Harpenden Town denied comeback win at the death against Dunstable town in six goal thriller

Match Report by Abid Khan.

Harpenden were denied a thrilling comeback win in stoppage time against ex HTFC Manager and Assistant Manager, Micky Nathan and Steve O’Reilly’s Dunstable Town side in a 3-3 draw.

Harpenden Town started slowly and were let off early on as former Harp Mülik Rickman getting on the end of a mistake by Harpendens backline, his effort squeezing just wide of the post. Connor Freeman bailed the Harps out again shortly after, Plamedi Kolo Bomolo’s effort one on one saved by his outreached leg.

Dunstable eventually got their opener, a loopy free kick headed in at the back post by their skipper Jordan Wright to give them the lead, matters got worse for Harpenden shortly after as the visitors doubled their lead just before half time: Dunstable’s Israel Ajana volleyed a shot low into the bottom left corner to make it 2-0 against his former side at the break.

Harpenden came out the blocks quickly in the second half, George Devine with great determination, beat the keeper to the ball, however his header over the keeper is tame and was easily cleared off the line. The pressure continued to mount and Jon Clements a good attempt at goal, his snappy effort was caught by the goalkeeper as Harpenden built momentum into the second half.

The Harps finally got what they were pushing for, a lovely corner headed in by George Devine to breathe life into Harpenden and make it 2-1 and give the hosts a glimmer of hope. 

Shortly after, Harpenden conceded a penalty: Luka Lodder blazed his effort way over the top of the bar, as the home side survived another scare to stay in the contest. 

Harpenden rallied and were rewarded as George Devine sealed his brace to equalise. A long ball across the pitch left Devine in a 50–50 with the keeper but Harpenden’s number nine, rounded the keeper to make it 2-2, Dunstable Town were on the ropes and on 78 minutes the comeback was complete, a corner was played short to Jon Clements whose shot was poorly punched away allowing Dan Heald to sneak in at the back post, sticking a leg out to make it 3-2.

The visitors regrouped and pushed to equalise and seal a point, Connor Freeman made an incredible fingertip save from point blank range to preserve the Harps lead as Dunstable kept the pressure up. In the dying moments of the match it was heartbreak for Harpenden as the visitors got their reward, Plamedi Kolo Bomolo slid his rebound effort into the bottom left corner on 93 minutes to make it 3-3 at Rothamsted Park ensuring the points were shared.  

Full focus shifts towards Tuesday’s trip to Sawbridgeworth Town.