Wednesday 16 September 2015

Benfield make Dunston work hard for victory

15th September 2015
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Dunston UTS 4

Newcastle Benfield 2

Dunston welcomed Newcastle Benfield to the Dunston UTS Stadium for the EBAC Northern League Division 1 game. Dunston need to recollect and get a victory and concentrate on their domestic league programme after a disastrous 5-2 defeat at Kendal Town in the FA Cup last Saturday despite controlling the first hour of the game. Benfield have not started the season well but have 2 wins and 2 draws from their opening fixtures but also had a home defeat against Bishop Auckland at the weekend. 
 
Manager Billy Irwin was very disappointed at Dunston’s’ performance at Kendal and will surely have some words to his team to improve on the 4 wins and 2 draws start to the season. Dixon and new signing Matty Fisher, from Washington, are available for selection.

Both Sides steadily worked their way into the game and after some half attempts Briggs on 4 minutes gave Dunston a much needed pick up as he ran through the Benfield defence onto a Halliday through ball and beat two players to poke a shot into the net past Cook 1- 0 to UTS. A minute later Morien put in a good cross but no-one was able to apply a finish, on 9, Morien headed wide from a Briggs cross, before Morien played in a low cross which Benfield keeper Cook collected.


 
Benfield steadily came into the game and on 12 Jones shot high and wide from 20 yards out. Dunston replied with Halliday laying off to Morien who shot wide of the target from 20 yards out. At the other end Brayson also shot wide from 20 yards out. Burrell back in his midfield role ran into the Benfield area and crossed to Pearson who was just unable to redirect his header on 16. A minute later Morien again played a one two with Richardson before shooting forcing Cook to one handed push the ball over the bar. Benfield working hard replied with Brayson dribbling into the box but shooting wide of the near post.
 
Brayson 4 minutes later turned and made space in the box, his shot forced Connell to save one handed before the ball was cleared. On 22 Scott went down the right wing for Benfield and tried to lob Connell only to see his effort go over the bar. A minute later in a good spell for Benfield Scorgie laid a ball off to Walker whose shot was blocked, then Brayson, 14 yards out, forced a save from a diving Connell on 27. Dunston got back in control on 33 as Briggs made a good run down the right and crossed but it was blocled and cleared, a minute later Burrell crossed towards Richardson but he was unable to apply direction on his effort.
 
On 34, a Halliday free kick was headed on by Richardson to Morien who returned it to Richardson whose 10 yard shot was blocked. Benfield cooled the Dunston spirit on 36 as a Convery corner was played into Slaughter who first touch half volleyed the ball home from 6 yards out, for 1-1. Dunston tried to regain their lead on 38 as Smith received a ball from Richardson, beat his marker before shooting just wide of the near post. On 40 minutes a Burrell cross was cleared before Gilhespy at the opposite end had to clear a Benfield cross for a corner

Half Time Score: 1-1
 
Dunston came out rejuvenated in the second half and were on the attack on 47 as Briggs played in a cross to the back post, Dan Smith bravely went in and headed the ball goalwards for Cook to Save receiving a blow to the head for his reward. On 49 Morien played into Richardson whose shot was blocked the rebound came back to him but his second effort was just past the far post.


 
A minute later Richardson chased a through ball into the Benfield box, but Cook was alert and came out to collect. In reply Scorgie also played a through ball which Connell came out smartly to collect and avert danger. On 55, Briggs was played in by Smith but his shot was saved by a diving Cook. On 57 Morien collected a ball 15 yards from goal and let loose a screaming volley past Cook and into the far corner of the Benfield net, 2-1 to UTS. 2 minutes later Richardson headed goalwards after Cook had failed to punch clear but Lancaster cleared off the line. On 65 Smith played in a good ball to Morien who in turn crossed to Richardson in front of goal 6 yards out who headed into the Benfield net for 3-1.
 
Dunston seemed to get complacent again as Benfield won a corner on 69 and failed to react to the quickly taken cross by Pilatos and an unmarked Hardy headed home from 4 yards out. On 73 Connell had to save a Walker effort from 18 yards out. Dunston regained the two goal advantage on 78, as Francis received a ball 20 yards out from Richardson and his chipped shot with back spin nestled in the Benfield net for 4-2.

 
Dunston then regained control in midfield and on 85 Halliday shot wide from 30 yards out. Benfield kept going to the end and on 89 as Turnbull crossed and Jones at the back post was just unable to direct his header, Dunston replied with a Thear cross into Francis who played to Richardson  who shot over the bar and then a Richardson cross ball pass to Francis who was just unable to control and direct his effort before the Referee blew the final whistle

Final Score: Dunston UTS 4  Newcastle Benfield 2

A nervous Dunston side worked hard to get into the game and helped by an early goal by Briggs which helped them settle but their final touch on the ball seemed to be letting them down, the Benfield equaliser on 36 minutes came as a shot in the arm after a lack lustre period in midfield. In the second half an opportunist goal by Morien on 57, gave them a lift followed by a well worked move ending in Richardsons header on 65. Dunston appeared to relax and again were reminded as an unchallenged Hardy headed home a Pilatos cross. A piece of Francis magic with a superb chip ended the scoring and giving Dunston a hard worked victory against a gallant Benfield side.

Dunston’s Man of the Match: Dan Smith – Dan worked hard in midfield giving support both in defence and attack. On a night as performances were marred by poor final ball giving away possession, Briggs, Burrell, Pearson and Halliday gave able support while Morien had to work hard for his efforts, alongside Richardson who were rewarded by scoring.

Dunston UTS: Connell, Pearson, Halliday, Burrell, Wilkinson, Gilhespy, Smith (Thear 66), Francis, Richardson, Morien (Dixon 80), Briggs (Fisher 82) Subs not used: Hodgson. Clark,

Newcastle Benfield: Cook, Convery, Lancaster, Slaughter, Turnbull, Paterson, Scott (Pilatos 54), Scorgie (Addison 68), Brayson ( Hardy 65), Walker, Jones. Subs not used Busby, McEwan.


Referee, Simon Clayton, Assistants, Jonathan Wood and Christopher Newton.

Attendance 176

Match Pictures Can be viewed here

Report by T.C.

Next Home Game.
EBAC Northern League - Dunston UTS vs Shildon on Saturday 22nd September 2015 7:30pm KO

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