Wednesday 29 July 2015

Dunston UTS 0 Hartlepool Utd 3

29th July 2015
Friendly
Dunston UTS 0
Hartlepool United 3
Att 264

Dunston entertain Hartlepool United at UTS Stadium, Dunston still have players missing and players with niggling injuries, while Hartlepool are turning up with a full first team squad with former Dunston striker Scott Fenwick on the bench. The pit is in slick condition for what promises to be the most difficult game of their warm up season.

In an evenly matched game for 30 minutes Dunston held their own proving their fitness against a full football league side. On 7 minutes Dunston got the first chance as Bulford was played in by Briggs, his shot was saves by Bartlett. Hartlepool replied on 12 when Magnay had a shot which went wide from 20 yards out. After 21 minutes Burrell crossed from the right wing was deflected wide for a corner. Hartlepool striving to get control against a defiant Dunston midfield and on 21 Bingham tested Clark with a shot which he was equal and again 5 minutes later Bingham played in a shot which took a slight deflection but Clark was able to save.
 
A minute later Bingham got his reward as Paynter headed back across the Dunston goal to where he had created space and time to poke a shot past Clark, 1-0  to Hartlepool on 30 minutes. Dunston rallied but Hartlepool side were beginning to find their feet and push Dunston back and on 36 minutes Featherstone was played in behind the Dunston defence and played a low shot past the advancing Clark into the far corner of the net 2-0 to Hartlepool. As Dunston recovered there was only one further chance in the first half as Featherstone latched onto a Bingham lay back and shot forcing Clark again to make a fine save. All in all, Dunston were unlucky to find themselves 2-0 down at half time.



To their credit Dunston started the second half in the same vein as the first, showing that their spirits were still high, on 51 minutes Featherstone created another chance as he turned well on the edge of the box in the centre of the pitch and shot just wide. 2 minutes later Carroll was played in behind the Dunston defence and powered a low shot past Clark into the far corner of Clarks’ goal to make it 3- 0. Dunston still trying hard attacked with a Burrell cross into the area which found Briggs but he was ruled offside. After 58 minutes, Carroll played a ball into the Dunston area which found Magnay who turned and volleyed over the cross bar from 6 yards out. Dunston replied on 60 as Briggs shot over the bar from 15 yards, then a Harrison cross into the area was played back towards Morien who was just unable to get his shot away as he was closed down.



A minute later Harrison shot from an acute angle only for Bartlett to strongly save the ball. On 64, Worley drove in a shot from 20 yards out and Clark watched it closely as it went over his bar, then on 70, Oates hit a screamer past a helpless Clark only for the ball to hit the crossbar and bounce back into play and cleared. A minute later a fleet footed Oyenuga was played into the box and hit a low shot which Clark did well to stop and pounce on the rebound.
 
As both sides started to flag after their efforts in pouring rain chances began to fade but Dunston still tried to get a consolation goal which they deserved and Burrell tried a 30 yard shot which went just wide of the near post, on 77, Oates tried a shot went across the Dunston goal and past the far post. The battle continued but the only opportunity in the closing minutes came from Oyenuga who turned well in the area and his low shot was parried by Clark and cleared for a corner.

Dunston can count themselves unlucky not to have scored tonight after another impressive performance against an organised strong side from Hartlepool, especially with a depleted side missing some influential players in Wilkinson, Martindale, Richardson, Dixon and Thear. This was another promising performance by Dunston and we can look to better results in the Northern League.



Dunston UTS:  Clark, Pearson, Halliday, Burrell, Harrison, Gilhespy, Smith, Francis, Hodgson, Bulford (Morien 45), Briggs. Subs not used: Martindale, Wilson.

Hartlepool United:  Bartlett, Duckworth, Parnaby, Worley, Harrison, Magnay, Featherstone, Woods, Bingham, Paynter, Carroll. Subs: Walker, Denton, Oyenuga, Bates, Oates, Fenwick, Smith.

Report by T.C.

Next home game, Saturday 1 August 2015 v Kendal Town, Kick Off 3:00pm.



Monday 27 July 2015

Chester-Le-St 0 Dunston UTS 3

Dunston play well to beat the Cestrians..

27th July 2015
Friendly
Chester let Street 0
Dunston UTS 3

Dunston travelled to near neighbours Chester le Street to play their fifth friendly of their campaign after their 3‐3 draw against Handswoth Parramore on Saturday. Once Again manager Billy Irwin has players on holiday and some players unavailable because of small niggling injuries and tonight has to select his team from eleven available players after Steven Richardson and Malcolm Morien pulled out during the warm up.

The Chester side includes past Dunston players and also Scott Heslop who has been involved in Dunston's preseason games.

The game began with both sides trying to find their feet on a slippery outfield pitch after a day's continuous rainfall, it was Chester who got the first chance as their centre forward beat Pearson on the left wing but his low cross went across the Dunston goal and away to safety. On 9 minutes Bulford found Harrison with a switched ball from left to right and the cross from Harrison found Burrell Whose Header was deflected wide by the keeper for a corner. From the Corner Burrell played in a cross which Bulford met but his header was wide of the target. On 15, Bulford broke through the Chester defence on the right, he played a ball in for Francis whose shot was defected for a corner.

From the corner Burrell again played in a low cross which Briggs deflected goalwards and the keeper saved. On 18 Francis took a free kick into the box which found Briggs on hand to hammer home from 2 yards out for the opening goal for Dunston. Chester replied again with the centre forward

producing a shot which Clark saved. On 37, Chester created a great chance as their right back crossed deep to the far post but Heslop header went over the bar. With 5 minutes to go to half time Dunston increased their lead as Smith laid off a ball to Burrell on the edge of the box, Burrell controlled and played in a shot into the bottom left of the goal from 18 yards out. A minute later Briggs got clear but his attempt was cleared. 0‐0 at half time.

The second half began again with both sides vying for possession , on 50 Pearson crossed and smith only just failed to direct his header on target before Heslop hit the post with a free kick from the edge of the box. 2 minutes later Heslop was again causing problems as he crossed deep into the box but Halliday was able to head clear and avert the danger. On 55 Briggs ran in from the left wing to receive a through ball on the right of the goal and his well struck shot was parried by the keeper, unfortunately the rebound to Briggs was shot wide of the target.
 
On 57, Burrell ran into the Chester areabut his low cross went harmlessly across the Chester goal, 2 minutes later Bulford fired in a shot from the right edge of the box and the keeper again had to make a good save.

After 63 Halliday played in a great cross which found Burrell but the header went over the bar. Dunston were in command but had to be wary of the Chester breaks from defence which Gilhespy and Hodgson were marshalling well. On 75 Halliday received a ball back from Burrell and attacked the Chester area along the edge of the box, his right foot shot however went wide of the target, this was followed 5 minutes later as Briggs laid of to Harrison who shot from 20 yards also wide of the near post. As the game approached the end Dunston got their third and final goal as Halliday played the ball hard and low into the box, Bulford controlled turned and shot into the net from 8 yards out.

This was a good work out for both sides in their build ups for the new season, it gave manager Billy Irwin the opportunity to see players in different positions and for the players to play their passing game throughout the whole game.

Chester Le Street: not available

Dunston UTS: Clark, Pearson, Halliday, Burrell, Hodgson, Gilhespy, Smith, Francis, Harrison, Bulford, Briggs.

Dunston's next home game: verses Hartlepool United Friendly no 6, 7:30 KO on
Wednesday 29 July 2015.

Report by T.C.

Saturday 25 July 2015

Dunston UTS 3 Handsworth Parramore 3

25th July 2015
Friendly
Dunston UTS 3
Handsworth Parramore 3







Referee, Helen Byrne
Assistants, Andrew Botha, Matthew Herriott.

View Match day pictures HERE

Tuesday 21 July 2015

Harton & Westoe 0 Dunston UTS 3

Harton give Dunston a good work out..

21st July 2015
Friendly No 3
Harton & Westoe 0
Dunston UTS 3 (Francis, Morien, Richardson)

Dunston travelled to nearby South Shields for the 3rd friendly fixture against Harton & Westoe FC who have an impressive well maintained ground, club-house and facilities at the Harton & Westoe Miners Welfare Ground, just off the John Reid Road.
 
Once again Manager Billy Irwin has to shuffle his squad because of minor injuries and players away on holidays, but these are balanced by the return of Atkinson and the first introduction of Alex Francis who has just returned from holiday.

The game started in sunshine on a beautifully prepared pitch and both sides were showing that they were up for a challenge, Harton showed their metal as Heads broke and fired a ball across the Dunston goal and past the far post on 2 minutes, then Dunston replied with Burrell laying the ball off to Francis who shot also wide of the target. The game settled as both sides found their way.
 
On 16 Dan Smith had a shot collected by Greenham from 30 yards out and a minute later Morien played in a shot from the left edge of the area and Wilson just failed to poke home the rebound. Harton replied with the wide attacking play which resulted in a 25 yard shot by Carroll which Clark saved. A minute Later Dunston almost got the opener as a Francis corner from the left was headed goalwards by Burrell, which was stopped again by Greenham.
 
On 19 Burrell had shot from 12 yards out which went narrowly wide, followed by a marauding Morien beating his markers but placed his shot wide. Harton still broke well and on 22 won a corner after Cooper was played in on the left wing but Pearson recovered to defend his goal. On 25 Morien again shot across the Harton Goal and just past the post, 3 minutes later, Harrison played in a cross from the left and Thear headed on target but it was blocked and cleared. Dunston were creating chances but as yet still needed to find their scoring boots on 34, Morien laid a ball off to Burrell who shot over the bar, before Morien again shot low and hard across the Harton goal.
 
On 40 minutes Harton still showed they were up for the fight as60 Francis took a free kick from the edge of the area but it was just over the bar. On 65 Francis played in to Richardson whose return gave Francis a chance which was shot wide. Richardson was buzzing in the forward line and he played in Harrison whose shot was saved, before Morien also creating his space had Heads was found in space on the left and shot over the cross bar. Before half time Dunston paid siege just on the edge of the Harton area playing a controlled passing game before Burrell played off to Harrison who shot wide of the target. Half time score 0-0

No changes at half time to either side and both sides again met the challenge, Dunston created the first chance 5 minutes into the half as Francis shot from 25 yards out and Greenham again pulled out a save. On 54 Francis broke the deadlock with a 20 yard shot after Morien and Richardson, on for Wilson, had combined to produce the opportunity on the edge of the box 1-0 to Dunston.
 
On another shot go just wide of the target. Harton rallied and almost equalised when substitute Rogers blasted a point blank shot on target forcing Clark save impressively pushing the ball wide of his goal.
 
On 72, Briggs with his first touch after replacing Thear, broke through the Harton defence and shot wide from 25 yards out. On 75 Pearson crossed and a Morien header was saved by Greenham, Dunston again pushing on lead by Richardson who played a great one two with Morien before his shot was deflected wide for a corner. From the corner Richardson got in a header which was saved. Morien again chased a ball down to the Harton goal line his pull back into the edge of the box fell to Francis whose shot was collected by Greenham.
 
On 80 Richardson again had a shot well saved by Greenham before Dunston got their second on 83 as Morien connected a left foot shot which went in off the post giving Greenham no chance. From the restart a through ball saw both Briggs and Morien racing into the area, Briggs got there first and his shot went just wide. Harton replied with a break by Housby whose shot went just over Clarks cross bar. On 88 with both sides still competing Burrell saw yet another shot saved by Greenham before Richardson drilled in a 25 yard shot which beat Greenham for 3-0 to Dunston after 89 minutes. Just before the final whistle Briggs played in a shot which rebounded off the keeper and was cleared.

Final score Harton & Westoe 0  Dunston UTS 3

This was an entertaining and enjoyable game for both spectators with Harton playing some attractive and competitive football which should see them do well in the coming season. Dunston used this game to enhance their fitness and match practice playing a good passing game and creating opportunities for all players, however in the first half these were mostly just wide of the target and in the second half they were thwarted by the agile Greenham in the Harton nets. The goals that were scored were justified and well taken. This was another good workout for both sides.
.

Harton and Westoe:
Greenham, Wann, Cooper, Burrell, Nugent, Crammen, Housby, Carrol, Stevens, Bulman, Heads.
Subs: Smith (for Cooper 73),
Farrell,  Bell (for Bulman 66),
Vasey (for Stevens 50),
Rogers (for Burrell 66) 

Dunston UTS: Clark, Pearson,
Harrison, Burrell, Atkinson, Gilhespy, Smith, Francis, Wilson, Morien, Thear.
Subs  Richardson (for Wilson 50),
Hodgson (for Wilson 50),
Heslop (for Smith 60),
Briggs (for Thear 71).

Referee, Sam Ross.
Assistants, K. Barron & R. Scott.
 
Next Home Game...
Friendly vs Handsworth Parramore
25th July, 3:00pm Kick Off.

 
 

Saturday 18 July 2015

Dunston UTS 4 Worksop Town 3

18th July 2014
Friendly
Dunston UTS 4
Worksop Town 3
Att 180

Dunston entertain Worksop Town at the UTS Stadium today in their second warm up fixture for the 2015/16 season. Dunston's first friendly against Gateshead had shown a lot of promise but manager Billy Irwin had to make a few changes as they had picked up a couple of injuries an players went on prearranged holidays, this means that the back four would be shaken up with new signing Michael Pearson moving into centre back and Stephen Harrison coming back into right back, up front Andrew Bulford comes back in and Richardson plays slightly behind the forwards in midfield, an interestingformation for th Dunston side.

Worksop arrived slightly late and held the start of the game by 10 minutes, there're warm up games had seen some good victories and a defeat to league side Mansfield Town.



 
Dunston started well and in the 4 minute won a corner which was taken short to Richardson who crossed to Bulford whose header hit the post and fell to Heslop who shot home past a startled side. Worksop responded with a shot by Eliott on 7 which Clark held well, on 8 Jordan forced a low down save by Clark, before Dunston went further ahead after Briggs attacked the Worksop defence on the right, after playing a neat one two with Morien he then placed a shot past the advancing Kennedy in the Worksop goal. Briggs again on 11 put in a 30 yard low shot just past the far post.

Worksop rallied and on 16 Shaw put in a cross / shot which Clark managed to collect in the windy conditions. On 20 minutes Bulford turned his marker and advanced into the Worksop area, but his pass was blocked out by the recovering defence. On 25, Halliday played a cross died ball to Harrison who shot low and just past the far post.

Three minutes later, Dunston got their third goal as Morien read a poor back pass from Wafula to Kennedy, collecting the ball and poking the ball into the empty net. On 31, Morien almost made it 4 but his shot from 15 yards out was blocked by the defence. Dunston were now in command and on 34 Bulford got in a shot across the goal but Kennedy was equal to it and collected the ball.

Three minutes later Morien played a pass back to Richardson whose shot was saved by Kennedy. Worksop almost got a reply after they were awarded a free kick 25 yards out which Ward placed into the top far corner of the Dunston goal, Clark was equal to the shot and just managed to tip the ball over the bar after 40 minutes.

Just before halftime Bulford was fouled in the box by Scott and penalty kick was awarded which Bulford got up to take and he duly hammered home the kick past a diving Kennedy 4‐0 to Dunston
.



The second half saw some substitutions in the Dunston line up with Halliday, Richardson and Morien being replaced by Hodgson, Thear and Wilson respectively, Worksop remained unchanged and seemed to be buoyant after a stern halftime interval talk from their manager.

The stern talk appeared to work as the Worksop side pressed the Dunston defence which appeared to be containing the Worksop attacks, however on 55 it was Dunston's Thear who created the first chance as his dribble and control ended in a pin point pass through to Bulford only for a very alert Kennedy to collect.

On 65, Burrell played a 25 yard free kick over the cross bar. On 67, Worksop got a goal back as Ball collected a ball in front of goal which he turned and shot past a stranded Clark 4‐1 to Dunston, on 69, Bulford played in a great cross but it was just too high from the attacking Wilson at the back post to head home. On 75 Worksop reduced the deficit further as Ward picked up a rebound in the area and shot home past a stranded Clark.

Immediately Worksop again were on the attack and Ward played in Wooley but his shot went across the Dunston goal and out of play. On 77, Worksop were now back in the game as Jordan received a ball in the box and turned a low shot past Clark to make it 4‐3 to

Dunston. Dunston rallied and on 78 , Wilson just headedover a Bulford cross and then on 85 a Thear shot was deflected over the Worksop cross bar.  Dunston then held their own until the 89 minute when a deep Cottingham cros was thankfully watched over the cross bar by Clark
.



This was a game of two halves score line wise after a confident Dunston side controlled the first half and scored 4 goals without reply but in the second half a rejuvenated Worksop side after a stiff half time talk from their manager, showed their strengths against a Dunston defence which was weakened after Halliday injury and an imposed reorganisation.

Dunston strived for their first half form but could not add to their first half tally despite making some useful opportunities. All in all a good win and worthwhile game by Dunston against a reasonable side, who on another occasion may have proved more defiant.


Dunston UTS:- Andy Clark, Stephen Harrison, Dan Halliday (Craig Hodgson 46), Dale Burrell, Michael Pearson, Luke Gilhepsy, Matthew Briggs (Andrew Bulford 81), Scott Heslop (Micky Strachan 78), Steven Richardson (Dan Wilson 46),  Andrew Bulford (Malcom Morien 71), Malcolm Morien (Liam Thear 46).
Goals: Heslop (4), Briggs (8), Morien (28), Bulford (45+1 pen)

Worksop Town:- Jon Kennedy, Jono Wafula (Mark Shaw 80), Connor Smythe, Sam Liversidge, Jake Scott, James Cottingham, Steve Woolley (Josh Hobson 84), Tom Elliott (Scott Wesley 89), Jordan Ball, Kyle Jordan, Adam Ward. Unused subs: Chris Adam, Conor Sellars, Ben Townsend
Goals: Ball (66), Ward (75) Jordan (81)

Referee: Adam Herczeg
Assistant referees: Alex Clark & Sam Ross


52 Match pictures.. CLICK HERE

Next home game: verses Handswoth Parramore Friendly no 4, 3:00 KO on
Saturday 25 July 2015.

Tuesday 14 July 2015

Dunston UTS 0 Gateshead 2

14th July 2015
Friendly
Dunston UTS 0
Gateshead 2
Att 440

Dunston welcomed Gateshead to the UTS Stadium for their first friendly encounter of the 2015-16 season. Manager Billy Irwin and has been very active during the close season and has introduced some good signings to strengthen his squad for the coming league and cup campaigns, although Alex Francis, Liam Thear and Michael Dixon were not available for this game against a strong Gateshead side who were beaten 1-0 by a reasonable Newcastle United side last Friday. New signings Michael Pearson (right back), Adam Wilkinson (centre back), Matthew Briggs (midfield), Steven Richardson and Malcolm Morien (forwards) were selected in the starting line-up, with Scott Martindale (midfield) and Scott Martindale (centre back) on the bench.

The game started in sunshine on a beautifully prepared pitch and both sides were showing that they were up for a challenge. Gateshead showed their potential early as Dunston strived to close down and contain them; however on 3 and 5 minutes Gillies had shots blocked by the Dunston defence. On 7 minutes the Dunston defence were beaten by a through ball which found Phillips who calmly slotted the ball into the far right hand corner

of the net past an advancing Connell for 1 -0  to Gateshead.

On 12, Gateshead won their first corner as the Dunston defence cleared a dangerous cross from the left wing and on 14 Hodgson had to clear another cross over his own cross bar. On 15 Dunston almost got an equaliser as Patterson deflected a cross towards the Gateshead goal but Russell pulled off an acrobatic save to prevent the chance. On 20 Morien attacked and beat Buddle and played a cross come shot across the Gateshead goal area. Gateshead replied and broke quickly with McLaughlin on the left side pulling a ball back to Shaw who picked his spot of the Right hand corner of the net giving Connell no chance to save, 2-0 to Gateshead.




Dunston rallied and on 22 Morien in the box drew the Russell off his line; his shot past the keeper but also went past the far left hand post, then on 23 Burrell had a 25 yard shot deflected for a corner. At the other end Gateshead were still creating problems and on 24 Allan headed wide of the target from 15 yards out, then on 27, Allan shot wide  from 30 yards out. Allan again on 30 Minutes got a header in on target but the alert Gilhespy cleared his lines. On 31 Briggs went on a mazy dribble before playing a ball through the Gateshead defence for Morien, but Russell was alert and came out to smother the ball.

The game was becoming a more even contest with both sides playing some entertaining and competitive football and on 33 Phillips received a cross from Shaw and his shot went just wide of the right hand post. Dunston not to be denied on 35 minutes as Morien again was played through and despite a stumble he put in a cross which Russell did well to
collect and prevent a Dunston chance.



At Half time Changes were made by both sides and this dulled the entertainment a little but it was Gateshead again who got the first chance on 48 minutes as Gillies latched onto a Dunston goal line clearance and blasted a shot from 20 yards over the bar.

Dunston were competing but Gateshead were showing their superior fitness and technique and created a chances for Phillips who forced a corner on 52, then on 53 a Gillies free-kick from 20 yards went over the bar, and again on 65 Gillies had a shot go wide of the target from 18 yards out.

Dunston battled and probed to get into the game and on 68 Harrison met a Burrell cross which was headed wide. On 69 Connell sliced a clearance but Martindale was on hand to clear, then on 70 Baxter put in a good cross which Pearson did well to clear from the danger.

On 75 Chandler had two attempts his first was blocked by Connel and from the rebound his shot hit the post and went clear. On 77, Dan smith got in a header from a Harrison free kick but it went just wide of the target. Gateshead rallied again on 86 as Kanda unchallenged headed a Dean Briggs cross over the bar. On 87 in what proved to be the last chance of the game Harrison won the ball in front of the Gateshead box his lay off to Burrell was shot just over the cross bar.


Final score Dunston 0 Gateshead 2
This was an entertaining and enjoyable game for both spectators, 440 through the gates, and the players as both sides committed themselves, on this performance Dunston and their new signings are looking good , although there is always room for improvement which can be ironed out in the up-coming games and training sessions.

Dunston UTS: Connell (Cpt), Pearson, Halliday, Hodgson (Martindale, 46), Wilkinson, Gilhespy (Heslop, 46),
Briggs, Burrell (Clark, 69), Richardson (Bulford, 46), Morien, Smith (Wilson, 46).

Gateshead: Russell (MacDonald, 78), Baxter, Clark (Curtis, 46), Buddle, Pattison (Perry 66)  Ramsden (Chandler, 57), McLaughlin (Kanda, 80), Allen (Briggs, 66), Philips (Hailes 73) Gillies, Shaw (Ramshaw, 57).

Scorers: Phillips (9), Shaw (17)

Report By T.C.

Match Pictures ...HERE


Next Home Game.
Friendly No 2 - Dunston UTS vs Worksop Town on Saturday 18th July 1:30pm KO