Weakened Dunston overpowered by eager Shildon.

13th February 2016
EBAC Northern League
Shildon 5 Dunston UTS 0
Att 236

Dunston were on their travels again in the EBAC Northern League against league leaders Shildon at Dene Street, Shildon. Dunston were without several first choice players in, Liam Connell, Adam Wilkinson, Dan Halliday, Dale Burrell all injured, Scott Martindale still suspended and Stephen Harrison working and had to name a back four of which three players were playing out of position. Shildon named a strong squad but were missing Connor (injured) from their forward line.
.
Dunston started well and created chances through Francis on 3, Richardson on 7 and a Matty Fisher corner which struck the front post and bounced clear, Shildon main threat was Bell who was constantly running at a resolute Dunston defence and the foraging and dangerous Rae who was creating chances which were being curtailed by Clark and other defenders.
.
Dunston put in a creditable first 40 minutes and could have went ahead on 35, when Morien shot from 20 yards as the ball struck both posts before bouncing clear with Hayes beaten, however on 42 minutes Shildon took the lead as Rae was played in and shot wide of Clark and into the far corner of the net.
.
Half Time Score Shildon 1 Dunston 0
.
After half time Shildon applied more pressure as Bell had a shot stopped by Clark only for the ball to rebound to Rae who tapped home on 49, Dunston suffered another setback as Dan Smith, one of Dunston stalwarts in the game, was taken off after carrying an injury from the first half. Shildon piled on more pressure and on 58 went further ahead as Wood had a point blank shot parried by Clark only for Dodds to be on hand to poke home from 5 yards. Pressure was slightly relieved as Morien again had a shot saved by Hayes and then a Morien header back across goal was well collected by Hayes.
.
On 71, Clark was unable to hold the high greasy ball from a corner kick and unfortunately the ball fell to Wood who poked the ball home from 5 yards. Again Morien had a free-kick punched clear by Hayes on 72, before Harwood broke into the Dunston area and shot point blank at Clark from 10 yards only for the ball to rebound to Harwood who put a slight chip into the net past the grounded Clark after 73 minutes. Shildon still pressed for more but Dunston held out to the end.
.
Final Score: Shildon 5 Dunston UTS 0
.
Despite the score line Dunston put in a hard graft, without key players in the team, unfortunately the injuries were added to and more changes will have to be made if the game goes ahead on Tuesday against Penrith.
.
Dunston’s Man of the Match : Malcolm Morien – battled well all game and deserved a goal in the first half but gained little reward for his efforts throughout the game. Andy Clark also deserved a lot of credit despite the goals scored against he pulled off some important saves a few of which led to easy tap-ins for the eager Shildon forwards.
.
Shildon: Hayes, Groves, Robson, Dodds, Moore, Jones, Bell, Hodgson, Rae (Gruelich-Smith 69), Wood (Fryatt 73), Harwood (Wing 70). Subs not used: Davis, Ellison.
.
Dunston UTS : Clark A, Smith (Clark J 53), Shaw, Fisher, Pearson, Gilhespy, Guerin, Francis, Richardson, Morien, Bowey. Subs not used: Clark J, Greenwood, Thear,
Luaba.
.
Referee, Matthew Dicicco, Assistants, Jamie Cann and Jonathan Woods
. 
Report by T.C.