Dunston FC v Ossett United - BetVictor Northern Premier N/Wes

Dunston FC v Ossett United
BetVictor Northern Premier N/West
Tuesday 20th August 2019.
Attendance 403

Dunston FC earned all three points against a very good Ossett United side in a hard earned 1-0 victory at The UTS Stadium on Tuesday night in front of a solid crowd of 403. An exceptional team performance was capped by a wonderful goal from in from Luke Page.

Scott Heslop replaced Dan Wright as Chris Swailes kept with the same formation of 3-5-2 which had been employed to good effect away to Marine last Saturday. Dunston ’ s first chance of the game fell to Heslop, a well timed tackle from Craig Scott on Ossett Utd winger Andrew Ijowole saw the defender pick out the striker who just dragged his shot narrowly wide. The step up in the quality of the opponents was evident. Ossett Utd were looking to close Dunston down quickly and harass the home side at every opportunity.

Liam Brooks had a great chance to put the hosts ahead on 10 minutes, Luke Page sprang a counter attack and his pass was cushioned by the head of Scott Heslop into the path of Mark Fitzpatrick, his shot was blocked and Liam Brooks followed up, however his half volley failed to hit the target. The game had seen plenty of aerial challenges and had been played at a rapid pace, Ossett Utd looking to spring the ball over the top to their on running forwards had been met by an indomitable Dunston defence.

Both sides were evenly matched in the opening 30 minutes. When Dunston kept the ball on the deck with their close and patient passing game, Ossett Utd seemed to be less comfortable. However breaking down the Ossett Utd back line was proving to be an obstacle as the visitors looked to be a well organised defensive unit. The game had seen few clear cut chances, Ossett had their best chance of the game with a close range effort which was seemingly destined for the bottom corner only for Dunston keeper Karl Dryden to impressively stretch down low and palm away the ball A loose pass at the back from Dan Capewell could ’ ve resulted in calamity, as Ijowole picked up the stray ball before curling his effort just shy of the top corner. The winger was to find himself in the referees book moments later for a late and rash challenge, possibly bore from the frustration of having been well marshalled by Craig Scott and Dan Halliday throughout the first half. Dunston had good chances to take the lead going into the break, Craig Scott lofted an excellent ball into the 6 yd box, Heslop went up to challenge as Ossett Utd keeper Brett Souter could only punch the ball away, the ball fell to Michael Pearson on the edge of the box, his rising effort just going over the crossbar.

A Liam Marrs cross picked out Heslop at the back post, his headed effort just wide. Souter was alert to palm away a Mark Fitzpatrick effort just before the break as the two sides went into half time level in what had been an even, engrossing and well fought first half. HT 0-0 After the break Heslop went close with an effort just wide of the post having created the effort himself as Ossett struggled to clear their lines. Luke Page saw his volley go agonisingly wide following a corner as Dunston applied pressure in the opening stages of the second half. Dunston ’ s pressure eventually paid off on 57 minutes; Luke Page went on a marauding run through the middle, unchallenged he played a perfectly weighted pass out wide to Liam Brooks who played a first time ball across the box to find Pages ’ continued run. The midfielder controlled and drilled his effort into the bottom corner to give the home side the lead. Looking to get back into the game Ossett Utd winger Ijowole fired an effort at goal, Dryden easily collecting the ball.

The Dunston keeper needed to be alert moments later to prevent an overhead kick from finding the back of the net. Dan Halliday was to clear a dangerous phase of passing around the Dunston box for a corner as their opponents pushed for an equaliser. Dunston were back in numbers and defending well as a team to prevent Ossett United getting back into the game. Grant- Soulsby, Scott and Capwell forming a impregnable back line. The final stages of the encounter were a fine display of grit and determination from the home side.

Ossett had good chances to draw level with substitute Nicolas Guest flashing an effort just wide of the post and mis-hitting a curling effort wide of the goal. Mark Fitzpatrick saw his well struck shot palmed away by Souter, Luke Page displaying great technique to turn his marker and play the ball down the line to the forward. Ossett pushed as many up as they could in search of the equaliser, Dunston as a defence were in no mood to share points. Right at the end substitute Callum Smith, marked by two Ossett United players, twisted and turned to send in a wonderful cross to Dan Wright, his headed effort going just wide of the upright.

Full time: Dunston FC - 1 (Luke Page 57 ’ ) Ossett United - 0

In a game of full on entertainment, Dunston FC just had the edge over their opponents. The work rate to a man was outstanding. The step up in the quality of this seasons opponents, based on our last two games is evident. Ossett Utd were a well organised side and Dunston had to work hard in all departments to take maximum points.

Dunston UTS FC Supporters Club Man of the Match: Luke Page.

Dunston FC team: Dryden, Marrs, Halliday (C), Pearson, Grant-Soulsby (Wright) Capewell, Craig Scott, Page, Fitzpatrick, Heslop, Brooks (Smith)