting Dunstable to relax and move
the ball around with more confidence. This was not achieved
since Padbury organised a series of counter moves that were
often cleared long and thus the ball was soon back in the
danger area.
The perceived weakness
of the Dunstable defence was exploited well, and Padbury’s
advantage also lay in their physical superiority.
The equaliser came direct from a piece of hesitancy in midfield
from Jonathan Barnett which allowed a swift forward manoeuvre.
This attack looked
to be beaten down but a piece of confusion, with two players
leaving it to the other to clear was punished with a goal
from close range.
We had almost reached
the half hour mark and Dunstable had failed to build on their
hard won lead, sacrificed so cheaply. The remainder of the
first half was more about Padbury’s imposition of their
ability to pass and move better and nullify with ease any
long passes forward that invited Dunstable strikers to outpace
their markers. Thus the moves from the Blues were easily read
and dealt with.
Level at the interval
it was for Carney an obvious disappointment but his half-time
chat was entirely supportive as he picked out the best moments
of play.
Since the game
was played in an open field on a Milton Keynes recreation
ground, both teams took their interval in the open.
I was a little
surprised at the venue but I am assuming that Padbury’s
own ground was unavailable. The fixture was moved to Conniburrow
Boulevard, a grand name for so modest a venue. It mattered
little since these pre-season friendlies yield much of value
in terms of strengths and weaknesses.
The second half
was, from a Dunstable point of view, largely disappointing.
They failed to match the incisive attacking style and passing
finesse of their opponents who were strong and effective in
the challenge and, as before shot on sight. Taylor needed
to be alert but there was one occasion when one effort struck
his crossbar, and he would not have been able to do much about
it had the ball’s flight been an inch or two lower.
After fifty-one
minutes Padbury won a corner and this was bundled in at close
range to give then the lead. Their corners were better than
the Blues who tended to spray them in too deep.
But three minutes
later there was the pleasing sight of Kyle Lincoln’s
equaliser which was notable for the calm lob to finish a rare
effective forward move.
Rory Smith, well
known to Dunstable supporters as a youth team player of promise
had the embarrassing sight of seeing his attempted clearance
converted to an own goal after sixty-eight minutes, and for
the remainder of the match it never seemed likely to see a
Dunstable resurgence.
But Padbury’s
fourth goal highlighted the need for an effective defence.
A long throw in was met with an unchallenged headed goal with
the scorer having nothing but to concentrate on just where
he would put the ball.
This kind of goal
is one that ought not to be conceded and it was a glaring
lack of presence of the defence that will find its way into
Carney’s tactical notebook. There ought to have been
just a little more urgency about Dunstable’s closing
period of play, even if it was ’just’ a pre season
friendly.
But, although my
tone may appear critical, I am all to aware that these are
very early days and matters can only improve as the tem selection
is sorted and players become accustomed to one another. To
lose was a good reminder that the standard of play we expect
is high.
I remember last
season when a jubilant Aston Clinton left Creasey Park after
recording a fine win over nominally senior rivals. Dunstable
face a long and hard season against teams that have proved
themselves to be among promotion contenders - such as Chalfont
St Peter and Royston Town.
There is time and
there are more games to come, and the issues will be addressed
as they have to be.
As a game it was
not without interest and I was impressed with Padbury’s
unity and strength.
This comes from team work and for this new Dunstable team
it is the start and much has been learned today.
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