OWUSU FIRES UP DRAGONS
The clubs last met in 1984 and it was a happy return for Basingstoke, who ran out easy winners after two goals in three minutes.
After five minutes, Dunstable’s Shane Bush was carried off on a stretcher with a head injury and was replaced with David Keenleyside.
The visitors dominating play and took a deserved lead after 16 minutes as Romane Rose connected with a through ball that he neatly converted through the legs of Dunstable keeper Jack Smith.
Then Owusu again deceived the defence and was through on goal before shooting wastefully wide.
Dunstable struggled to get forward but were again caught cold when Ashleigh Artwell’s point-blank shot drew a good save from Jack Smith just before the break.
Dunstable started the second half strongly and were level after 48 minutes when Jack Hutchinson lobbed Alex Tokarcyzk following a neat combinative move.
That was as good as it got for Dunstable and the game lost some of its fluency before springing into life when Owusu again outpaced the defence to make it 2-1 to the visitors.
Two minutes later Basingstoke made it 3-1 with Richie Whittingham scoring neatly.
It should have been four when sub Aaron Jarvis, seeing the keeper off his line, lobbed just wide.
Basingstoke’s incisive play easily contained Dunstable’s efforts and their best chances came from set-pieces. Alex Cathline headed over the bar and Hutchinson shot wide.
Danny Talbot’s free-kicks lacked their usual accuracy and a late shot from Ashleigh Artwell brought a good save from Smith.
Without doubt the better team won owing to their fluid and creative play that always looked dangerous.
Dunstable’s tactics were naive, relying on the long ball to striker Alex Cathline, and even when boosted by substitute Jordan Odofin they found the defence organised and unyielding.
Dunstable lacked their recent rhythm and suffered from the loss of Jhai Ghillon and Bushe to injury.