26th August 2014
Northern League Div 1
Dunston UTS 2 (Coulson 2)
West Auckland 1
Dunston welcome West Auckland for the EBAC Northern
League Division 1 game, West have started the league season in a mixed fashion
with 2 four nil victories and 2-1defeat to neighbours Bishop Auckland but it
more the recent loss of their manager Peter Dixon that is grabbing the
highlights, Dixon has led West to two Wembley performances in the last three
years and also to high Northern League positions, building a strong squad of
players. He will be a hard act to follow and the appointment of current Celtic
Nation owner Steve Skinner as temporary manager, is also an action to be
monitored. Dunston after a couple of defeats are now on a winning run of three
games with one FA Cup and two league games to their account, although the close
proximity of the games is taking its toll with niggling injuries to players
especially on Saturday when both Steven Shaw and Craig Hodgson picked up
knocks, although the availability of Gary Shaw and Jonny Wightman will be
welcomed in what promises to be a competitive game if recent history prevails.
The game started with both teams vying for control of
the midfield and opportunities were restricted until the 10th minute when
Francis took a free kick into the Dunston area aimed at the back post, the ball
went harmlessly clear of the goal. on 11 Dan Halliday had a similar free kick
for Dunston and the ball this time went wide from a Wilson header. A minute
later ex Dunston player Pattinson put in a cross which had to be cleared by
Coulson, on 15, Briggs had a shot from 18 yards out which went over the bar.
After 25 minutes Briggs played a ball in Moffat but the alert Gilhespy
recovered and cleared the danger. Two minutes later West took the lead from a
long free kick taken by Francis deep into the Dunston area Burrell's attempted
header only diverted it over Connell and into the net 1-0 to West. On 30 Briggs
again, put in across into the run of Moffatt and Connell did brilliantly to
stop it going into the net.
On 32 Burrell placed a free kick from the centre
circle into the West area to Halliday and his header was deflected for a
corner. from the corner taken by Burrell Coulson rouse at the back post to head
home the equaliser. The West centre half Galpin was cautioned for continuous
dissent after the goal. West retaliated with another Francis free kick which
Burrell headed clear. On 40 Moffat forced another save from Connell which
rebounded to Richardson who shot which deflected off Halliday and clear of the
goal.
On 41 Fenwick chased a long ball into the West area, the West keeper came out but was beaten by the bounce, Fenwick got control but Lowson was back to parry his shot which fell to Wilson whose shot was blocked by a defender. Just before half time on 44 Steven Shaw fed a square ball into the run of Burrell whose shot from 20 yards went just wide of the target. A minute into added on time Burrell put a free kick into the back post were Halliday got up well to head on target, however the referee ruled Halliday had fouled in his attempt.
On 41 Fenwick chased a long ball into the West area, the West keeper came out but was beaten by the bounce, Fenwick got control but Lowson was back to parry his shot which fell to Wilson whose shot was blocked by a defender. Just before half time on 44 Steven Shaw fed a square ball into the run of Burrell whose shot from 20 yards went just wide of the target. A minute into added on time Burrell put a free kick into the back post were Halliday got up well to head on target, however the referee ruled Halliday had fouled in his attempt.
Half
Time score 1 - 1
The
second half started as the first as a tussle in midfield and on 52 Kane had the
first opportunity to shoot but it was wide of the target, West replied with a
free kick on the edge of the Dunston area but the shot by Francis was wide. On
61 Bulford on as substitute for Wilson had a25 yard shot saved by Lowson,
dolled a minute later when Fenwick had an 18 yard shot saved. Dunston were
gradually getting on top after West had had the better of the game in the first
half. On 65, Bulford had a volleyed shot blocked by Wilkinson, the ball went
out to Halliday whose return cross just went over the bar at the back post. On
75, Halliday put in another cross which Lowson took well.
On 79, Briggs picked
up a loose ball and swung a shot come cross, into the area, the ball took a
deflection from Wilkinson and out of play. a minute later Burrell played a long
ball to Bulford who shot was saved by Lowson. On 81 Burrell took another core
which curled into the back post where once again Coulson dispatched a header
into the goal past the West defenders on the line for 2-1 to Dunston.
On
85 Bulford was fouled on the edge of the area by Galpin, Bulford took the kick
and Lowson did well to save the low driven shot. On 86 at the opposite end
Knight had a free kick from 25 yards but the wall did its job and blocked it.
as full time approached West set up an assault on the Dunston goal with 3 shots
from, Ward, Knight and Francis all on target being blocked by some desperate
defending particularly from Halliday who blocked two, 2 minutes into added on
time another West free kick was saved by the alert Connell. In the final
minutes Halliday played Bulford through but his attempted volley went over the
bar after which the referee brought the game to an end.
Final
Score Dunston 2 West Auckland 1
West
got control in first half and deserved their opening goal, however Dunston were
gritty and fought back and got their equaliser possibly against the run of
play. in the second half it was Dunston who got control and got their deserved
goal with a second superb header from David Coulson again from a Dale Burrell
corner. Dunston had to weather a big West push for the equaliser while still
producing opportunities for a third goal. In the end it was a valuable victory
for Dunston against a strong West side.
Dunston Man of the Match: David Coulson who aside from
his very good defensive display alongside Luke Gilhespy also got forward to
produce 2 great goals which Dunston needed. Good. Performances in
the second half from the whole team especially Steven Shaw, Andy Bulford and
Dan Halliday.
Dunston
UTS: Connell, Burrell, Halliday, Shaw (S),Coulson, Gilhespy, Kane
(Wightman 65), Dixon (Cpt), Fenwick, Wilson (Bulford 51), Ormston. Subs
not used: Shaw (G), Hodgson, Burns.
West
Auckland: Lowson, Pattinson, Gibson, Wilkinson, Galpin, Close, Briggs,
Francis, Moffat (Laidlaw 45) (Knight 65), Richardson (Ward 65), Garthwaite. Subs
not used: Knight, Byrne, Vipond, Ward, Laidlaw
Assistants.. K. Howe and M. East.
Match pictures can be viewed here
Report by T.C.
Next game, Saturday 30th, FA Cup, Dunston UTS v Durham City
Sunday 31st Charity Match, kick off 2:00pm