Dunston UTS 1 Whitley Bay 0

Dunston Get winner against resilient Whitley...

22nd August 2015
Northern League Division One
Dunston UTS 1
Whitley Bay 0

Dunston entertained Whitley Bay at a Dunston UTS Stadium in their second home game of the season, Dunston are on a winning trail of 4 games scoring 18 goals without a goal being scored against them, Whitley have also started reasonably well with one win and a draw in the league but drew in the FA cup before winning the replay by the odd goal in 5 against Ryhope CW in time added on. Dunston named an unchanged side for the game but are without Malky Morien on the bench. The Whitley side is captained by former Dunston player Michael Laws.

Dunston started the first half strongly as Bulford was played in by Halliday he pulled the ball back across the Whitley goal area and was cleared by Laws, on 7 Francis played in a free kick which was off target. Play seemed to be getting strangled in midfield as Whitley closed down the Dunston midfielders restricting forward movements.

 

On 12 Pearson got in a cross into the area and Jennison was able to collect. 3 minutes later, Halliday put in a deep cross to the far post Smith headed under challenge and again Jennison was able to collect. In the 20th minute Whitley got their first opportunity from a dubious offside decision, even the Whitley players stopped, but no flag came and Connell saved from Laws with his legs, the ball then bobbled around the area before being cleared by by Gilhespy for a throw in.

On 26, Kempster was played into the area by Bertram, Kempster went past the out--‐rushing Connell however his final shot went wide of the near post. Dunston came back on 32 as Bulford was played in by Pearson on the right, Bulfords cross in to Richardson was adjudged to be offside.  On 36, Francis was cautioned for a foul and the resulting free kick resulted in a header from Shanks which Connell collected. On 37 a Whitley corner was deflected out of the area to Hughes who shot high over the bar. On 40 Briggs beat Day on the left and clear through on the keeper who spread his body and stopped Briggs' shot.

A minute later Halliday played a good ball through to Bulford which was just too strong and Jennison was able to come to the edge of his box and collect. As halftime approached the hard working Burrell unleashed a 25 yard shot punched clear by Jennison.

Half time score 0‐0.

Dunston started strong again in the second half, and a free kick was played into the area and cleared. On 47, Bulford put in a low cross towards Richardson which was cut out and cleared by Day as Richardson was about to pounce. Dunston continued to pres as Whitley continued to work hard and restrict chances, on 56, Francis played a free kick hard and low into the area which was cleared for a corner, on 58, Smith headed on a ball on to Bulford who shot wide of the near post from 20 yards.

After a blatant obstruction left Halliday on the ground the ball was played through to Kempster, whose cross was was cleared by the Dunston defence. On 62, Goss was played in behind the Dunston defence on the right wing Connell rushed wildly out of his area and fouled Goss, fortunately for Connel the referee only awarded a caution, the resulting free kick was stopped by Wilkinson in the six yard area and Pearson was able to hook the ball clear of trouble.

Rebuilding their confidence Dunston were again pushing forward as Smith beat his marker and played a low cross in to the goal were Jennison saved. On 70, Francis played in a corner and Wilkinson header just wide of the target, on 71, Goss beat Gilhespy and shot the rebound fell again to Goss and his second shot was again blocked and cleared. Dunston again attacked on the right only for Laws to pull back Richardson as he sped past him, Laws was cautioned and from the resulting free kick played short inside to Burrell resulted in a block which went for a corner. On 73 Pearson played a low cross towards Thear whose shot was deflected for a corner. 

On 80 minutes, Bertram played in a shot which was stopped by Connell and then cleared for a throw in. 2 minutes later Francis had a shot saved by Jennison, within a minute Dunston got what was to be the deciding goal as Bulford played a header back across goal where it was cleared as far as Burrell who played it back into the melting pot, Bulford met it controlled it with his first touch and unleashed a shot over Jennison and into the top corner of the net.

Dunston controlled the remaining time until the 2nd minute of added on time when Goss broke on the right and pulled a ball across to Kempster who returned the ball to Goss whose shot was blocked and the ball was collected by Connell, this was to be the last chance of the game. Dunston beat old foes and past vase winners in a difficult game as Whitley set their team to contain an active Dunston midfield, however the strength of the sides resolve
still created chances which where however limited by the Whitley defence, Whitley bay to their credit also produced some chances and they too found the strong Dunston defence and were also limited in scoring opportunities,

The goal was however justified as the Whitley side would have settled for a hard earned draw, but did not create enough in front of goal, except for the front running of Kempster and substitute Goss.

Full Time, Dunston UTS 1 Whitley Bay 0



Dunston Man of the Match: Dale Burrell‐Dale was influential in his role today both in defence and when able to push forward, he was the perfect foil for the closely marked Francis was was available to keep the Dunston side pushing forward.

In defence Wilkinson and Gilhespy held strong for most of the game limiting any Whitley chances, however upfront the forwards although working hard were held by a resilient Whitley defence, Andy Bulfords' goal was a golden opportunity which he dispatched and continued Dunston's run of winning games.

Dunston UTS: Connell, Pearson, Halliday, Burrell, Wilkinson, Gilhespy, Smith (Thear 81), Francis, Richardson (Wilson 84), Bulford, Briggs (Hodgson 81). Subs not used: Clark,

Martindale.

Whitley Bay: Jennison, Day, McDonald, Anderson, Laws, Flynn, Hughes, Bertram, Shanks (Goss 58) Gibson, Kempster. Subs not used: Gladstone, Young, Buzzeo, Norris.

Attendance 266

Referee.. J. Mulligan
Assistants.. R. Halliday, K. Stevenson.

Match Pictures Can Be Viewed HERE

Next Game: Dunston UTS v Washington, League, Tuesday 25 August 2015, 7:30 pm KO.

Report by T.C.