Morpeth Town 1 Dunston UTS 3

Dunston tame Morpeth Tigers to go Second....

8th November 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1
Morpeth Town 1
Dunston UTS 3

Dunston travelled north up the A1 to Morpeth to play the town team in their EBAC Northern League fixture. Morpeth are currently in mid table with 26 points from 20 games. Dunston are having their second visit to Morpeth this season after their early season FA cup 2‐0 victory, Dunston are currently in third position after losing the opportunity to go second during the week when their lack of scoring power saw them go down 1‐0 on a wet and gloomy night.

Today Billy Irwin is without the services again of Hodgson, Burrell (both knee injuries), Connell ( side) McAndrew (hernia op), Preen (unavailable) and Scott Fenwick who has recently signed pro forms with Hartlepool United but has recently signed Harbottle from a Swedish club side. David Coulson and Scorer also return from injuries for selection. Morpeth meanwhile have only recently signed ex Spennymoor player Keith (Rasher) Graydon.

The afternoon started with both sides and their supporters having 1 minutes silence in respect and remembrance of the fallen in our armed services.

Dunston started well and almost took an early lead as he picked up a poor Dryden free kick from outside his area but he could not direct a powerful enough shot from 40 yards out as Dryden back pedalled. Morpeth were also quick off the mark as Taylor passed to Henderson but his cross was overhit and over the bar. On 7 minutes Dunston mounted another attack as Wightman beat his man down the right flank and put in across for Wilson which was deflected to Dixon outside of the box, Dixon steadied and side footed a shot into the Morpeth net for the opening goal. Dunston continued to attack and from a Halliday corner on 9, Greive the tall Morpeth defender had to clear for another corner, from a Harrison corner the ball was fed out to Kane whose shot went over the bar. 3 minutes later Wightman was just unable to direct his header on target from a Halliday cross after some good approach play involving Halliday and Wilson.

 

Morpeth replied with a Bell free kick from 25 yards out which went over the bar on 17, 4 minutes later Bell again shot over from 25 yards out after a loose defensive clearance. On 23, Graydon put a free kick over the bar from just outside the box. Play continued with both sides battling for control of the midfield, however on 30 Anderson played a ball into Chilton who looped a header over Clark which rebounded off the crossbar and was cleared. Dunston responded and Dixon fed the ball back to Williams whose shot went over the bar on 32, and 3 minutes later Dan Halliday unleashed a fierce shot which beat Dryden only to bounce back off the post. On 37 Wightman picked up a ball 20 yards out and placed a low shot on target which beat the diving Dryden and went into the het for 2--‐0 to Dunston, a score which remained until half time.

Half time score: 0 ‐ 2

The second half started with both sides fighting for possession and their were no scoring opportunities until the 60 minute when Dunston were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Morpeth box for a foul on Ormston, Hallidays kick was too high and over the bar. A minute later Dixon chased a through ball and pulled a low cross into the goal area which Dryden did well to smother, this was followed by a Dan Wilson shot which went across the face of the Morpeth goal. On 67, Wilson headed a cleared ball into Kane' s run but Kane could only direct his shot across the goal and wide. A minute later Wightman received a cross field ball from Wilson, Wightman entered the box but his cross shot was just too long and over the bar. On 72 Bulford came off the bench replacing Kane and he was immediately in on the action after Wightman turned two men in the Dunston half and spotting Bulford in a clear position played an excellent 60 yard diagonal pass which Bulford ran onto and and took into the box and shot home past Dryden for 3--‐0 to Dunston after 75 minutes.

Morpeth replied with a mazy run into the box by Taylor whose shot went past the far post. On 80 minutes Dixon made a good run onto a channel ball on the left wing, his low cross was met by Wilson whose shot was saved. Morpeth were mounting a final assault as the game approached the final 5 minutes. On 88 minutes Chilton entered a packed Dunston area, as he tried to shoot the ball slid away and he collided with the advancing Clark, for some unknown reason the referee awarded a penalty much too all parties surprise as it was Chilton who caught Clark, Clark recovered to be cautioned and Taylor put an unstoppable penalty kick in off the bottom of the post for what was to be a consolation goal. The game proceeded to a final 3 ‐ 1 victory for Dunston with the only other opportunity falling to Harbottle who in added on time, broke through the Morpeth defence only to scuff his shot and Dryden saved.

Full time score: Morpeth Town 1 Dunston. 3

A game of taken opportunities as Dunston appeared to have learned from their previous game, Dunston earned their victory and were unfortunate not to end with a clean sheet. This victory was a good team performance which sees Dunston move up into second place in the league as Marske and West Auckland drew in a top of the league fixture.

Dunston Man of the Match: Gareth Williams whose defensive midfield role almost made the Morpeth sides catalyst, Taylor ineffective, whilst still being able to back up the forward moves of his side. Dan Wilson and Wightman also deserve mentions for their selfless forward play holding up the ball while reinforcements arrived.

Morpeth Town: Dryden, Henderson (Forster 72), Novak, Hall, Buchanan, Grieve, Taylor, Graydon, Anderson, Chilton, Bell (Fry 82) Subs not used: Jewels, Hiftle, Waugh.

Dunston UTS: Clark, Harrison, Halliday, Williams, Coulson, Gilhespy, Ormston, Dixon, Wilson, Wightman (Harbottle 82), Kane (Bulford 72) Subs not Used: Cattenach, Scorer

Dunston's next game: Home to Sunderland RCA,League Cup Tuesday 11 November 2014, 7:30 pm KO