Two fine second-half strikes gave Colney Heath a winning start away to Dunstable Town in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.

The game was heading to a frustrating draw when Jamie Fulton unleashed a beauty on 71 minutes, flying into the top corner.

Kelechi Etienne was then given free reign to step inside and run forward, unleashing a 25-yard effort that arrowed low past the keeper 10 minutes later.

Fulton was given a red card after two yellows, the second in stoppage time and Dunstable pulled one back shortly after.

They couldn't get an equaliser in the short amount of time remaining and the Magpies headed home with a deserved 2-1 win.

A muggy and hot afternoon was about right for the opening day of the season and it may have had an effect on the performance.

At times, the play looked laboured but the first half did have the visitors on top in terms of possession and territory.

They also edged the play in chances, although there wasn't any massively clear-cut opportunities.

Debutant Joseph Caffery somehow wriggled his way into space on the left of the box, two defenders misreading where the forward was going.

His pull-back to George Sippetts though was cut-out.

Sippetts was, as usual, a big threat for the Magpies.

One effort from the edge of the box was blocked on the six-yard line while moments later he shovelled an effort towards goal.

It didn't look threatening but suddenly hit a huge divot and almost bounced over Caleb Chandler.

The keeper's reactions were very good though.

Sippetts was also just over the top with a drive while another chance on the stretch was easy for Chandler to gather.

Dunstable had one shot straight at Connor Sansom at the other end while a corner had keeper and defender backpedalling, the frame of the goal being hit by either ball or player. 

Mason Davis should have done better on the break but seemed to be unsure what to do and in the end fouled Jamie Willing.

And breaks were seemingly going to be their best way forward, until the start of the second half.

Sansom still wasn't tested in the opening 15 minutes but Dunstable did start getting into the final third more.

The closest they came was a miscued shot by Alex Ward that almost found Davis on the stretch, the striker inches away from connecting.

Joe Hankins and James Lauder also had shots but both were flashed over the top.

Colney did have moments as well though. Sippetts managed to get the ball behind the keeper but he was unable to get on the end of it before Melvin Onu cleared.

George Hughes then put a free-kick from a central position over the top.

It was still a game that was crying out for something special to unlock the opening goal and with 19 minutes to go, Fulton did just that.

A corner on the left was played short and Fulton took it infield, beating the defender and getting to the left edge of the area.

And from there he let fly, sending the ball fizzing over the head of Chandler and into the far top corner.

It was caught perfectly and on the balance of play, it was a deserved lead.

There then followed the not insignificant detail of being able to close the game out.

Etienne had seemingly done that when he was invited to go outside, and that just opened up the inside channel.

The substitution strode inside and lashed a low effort to the left of the keeper.

And that seemed to be it until a second yellow card for Fulton in the first minute of stoppage time sent him to the dressing room early.

Dunstable then scrambled a goal two minutes later and had another corner with the last attack.

That was cleared and Colney took the points.

Match details

Dunstable Town (0) 1 Colney Heath (0) 2

Colney Heath: Sansom, Willing, Farmer (Etienne 64), Ejjayha, Denham, King, Hughes (McShane 84), Fulton, Sippetts (Lawford 84), Dykes (Brown 64), Caffery (Owen 69).

Subs: all used

Goals: Fulton 71, Etienne 81

Booked: Fulton 45, 90+1

Sent-off: Fulton 90+1

 

Dunstable Town: Chandler, Hutton (Fox-Nania 46), Lodder, Butt (Gavin 76), Ovington, Briggs, Lauder (O'Leary 64) , Davis (Akinbobola 60), Ward, Hankins, Onu.

Subs: all used

Goals: Ovington 90+3

Booked: Lauder 29, Onu 54

 

Referee: Connor Mackay

Attendance: 301

Venue: Creasey Park, Dunstable