Saturday 28 March 2015

Dunston UTS 3 Billingham Synthonia 2

Report by Billy Montague
Saturday 28th March 2015
Ebac Northern League – First Division
Final Score: Dunston UTS 3 Billingham Synthonia 2
Attendance 151


Dunston welcomed Billingham Synthonia to the UTS Stadium for this Ebac Northern League Division 1 game. With only four more games to play, the visitors had endured a very testing season as they attempt to build a new squad under the guidance of manager Conrad Hillerby. They currently occupy the third relegation position in the League table and their need for a good result today was not helped by the absence of influential midfield general Stephen Huggins.
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They did, however, include prolific marksman Michael Sweet in their starting line-up. Dunston recalled Stephen Harrison to the back-line and Dale Burrell had recovered from his mid-week injury and took his place in an otherwise unchanged team from the Newcastle Benfield match.
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The playing surface was in good condition but a near gale-force wind was blowing straight down the pitch as Dunston kicked off with the wind at their backs. In the early exchanges, the home side had plenty of possession but were finding it difficult to exert any real pressure with several players over-clubbing their passes in the wind. Synners were defending stoutly and goalkeeper Peter Burke was able to deal with a couple of crosses with relative ease.
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When the visitiors broke out in the 12th minute some good play by Michael Sweet set up John Alexander 10-yards from the Dunston goal but his shot was bravely blocked by Dan Smith. From the corner, Kris Hughes gained possession and his dangerous cross required a brilliant headed clearance by David Coulson to avert the danger. On 16 minutes Dunston went close when a good set-up by Nicky Kane saw Dan Wilson shoot just over. In the 19th minute it was Kane who went close after chesting down a cross but his shot scraped the cross-bar. A minute later, Andy Bulford got on the end of a Dan Smith low cross but his volley was superbly saved by keeper Burke.
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The keeper excelled again in the 20th minute when Dale Burrell made a great run into the right of the Synners box but Burke pounced on the low cross to deny Bulford and Wilson. He was called into action again when he firstly took another Burrell cross and then guided a powerful shot from the Dunston midfielder past his post. In the 27th minute, some good work by Dan Smith ended with the release into the box of Stephen Harrison but when he looked like scoring, his shot took a bobble and flew straight at Burke. Dunston did grab the lead on 28 minutes when Dan Smith made ground before setting up Andrew Bulford in the right side of the Synners penalty area.
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The Dunston top-scorer gained control with a good first-touch before hammering goalwards where Peter Burke made a fantastic save to keep the ball out. The keeper’s luck was out when the rebound fell nicely to Bulford who slotted home with Burke unable to recover his ground. 1 – 0 to Dunston.
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Boosted by the lead, Dunston continued to press with the help of the wind and went close to increasing the lead on several occasions before the second goal came on 40 minutes. Dale Burrell took a corner which evaded the clutches of the outstanding Burke and Dan Smith was on hand to volley powerfully home via the inside of the post. 2 – 0 to Dunston. Synners battled on gamely to ensure that they didn’t concede again before the break.

Half-time Score: Dunston UTS 2 Billingham Synthonia 0
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In normal circumstances, a two-goal lead at half-time would be a very good advantage but with the strength of the wind on this occasion Dunston knew that the game was far from won. They came out strongly in the second-half and put together some good moves by moving the ball on the bottom in attempt to beat the conditions. In the 55th minute Dale Burrell made a brilliant run on the left and only a strong last-ditch tackle by Tommy Marron prevented his progress on the very edge of the box.
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Dunston increased the lead further in the 58th minute with a superb passing move involving Nicky Kane, Dan Wilson and Dale Burrell which culminated in Kane’s low cross reaching Dan Smith at the far post. The hard-working Smith then unselfishly squared the ball to Andy Bulford who made no mistake from 10 yards out. 3 – 0 to Dunston.
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Billingham Synthonia looked shell-shocked at this stage but battled to get back into the game with Dunston’s Luke Gilhespy and David Coulson having to be at their best to keep a careful eye on the ever-dangerous Michael Sweet. The home side almost increased their tally in the 68th minute when a dangerous Nicky Kane cross was almost headed into his own net by defender Ross McNab with keeper Peter Burke watching helplessly as the ball scraped past the post.
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The resulting corner brought more panic when Burke appeared to carry the ball over his own line from the in-swinging Dan Halliday flag-kick, but the assistant referee failed to spot the incident. As Dunston continued to press, Burke was in top form in taking numerous cross very cleanly but he was beaten in the 75th minute when a good run by Dale Burrell ended with Andy Bulford firing just over. Synners got a vital goal back on 77 minutes when some slack defending resulted in Michael Sweet being fouled by Dale Burrell, with the referee awarding a penalty. The Synthonia top-scorer stepped up to confidently slam the spot-kick home giving Liam Connell no chance. 3 – 1 to Dunston.
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With the encouragement of the goal Synners came more into the game but Dunston were still carving out some good openings and Burke was forced into another decent save to deny Dan Wilson on 81 minutes and substitute Jonny Wightman in the 83rd minute. There appeared to be little danger in the 85th minute when Synners’ Robert Bettson made a break-away run on the right flank and strong appeals for hand-ball went unheeded.
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He made good progress before sending a long cross to outside of the far post where Martyn Woodhouse was lurking un-marked and the Synners substitute sent a terrific header past the startled Connell and into the opposite corner of the net. 3 – 2 to Dunston.
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Synners were unable to grab a vital point as the Dunston defence belatedly shut up shop and it was the home side who almost got another goal when Burke had to be at his best to pluck the ball off the head of Wilson after a Jonny Wightman cross.
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Full-Time Score: Dunston UTS 3 Billingham Synthonia 2
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Dunston Man of the Match: Dale Burrell, despite giving a penalty away, his probing runs and willingness to get on the ball were a vital part of the performance in very testing conditions. Dan Smith also deserves a mention for is work ethic and first goal for the Club.
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Dunston UTS: Connell, Harrison, Halliday, Burrell, Coulson, Gilhespy, Smith (McAndrew), Dixon (Ormston), Wilson, Bulford, Kane (Wightman). Subs not used: Cattanach, Hodgson.
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Billingham Synthonia: Burke, Gardner, McNab, Marron, Rowbotham, Abel, Bettson, Edwards (Newby), Sweet, Alexander (Woodhouse), Hughes. Subs not used: Carter, Briggs..
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Referee, Tony Peart.
Assistants, Stephen Birkett and Kevin McKitterick
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Match Pictures by Billingham Syn
HERE
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Remaining home games..

4th April, League fixture versus Morpeth Town Kick off 3:00pm
7th April, NL Cup Semi-Final versus Shildon, Kick off 7:30pm
18th April, League fixture versus North Shields, Kick Off 3:00pm

Tuesday 24 March 2015

Dunston UTS 0 Newcastle Benfield 0


Report by Billy Montague
Tuesday 24th March 2015
Ebac Northern League – First Division
Final Score: Dunston UTS 0 Newcastle Benfield 0

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Dunston welcomed Newcastle Benfield to the UTS Stadium for this Ebac Northern League Division 1 game. The visitors arrived as one of the form teams in the League having strung together some excellent results recently including a brilliant 2-0 victory over the impressive Shildon AFC. Their regular front two of Paul Brayson and Dan Taylor have been in devastating form of late after ripping apart most defences.

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Dunston were boosted by the return to the team of captain Michael Dixon, centre-half David Coulson and left-back Dan Halliday after suspension and injury but this was countered by the absence of Gareth Williams and Stephen Harrison. Gary Ormston was given a rest after playing in almost every game to date and dropped to the bench alongside Lee McAndrew, David Scorer, Jonny Wightman and Andy Clark.
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The game opened at a furious pace with both teams going hammer and tongs to gain early superiority. Despite the hard graft in midfield neither side was able to fashion a clear-cut scoring chance until the 15th minute when Andy Bulford’s fierce shot was bravely blocked by Richie Slaughter after a good Dan Wilson set-up. Two minutes later a Nicky Kane cross was met by the hard-working Dan Smith but his goal-bound header was deflected wide by Stephen Tobin. Smith then sent in a dangerous low cross on 20 minutes that keeper Mark Cook did well to collect safely. Cook was in action again soon after when he parried a David Coulson header after a Ben Cattanach free-kick from the right. In the 22nd minute a good run on the left saw Nicky Kane send in a wicked cross which Andy Bulford headed just over with Cook beaten.

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Kane repeated his run and cross in the 26th minute but a good defensive flicked header by Stephen Tobin deflected the ball just over the head of the menacing Bulford. After Dan Wilson went close again from a Cattanach cross, Dunston were almost made to pay for their missed chances in the 32nd minute when a poor defensive header fell to the ever-dangerous Paul Brayson whose snap volley flew onto the top of the bar and bounced to safety. Two minutes later, Brayson burst into the Dunston box and only a brilliant save by Dunston keeper Liam Connell prevented the ex-Newcastle striker from giving the visitors the lead. On 40 minutes Dale Burrell made a tricky run past three Benfield defenders but his powerful shot was confidently saved by Cook.
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The visitors’ keeper was called into action again two minutes later but again he made no mistake when dropping onto a Bulford effort after the Dunston top-scorer had been set up by Kane. In first-half stoppage time, Dunston were awarded a free-kick on the left which was sent to the far-post by Dan Halliday but after getting free of his marker, Dan Wilson could only bundle the ball agonisingly wide of the target.
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Half-time Score: Dunston UTS 0 Newcastle Benfield 0
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Having been so evenly matched in the first-half, both sides came out after half-time in the same determined mood and after some early attack and counter-attack, it was Benfield who had the first real scoring opportunity in the 49th minute when ex-Consett player Gilberto Chapim was fouled just outside the Dunston box. Paul Brayson hammered the free-kick across goal but the Dunston defenders were relieved to see the ball fly past the far post.
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On 54 minutes Andy Bulford muscled his way past Lewis Scorgie on the turn but his shot flew high and wide. As the fierce tackling from both sides continued, Dan Halliday took a free-kick from the left in the 59th minute but the Benfield defenders Tobin, Slaughter and Scorgie were dominant and made sure that the Dunston attackers could not threaten Cook. On 64 minutes, Benfield substitute Shane Jones fizzed in a 25-yard shot that tested Liam Connell but the Dunston keeper held onto the ball low down to his left.

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Three minutes later it was Cook’s turn at the other end to pull off a good stop to deny Dan Halliday who had made a good run and sent in a powerful low shot. On 70 minutes Nicky Kane sent a header just over the Benfield bar and then two minutes later Lewis Scorgie did the same when he got on the end of a Michael Hoganson free-kick. In the 73rd minute Chapim set up Brayson but his final effort went just wide of the Dunston post. On 76 minutes a great run by Dan Smith resulted in a right-wing corner and when Dan Halliday swung over the flag-kick, Andy Bulford flicked a header just wide of the near post. Two minutes later, Smith made another forceful run and set up Nicky Kane whose dangerous cross was expertly picked out of the air by keeper Cook.
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In the 80th minute, Benfield almost broke the deadlock when a Mark Convery cross was met by substitute Dan Taylor but fortunately for Dunston the header flew straight at Liam Connell who was able to gather. In the very next minute, Connell had to pull off an excellent save to deny Paul Brayson whose header looked to be going into the top-left corner before the keeper intervened. On 83 minutes Dale Burrell sent in a strong shot at the other end which Cook was able to block but the Dunston midfielder was injured in the act of shooting and had to be replaced by Gary Ormston. In the 87th minute Bulford worked a good opening but his goal-bound effort was blocked by Lewis Scorgie who typified the attitude of both teams as they were determined not to concede.
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Dunston’s late substitutions saw Lee McAndrew and Jonny Wightman give them some late impetus and they almost grabbed a late winner in stoppage time. A fierce low diagonal cross by Gary Ormston saw goalkeeper Cook partially parry across goal to the far-post where Lee McAndrew looked a certain scorer until his effort was somehow kept out by a defender on the line with the Dunston players appealing for hand-ball. The decision didn’t go in their favour and the danger was cleared with the Referee calling a halt to the game which had ended in the draw being a fair reflection of proceedings.
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Full-Time Score: Dunston UTS 0 Newcastle Benfield 0
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Dunston Man of the Match: Dan Smith, his hard running and tackling summed up the whole game in which neither team was willing to give an inch. Despite there being no goals, it was not for the want of effort from either side, and the draw was a fair result.
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Dunston UTS: Connell, Cattanach, Halliday, Burrell (Ormston), Coulson, Gilhespy, Smith,
Dixon, Wilson (Wightman), Bulford, Kane (McAndrew). Subs not used: Clark, Scorer.
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Newcastle Benfield: Cook, Turnbull, Hoganson, Slaughter, Tobin, Scorgie, Youldon
(Convery), Chapim, Brayson, Hardy (Taylor), Baptiste (Jones). Subs not used: McAllindon, Leeson.

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Next home game... League 4th April versus Morpeth Town, Kick off 3:00pm









...................................NL Div 1 Upto & Inc 25th March 2015 .....................................
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts
1
Guisborough Town
37
23
8
6
86
41
45
77
2
West Auckland
37
22
7
8
95
49
46
73
3
Shildon
34
23
3
8
92
41
51
72
4
Marske Utd
35
21
8
6
89
43
46
71
5
North Shields
34
21
6
7
74
40
34
69
6
Dunston UTS
35
20
6
9
62
39
23
66
7
Jarrow Roofing
39
19
6
14
76
59
17
63
8
Consett
36
17
9
10
93
64
29
60
9
Morpeth Town
36
15
12
9
71
62
9
57
10
N' Benfield
38
16
8
14
83
68
15
56
11
Durham City
36
16
6
14
68
61
7
54
12
Whitley Bay
36
16
3
17
73
89
-16
51
13
Bishop Auckland
35
16
2
17
61
64
-3
50
14
Ashington
37
13
5
19
60
74
-14
44
15
Bedlington Terrs
35
13
4
18
65
68
-3
43
16
Penrith
33
11
10
12
55
61
-6
43
17
Newton Aycliffe
39
12
3
24
55
72
-17
39
18
W. Allotment Celtic
38
11
3
24
51
90
-39
36
19
Sunderland RCA
33
9
7
17
46
65
-19
34
20
Billingham Syn
38
10
4
24
63
92
-29
34
21
Celtic Nation
34
6
6
22
44
93
-49
24
22
Crook Town
37
1
4
32
38
165
-127
4

Saturday 21 March 2015

Durham City 0 Dunston UTS 0



Saturday 21st March 2015
Ebac Northern League – First Division
Durham City 0 Dunston UTS 0


Dunston were back in League action and on their travels to Belmont to meet another rebuilding side in Durham City who now have Ian Chandler as their manager. After a brief revival when the former Whitley Bay manager took charge, Durham seem to be once again struggling for points even though they have assembled a good squad.

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Dunston are also going through a rather lean spell of form with several players missing through injury and unavailability. Dale Burrell and Andy Bulford are not considered in the starting line-up but are on the bench. Dan Halliday, Michael Dixon and David Coulson are missing from the squad with David Scorer and Ben Cattanach continuing in the back-four.
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Dunston started brightly and within 5 minutes Ben Cattanach broke into the box and shot past City keeper Jordan Harkess only to be ruled offside. From then on, although Dunston managed to mount some promising attacks, they were unable to penetrate the Durham box. On 8 minutes ex-Sunderland striker Ryan Noble headed over the Dunston bar after Stephen Stewart sent in a good cross and a minute later Dan Wilson tested Harkess at the other end. On 13 minutes Dan Smith made a good run at the home defence only to be upended by a crude foul 25-yards from goal. Gareth Williams sent in the powerful free-kick but the Dunston forwards were unable to get a decisive touch and Harkess was able to gather.
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On 20 minutes Liam Connell was called into action to block another effort from Ryan Noble and in the 25th minute Durham centre-half Ross Wilkinson headed wide from a Chris Wallace corner. Two minutes later, Walid Abeid sent in a free-kick from just outside the box but Connell made a confident save. Wilkinson managed to get on the end of another Wallace delivery in the 35th minute but Connell was equal to the header. The injured Gareth Williams was forced off after only 38 minutes to be replaced by Dale Burrell who was immediately in the thick of the mid-field action. On 39 minutes Lee McAndrew made a tricky run on the left but when he put in his cross, Harkess collected under pressure.

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The next Dunston attack saw them work a good short-corner which ended with Nicky Kane hammering a shot over the bar from a Stephen Harrison cross to the back post. Both sides were striving for a break-through but were finding both defences determined not to give an inch. On 42 minutes Dale Burrell received the ball 25 yards out and tried a low shot which went narrowly wide of the target.
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Half-time Score: 0 – 0
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Durham had the first chance in the second-half as Johny Davis tried an audacious 30-yard lob as he spotted Liam Connell off his line only for the ball to go just over the bar on 48 minutes. On 58 minutes Dan Wilson crossed but it was cut out and cleared before Durham’s Chris Wallace broke on the right wing and put in a deep cross which was returned back across the face of the Dunston goal before it was cleared. A minute later Connell saved another Wallace effort before he stopped another shot, this time by Lewis Gibbins.
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On 61 minutes Dale Burrell got a shot on target after a Dan Wilson lay-back but Harkess was alert and saved. On 62 minutes a cross from Walid Abeid caught in the wind and bounced on top of the Dunston cross-bar and out of play. Dunston replied with a dangerous Stephen Harrison cross to the back post being met by Gary Ormston but his shot went wide of the near post. The play was going from end-to-end as both sides were giving up possession and a minute later Connell had to save from another Abeid shot. On 70 minutes Burrell had a 35-yard shot which flew just over the cross-bar.
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On 72 minutes Wallace put in a long throw which Ormston cleared under pressure. At the other end, keeper Harkess was very fortunate as he twice failed to effectively punch away a clearance from a Stephen Harrison cross before finally claiming it and alleviating the danger. On 78 minutes Dan Wilson was unlucky when he retrieved a loose ball in the area and tried a back-heel attempt rather than turn but it went straight to the keeper’s hands.
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Dunston were applying a bit of pressure and on 80 minutes Jonny Wightman had a 35-yard shot which went just wide of the post before Burrell supplied a cross for Andy Bulford whose volleyed shot was blocked. Durham came into the game again but the Dunston defence held firm, and on 85 minutes Burrell played in Wightman on the left-wing and as he advanced into the box his cross was blocked and bounced out of play off his leg. Durham had the final chance in stoppage time as Chris Wallace headed wide from a corner.
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Final Score: Durham City 0 Dunston UTS 0
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Dunston Man of the Match: Luke Gilhespy - although not a perfect performance, Luke was a key defender with some timely tackles and interceptions. Dale Burrell also played well but he needed assistance from his fellow team members which was lacking at times.
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Durham City: Harkess, Stewart, Alan, Wilkinson, Purewal, Gibbins, Davis (Hope), Wallace, Ryan Noble, Patton (Bakhti), Abeid (Fryatt). Subs not Used: Munro, Reece Noble.
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Dunston UTS: Connell, Harrison, Cattanach, Williams (Burrell), Scorer, Gilhespy, Kane (Wightman), Smith, Wilson, Ormston, McAndrew (Bulford). Subs not Used: Clark, Hodgson.
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Report By Tom Clark






Sunday 15 March 2015

Dunston UTS 2 Newton Aycliffe 1

Improved Dunston do enough for victory.

14th March 2015
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Dunston UTS 2

Newton Aycliffe 1
Attendance 143

Dunston welcomed Newton Aycliffe to the UTS Stadium for the EBAC Northern League Division 1 game. After Tuesdays dismal draw against Sunderland RCA Dunston were looking to pull their socks up and get back on the victory trail against a lowly placed Newton Aycliffe side, which despite new signings by new manager Peter Dixon, formerly at West Auckland, are still requiring points to ensure First Division football next season.


Dunston were without Coulson, suspended, Dixon and Bulford injured and Gilhespy unavailable but welcomed back Craig Hodgson onto the bench after his lengthy spell out recovering from a knee injury against Crook early in the season.

Dunston came out the starting blocks and in the 3rd minute Nicky Kane got past Craig Garthwaite and put in a low cross which was cleared back to him, his next cross saw a Wilson Flick go just wide of the far post. On 5 another Kane cross to Wilson was laid back to Ormston whose shot was tipped over the bar by Winter. On 8 minutes Ormston played the ball into Wilson whose shot was blocked the ball fell to Harrison in the area but his poked shot on target was deflected and cleared from the box. Aycliffe struggled to get into the game with the Dunston defence being alert.


On 12 Burrell beat the Aycliffe offside trap beating Garthwaite and then playing his shot past the the helpless Winter into the net for 1 –0 to Dunston. On 16 Aycliffe got a chance as Knight was played through, his low shot however was blocked and cleared, a minute later the ball was played out on the wing to Laidlaw whose shot into the near post was parried clear by Connell. On 18 Dan Smith was challenged in the act of shooting for a corner which was taken by Halliday, Wilson’s header was cleared as far as Burrell who shot into a crowded goal area and the ball was blocked.

On 22 After 22 Wilson did well to retrieve a through ball and pulled his cross back across the goal but Wilson did well to collect. In the 32nd minute Coffey shot wide after collecting a loose Dunston clearance, on 38 Banks was played through but the alert Connell blocked his shot just outside the 18 yard box and cleared the danger, Burrell picked up a loose Wilson clearance and shot wide from 40 yards out.

On 39 Ormston played in Burrell whose shot on target was deflected wide for a corner, the corner from Halliday was low into the front post which Wilson did well to stop and collect. On 41 Wison collected the ball and travelled into the Aycliffe defence, despite being pulled back he continued into the area and forced a corner. The corner from Harrison was met by Ormson who headed down into the corner of the goal only for Wilson to save.

Half Time Score 1 – 0

Dunston came out in the second as they did in the first with Dan Smith crossing to Burrell whose shot was saved by Winter, within a minute Winter saved low down again as Ormston shot. On 50, Kane shot over the bar after receiving a lay off from Wilson. On 52 Kane was played through one on one against the keeper playing his shot into the net for Dunstons’ second. On 62 Wilson crossed for Smith whose header was deflected for a corner, from the Halliday corner Ormston headed over the bar.


Aycliffe got back in the game on 65 when Young fired a 25 yard shot wide of the target and then two minutes later Paul Garthwaite shot over the bar from 35 yards. Dunston replied with Kane attacking the Aycliffe defence beating 3 men before placing his shot wide of the target. On 71 McAndrew put in a deep cross whish went just over the bar and then on 74 McAndrew raced with the ball down the left wing only to be fouled by Mitton as he tried to cross, from Harrisons’ free kick Scorer headed against the cross bar.

On 75 Harrison shot over the bar after receiving a lay off from Kane. Aycliffe pulled a goal back on 86 minutes after a lone effort by Knight saw him travel down the right wing and enter the box before firing a low shot pas Connell into the far corner of the net 2-1 to Dunston. Dunston became wary in the final minutes but restricted Aycliffe and Knight to only one opportunity which was shot wide of the near post.

Full Time Score Dunston 2 Newton Aycliffe 1

An improved Dunston display saw them gain a useful victory to keep them in the top six of the league with only 9 games to play. The league title will definitely come from the current top six and Dunston have 3 of those teams to play Guisborough (a), Shildon (a) and North Shields (h) in what should be an interesting final month of the season.

Dunstons Man of the Match: Dale Burrell, his midfield running and support of the forwards was an essential ingredient in getting the required result.

Dunston UTS: Connell, Harrison, Halliday, Burrell, Scorer, Cattanach, Smith (McAndrew 62), Ormston, Wilson, Williams, Kane (Wightman 81). Subs not used: Clark, Hodgson, Preen

Newton Aycliffe: Winter. Brown, Gibson, Mitton, Garthwaite (Craig) (Boagey 52), Young, Garhwaite (Paul) (Harrison 83), Coffey, Laidlaw (Scott 75), Knight, Banks. Subs not used:

Report by T.C.

Next Home Game.
EBAC Northern League - Dunston UTS vs Newcastle Benfield on Tuesday 24th March 7:30pm KO

 

Tuesday 10 March 2015

Dunston UTS 2 Sunderland RCA 2

10th March 2015
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Dunston UTS  2
Sunderland RCA 2
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Dunston welcomed Sunderland RCA to the UTS Stadium for the EBAC Northern League Division 1 game.  Dunston failed to score last Saturday at Whitley Bay and came away without any points after a defensive error allowed a Bay substitute to score past a diving Connell for the only goal of the game. This defeat was not to detrimental to the Dunston league position as the top six sides in the league only managed two points between them although Jarrow Roofing in 7th position did win and moved above Dunston as a result. Sunderland RCA are currently in 20th place in the league although due pitch issues they have games in hand on the teams above them.

The Sunderland side have also being reorganising their squad recently. Dunston are without the suspended David Coulson and Michael Dixon although they welcome the return of Luke Gilhespy who served his ban in the last game but with injuries to Andy Bulford and work commitments of Stephen Harrison, Billy Irwin has had to shuffle his squad again for the game.

 In a fairly platonic first half Dunston started on top but did not apply the finishing touches however on 3 Minutes McAndrew had a soft shot saved by Carmichael, then on 4 McAndrew blazed a shot over the bar only to be ruled offside. RCA worked their Way into the game and on 5 Connell collected a Hughes shot and on 10 Hughes missed the target with a shot after driving himself into the box. On 15 Burrell had a free kick parried by Carmichael and after the ball fell to Ormston who drove a low cross across the face of the goal but no Dunston Player was on hand to convert.
 
On 17 Wilson drove a ball across the goal from the by line passing Carmichael and a defender was unable to direct the ball anywhere but into the goal for 1 – 0 to Dunston. Instead of Dunston taking advantage of their lead it was RCA who created the best chances, on 25 a Larkin free kick was saved by Connell, a minute later Larkin was fed in by Armstrong but shot wide, on 32 Brown put in a shot which Connell collected on the second attempt and then before half time Hughes had an initial shot blocked by Connell but his second attempt went across the goal and past the far post.


 Half Time Score 1 – 0

The second half started with RCA on the attack  on 48 Hughes shot was headed clear for a corner by Gilhespy, on 49 Hughes crossed and the ball beat all except Connell who collected. On 50 the swift footed Larkin raced through the Dunston defence went past Connell and the placed his side footed shot in the net off the post despite the flailing efforts of Gilhespy who chased down the slow shot. 1–1 after 50 minutes. 
 
RCA almost doubled their total as Larkin crossed and Rowe poked his shot wide of the near post. On 58 minutes Dan Smith was fouled in the area and the referee immediately awarded a penalty which Burrell hammered home past Carmichael for 2-1 to Dunston. This goal did not however lift Dunston as RCA were awarded a soft free kick 30 yards out from goal, Armstrong for RCA placed his kick high in the top left hand corner of Connells’ goal for a
2–2 scoreline after 61 minutes.

 
Dunston tried to rally and on 66 Wilson headed through to Smith whose shot went wide of the near post. On 69 RCA were awarded another free kick 35 yards out which Armstrong crossed for Hughes to head wide of the far post. On 74 Smith for Dunson won a chase for a ball into the area his driven cross went through to Kane who crossed back to Smith whose header was deflected wide for a corner. On 76 Bulford drove in a low cross and Wilson shot wide of the near post. On 77 Carmichael took a Burrell free kick to alleviate pressure. On 82 Bulford got the ball into the net from a low cross but was ruled offside.
 
0n 86 minutes the ball was played across the Dunston Goal to Bogie who could not control the ball allowing Connell to collect, within a minute  Kane got in a header from a Dunston corner which went right across the goal and past the far post, this was followed by a Smith Header  which went right across the  goal area. RCA were still keen and were breaking quickly so on 88 minutes Hughes went past Gilhespy and shot wide of the target. As the game approached full time Dan Smith headed a ball back across the goal to Bulford who was unable to direct his shot on target.

Full Time Score Dunston 2 Sunderland RCA 2

Full marks for RCA who wanted something out of this game while Duntson played as though they would win any way, how wrong could they have been and but for a fortunate own goal and a penalty Carmichael in the RCA goalwas rarely troubled.

Dunstons Man of the Match: Liam Connell takes the plaudit as no outfield players shone in a fairly low performance game for Dunston

Dunston UTS: Connell, Williams (Harrison 45), Halliday, Burrell (Cpt), Cattanach, Gilhespy, Wightman (Bulford 70) Ormston, Wilson, Smith, McAndrew (Kane 60). Subs not used: Clark, Scorer.

Sunderland RCA: Carmichael, Davis, Jury, Brown, Preston, Wood (Bogie 84), Charlton, Rowe, Larkin, Hughes, Armstrong.   Subs not used: Weldon Callen, Morris, Richardson.

Referee, Lucy May. Assistants, Craig Chatton and Neil Milburn.

Report by T.C.

Next Home Game. EBAC Northern League - Dunston UTS vs Newton Aycliffe on Saturday 14th March 3:00pm KO



 

Saturday 7 March 2015

Whitley Bay 1 Dunston UTS 0

Dunston fail to make possession into goals.

7th  March 2015
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Whitley Bay 1 
Dunston UTS 0

Dunston were back in league action and on their travels to Hillheads in Whitley Bay to meet a rebuilding Whitley Bay side who not only have a new manager but also are signing new players to enhance their squad. Dunston are currently in sixth place in the league and looking to improve their goal difference.

Dunston were without the suspended Dixon and Gilhespy, Scorer is also on the injury list alongside Coulson but other players are carrying niggling knocks and are in need of a rest after Tuesday nights win against Penrith in the Quarter Final of the league cup after extra time by 3-2. The conditions at Hillheads are not good and the strong gale and the uneven pith surface is very likely to spoil the the game as a football exercise.

Dunston started with the strong wind at their backs and tried to master the conditions but it was not until the 9th minute that Wilson forced a corner which in itself was cleared by a hesitant Bay defence. On 10 Williams put in a free kick from just inside the Bay half but it went past the far post, on 12 Ormston had what was Dunstons first shot on target saved by the keeper Flynn, Dunston were pushing on but not taking opportunities to shoot and trouble Flynn. On 17 Williams again put in across / shot from range and Flynn had to force it away for a corner.
 
On 21 Wilson put in a cross which was cleared as far as Kane who was fouled on the edge of the area. Williams put in the free kick which was cleared but a rebound forced the ball towards goal and it had to be cleared again. On 24a defensive error by Dunston allowed Watling into the area advancing on Connell, Connell held his ground and deflected the Watling shot wide of the target, a minute later a Williams long throw fell to Dan Smith who shot over the cross bar, 3 minutes later a Burrell header went over the cross bar from another long Williams throw in which was knocked onto the front post by Coulson.

On 30 a good run by Kane ended in a ball being laid back to Williams whose cross was deflected towards goal forcing a save by Flynn. On 32 Kempster was played into the box unmarked but Harrison recovered to block his shot. On 35 Wightman on for the injured Bulford was fouled on the edge of the Bay Area, Williams fired in the free kick which went wide of the far post. Play continued towards half time with Dunston promising but not
delivering any real testing shots, just on 45 Smith blocked a clearance in the Bay Area but was adjudged to have used his hands, and a minute later Connell had to collect a Watling 20 yard shot from just outside the area and then in the 4th minute of added time Watling fed Bird in the area and Connell again had to collect the shot.

Half time 0-0

Dunston who must have had good talking to by Manager Billy Irwin came out strong and on 46 Wightman was played into the box but his deft chip shot went just over the bar. Whitley replied with a 35 yard shot by Blandford which Connell saved before Wilsn chased and won a ball in the Whitley area he steadied and put in a low cross to Smith who somehow managed to fire over from 4 yards out. On 55 Wightman was fed into area by Wilson and the shot was deflected for a corner.

Five minutes later Wightman again was fed through and after advancing into the area unleashed a shot which went over the bar. On 65 Ferrell played a through ball to Bird but the alert Connell was quickly outto collect. After 70 Burrell had a shot on target which was blocked and flew up in the air as it came down Wilson attempted a volley shot but the wind took the ball and his shot spewed wide. On 72 a Smith header from a Williams cross bounced into the hands of Flynn and then 4 minutes later from a Harrison corner, Smith again shot over the bar from 12 yards out. In the 80th minute a drastic error in the Dunston defence allowed the ball to reach substitute Williamson to advance on Connell and side foot his shot past the out coming Connell into the net for what was to be the winning goal 1-0 to Whitley Bay.

Dunston had only one more attempt on target on 82 as Ormston put in a low shot which was first fumbled by Flynn at the near post but he recovered to collect and prevent the danger. Whitley then managed to run the clock down preventing any
danger to their goal.

Final Score Whitley Bay 1 Dunston UTS 0

Dunston were made to pay for the lack of shots on the Whitley goal in the first half but in all truth were much the better side in the second half. Dunston should have been at least two goals up when Whitley scored following a drastic error along their back four which allowed Williamson on a clear run at Connell which he converted.

Dunstons Man of the Match: Dale Burrell who stood out with his constant probing and provision of the ball especially in the second half, Gareth Williams also did well filling in at left back, but Dunston missed their suspended players and should really have taken the points from this game.

Whitley Bay: Flynn, McFarlane, McDonald, Blandford, Laws (M), McGarr, Norriss (Williams 70), Ferrell, Watling, Bird, Kempster. Subs not used: Laws (H), Cave, McBride, Richardson.

Dunston UTS: Connell, Harrison, Williams,Burrell, Coulson, Ormston, Smith, Wilson Bulford (Wightman 34), Kane (McAndrew 64) Subs not Used: Clark, Halliday, Preen
 
Report By T.C.

Dunston next Home game Tuesday 10 March 2015 v Sunderland RCA 7:30 KO
 
 

Tuesday 3 March 2015

Dunston UTS 3 Penrith 2.

DUNSTON UTS v PENRITH

Report by Billy Montague
Tuesday 3rd March 2015
Brooks Mileson Cup – Fourth Round
Final Score:
Dunston UTS  3  
Penrith  2  (aet)

Dunston were back in Cup Tie action in this League Cup Fourth Round and welcomed fellow First Division side Penrith to the UTS Stadium. Dunston Manager Billy Irwin was without the services of the suspended Luke Gilhespy and Dan Smith who was cup-tied, having played for Hebburn Town in a previous Round. Stephen Harrison and Nicky Kane returned to the starting line-up. Former Dunston player Martyn Coleman led the visitors’ attack in an impressive team that had tasted defeat only once their last eight fixtures against League opposition.

Dunston started with a strong and bitterly cold wind at their backs and although they pushed hard for an early advantage, the conditions were proving difficult for both teams. The home side were tending to over-hit their forward passes and it was Penrith who were putting together some good passing moves. Martyn Coleman had the first real attempt on goal in the 5th minute but his run and shot were easily dealt with by Liam Connell.
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Dunston replied three minutes later after a good Lee McAndrew run saw him set-up Nicky Kane whose shot went over keeper Josh Richardson’s bar. Dale Burrell then sent a free-kick from 25-yards wide of the target. Penrith’s Ric Faustino made a probing run on the right on 11 minutes but his dangerous cross was cleared by David Coulson. Dunston opened the scoring on 12 minutes when Dale Burrell made a good run from left to right before cleverly supplying Nicky Kane who advanced and sent a low shot across Richardson and into the net inside the far post. 1–0 to Dunston.

This set-back seamed to spur on Penrith and they mounted several good attacks but the combination of good defending by the home side and the swirling wind meant that their approach play didn’t bring any clear scoring chances until the 16th minute when Connell was forced to turn a swerving Sam Bell shot round his left post. The Dunston keeper was called into action again in the 20th minute to parry a dangerous effort from Coleman with David Scorer completing the clearance. Kane relieved the pressure in the 26th minute when he made a good run on the left but when he made room to shoot, his effort was gathered by Richardson. Lee McAndrew robbed Penrith’s Willie Paul in the 31st minute before going on a tricky run and when he fed the unmarked Andy Bulford, the top-scorer took control before hammering into the top-right corner of the net. 2–0 to Dunston.

Play was switching from end-to-end and Penrith were still very much in the game with Coleman making some strong runs on either flank. Connell made another good save to deny Sam Bell and in the 44th minute he had to be at his best to block a Coleman effort when the centre-forward cut in from the left flank.

Half-time score:  2–0 to Dunston.

Penrith started the second-half determined to take advantage of the elements that were now in their favour and it was no surprise when they grabbed a goal back on 49 minutes. Sam Bell latched onto a loose ball and sent a great pass over the top of the home defence to the hard-running Martyn Coleman who gave Liam Connell no chance with a powerful finish. 2 – 1 to Dunston.


Dunston almost increased their lead in the 58th minute when a Stephen Harrison corner found David Coulson whose header was cleared off the line. In the next minute a Dale Burrell free-kick was met by David Scorer but his header scraped past the upright. Burrell sent a dangerous cross over, then Dan Halliday had a low shot saved by Richardson in the 70th minute.

Penrith were always dangerous but as in the first-half, the wind was proving troublesome with several passes being over-hit. Coleman was proving to be the main threat to the home goal with his willing running and ability to hold off defenders causing Dunston countless problems. There seemed little danger in the 80th minute when Martyn Coleman picked up possession 25 yards from goal on the left flank, but as he made a run across Dunston’s back-line, the defenders backed off and he sent a powerful low shot into the corner of the net. 2–2.

Coleman almost repeated the feat six minutes later, but this time Connell was able to keep the effort out. Andy Bulford almost snatched an unlikely winner for Dunston on 88 minutes when his effort was just too high after good work by substitute Dan Wilson.

Score after 90 minutes:   Dunston UTS  2   Penrith  2

Extra-time saw Dunston with the wind at their backs again and they almost took advantage on 95 minutes when Michael Dixon headed just wide. The breakthrough came two minutes later when Dan Wilson was upended in the box and Andy Bulford stepped up to despatch the resultant penalty. 3 – 2 to Dunston.


On 110 minutes Connell made a fine save to deny Coleman with Harrison completing the clearance and right at the death Dan Wilson made a great run but his effort brushed a post with the unmarked Bulford screaming for a pass. Penrith went close with efforts from Jake Smith and Aaron Kelly but Dunston held on.

Dunston Man of the Match: Dale Burrell – He was always willing to get on the ball in a very hard fought match and was willing to try to make things happen.

Dunston UTS: Connell, Harrison, Halliday, Burrell, Coulson, Scorer, Kane (Wilson), Ormston, Dixon, Bulford, McAndrew (Wightman). Subs not used: Clark, Williams, Cattanach.

Penrith: Richardson, Paul, Smith, Davidson, Little, Street (Irving), Kelly, Jackson, Coleman, Bell (Cham), Faustino (Pickthall). Subs not used: Newton.
 
Referee, Paul Keogh.
Assistants, Tom Chambers, Tom Armstrong.
 
Next Game, Away to Whitley Bay, League fixture, 7th March 2015.