Whilst even the most ardent FC fans could not fail to be impressed by Dunstable Town, their own team had contributed to their downfall with a display lacking in quality, determination and effort. Two goals before half time and two goals after sealed FC’s fate. The only shining light was a statuesque defensive and then attacking display from Ben Stevens who refused to be intimidated by the powerful Dunstable forward line setting a shining example of how to perform under pressure.

A harsh 3rd minute penalty for a push in the box gave the visitors the chance to open the scoring however a smart Rhys Marshall save pushed the resulting strike onto the bar and away to safety. A series of Town corners followed with Lee Roache looking particularly dangerous. Jerome Federico had FC’s first chance but after a mazy run, he could only hit the ball way over the bar. Roache replied soon afterwards with a stinging shot which flashed past Marshall’s post. The same duel was repeated on 24 minutes when Roache was put through only for Rhys to save with his legs. Aylesbury were finding less and less space and Gareth Price’s weak shot on 27 minutes was the best of their efforts during this spell. A goal for the away team was inevitable and on 32 minutes Matt Nolan broke away on the right to cross for Tony Burnett to sweep the ball home. A few minutes later and Nathan Frater had a shot turned round the post. FC’s hopes of going in at the break just the one goal down were dashed when right on the stroke of half time, Adam Watkins hit the ball on the half volley from a left side throw in and the shot rifled past Marshall into the net.

The second half was six minutes old when a fracas between the combative Ben Stevens and striker Lee Roache ended in both men receiving yellow cards for their troubles and it was to be an incident that would have later repercussions. Shortly afterwards the score was 3-0. Matt Nolan faced Rhys Marshall and calmly rounded Marshall to stroke the ball home. On 62 minutes Roache made it four placing the ball under the keeper after impressive work down the right hand side of the field. Such was Dunstable’s dominance of proceedings and FC’s total lack of resistance that the score line could have been much much worse. That it wasn’t may have been the sending off of Lee Roache for an incident involving Ben Stevens. FC came more into the game after this. Shots by the energetic Gareth Price and also by Ollie Hogg may have given more joy on another day. A Gareth Price corner clipped the bar with a few minutes to spare but all were token efforts as the referee thankfully blew his whistle to leave FC fans to contemplate what went wrong.

Line Up
1. Rhys Marshall.
2. Lamar Simpson.
3. Matt Hall.
4. Sonny French.
5. Lee Grant.
6. Ben Stevens. Yellow Card '51
7. Jack Thomson. Sub Off '37
8. Davis Haule.
9. Brian Haule. Sub Off '25
10. Jerome Federico. Yellow Card '62 Sub Off '70
11. Gareth Price

Used Subs
12. Ollie Lynch. Sub On '37
14. Leon Gordon. Sub On '25
15. Nick O'Donovan. Sub On '70

Unused Subs
17. Richard Roberts.
16. Alexander Kedziashi.