DUNMOW had five regular players missing on Saturday but managed to frighten the life out of a Laindon side that have only lost once this season.

Dunmow FC 3 Laindon 5

DUNMOW had five regular players missing on Saturday but managed to frighten the life out of a Laindon side that have only lost once this season.

Stand-in captain Will Green led the makeshift side well from the front alongside Michael Church switching from keeper to striker. Usual right back Ian Hicks played at centre back for the first time in his career.

Dunmow took some time to acquaint themselves with their new positions and Laindon quickly took advantage inside 10 minutes.

The hosts hit back when Dan Moss, after a strong run, found Michael Church on the left edge of the 18 yard box. A quick step opened up the goal and Church expertly curled the ball around the advancing keeper into the opposite corner.

Church returned the favour five minutes later, Moss again made an excellent run down the left wing and played the ball back to Moss in acres of space and for a near carbon copy of Dunmow’s first goal.

The home side continued to press hard and Oliver Coopersmith took off on a great run down the right wing and delivering a great cross to a waiting Church on the back post who calmly slotted home.

However, Laindon are not top of the table for nothing. The host’s makeshift centre backs were working hard, but a brief lack of concentration saw Laindon come back to 3-2 just before half time.

Dunmow started the second half rather as they had started the first, conceding early and following the equaliser it was almost inevitable that the visitors would find space to take the lead.

They did via a penalty when Hicks brought down one of the Laindon strikers inside the 18-yard box. Keeper Boreham dived the wrong way and it was 4-3.

Dunmow were now flagging and left back Reece Free was substituted for Mark Shrimpton, but this did not prevent Dunmow conceding a second penalty just 5 minutes later. This time Boreham dived the right way and got a hand to the penalty, but again in vain.

Next; Dunmow’s season rests on Saturday’s semi-final of the divisional cup when they take on Battlesbridge at the Recreation Ground. Kick off 1.30pm.