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9th August 2014. -
Northern League Div 1
Dunston UTS 1
Marske United 3
In the opening game of
the 2014/15 Season in the EBAC Northern League game
Dunston entertain Marske United. Marske finished last
season on a high beating Whitley Bay to win the League
Cup at St James Park the home of Newcastle United and
despite a positive start to the season finishing in 16th
position in the league. This season they ended their
build up to the season with a game against Spennymoor in
the Cleator Cup, which pairs the league champions
against the League Cup winners, unfortunately promoted
Spennymoor were too strong for them and it ended up 6 -
2 to Spennymoor.
Last seasons fixtures
between the teams ended with the home sides the victors
in two entertaining games. Dunston have had an
interesting close season and despite losing last seasons
captain Ben Cattenach (retired) and Lee McAndrew (left
for Spennymoor) have built up their squad introducing 5
new players Stephen Harrison, David Coulson and Dan
Halliday in defence, Craig Hodgson in midfield and Scott
Fenwick up front giving competition in all positions of
the team. Unfortunately Scott Fenwick is unavailable for
the opening game due to suspension, Chris Swailes is
still not 100%, Jack Burns injured and Johnny Wightman
is also unavailable.
On a
perfect looking pitch, a credit to groundsman John
Thompson and his helpers, and a perfect sunny day with a
cooling breeze brought the promise of a good game.
Dunston kicked off
with the breeze behind them and in the 2nd minute Kane
laid a ball off to Halliday whose shot was saved, 3
minutes later Kane picked a loose ball just in side the
Marske half and ran at the defence and only a late
sliding challenge playing the ball back to
Dean,prevented a shot. One minute later Kane again
crossed and Bulfords header was tipped over the bar,
then Dixon deflected the cross from the corner over the
crossbar. On 12 minutes Dan Wilson chased a through ball
and did well to get in a cross into Bulford whose
flicked shot went wide. Marske were gradually getting
into the game but Woodhouse really surprised everyone on
13 minutes as he picked up a loose clearance 18 yards
out and unleashed a screaming effort into the far top
corner of the net, Dunston were 1 - 0 down after a
reasonable start.
Wilson on 14 did well to turn in the box and shoot on
target but Dean was equal to it and saved. On 18, Davy
Coulson flicked a header from a throw in up in the air
and then was able to put another header on target which
Dean saved. On 21 minutes Marske were awarded a free
kick near the side line 40 yards out and Gott the Marske
skipper surprised the Dunston side and spectators by
playing a direct hit into the near post bottom corner
past a startled Connell for 2 - 0 to Marske. Dunston
were reeling after controlling the game they had lost
two goals without Marske really testing the defence.
On 23 Gott took another free kick from a similar
position but this time his effort was wide and high of
the target. 4 minutes later Owens for Marske tried a
half volley shot from 12 yards but it went high. Dunston
tried to regain control of the game but the organised
Marske defence were resolute and limited their chances,
on 39 Bulford fired a 35 yard free kick over the bar
before Johnston slid into a challenge in the Dunston
area and poked a low shot into the goal for 3 - 0 to
Marske. Dunston had another opportunity on 44 minutes as
an Ormston dribble into the box created an opening but
the stalwart defenders regrouped to block the shot.
Half
Time score: Dunston
0 Marske 3
The
second half started with Marske getting an early chance
as Owens was played in by Woodhouse but his shot went
wide across the goal. Dunston got their first chance on
50 minutes with a Bulford free kick which was saved by
Dean. On 54, Owens again won a challenge on the edge of
the area but his shot went wide across the Dunston goal.
On 57 Harrison had a free kick from 25 yards blocked and
cleared and from the long throw in which caused a panic
in the Marske 6 yard area the luckless Dunston side were
unable to force the ball home. On 58 Harrison had a shot
deflected for a corner, two minutes later Ormston played
a neat return pass with Dixon and shot just wide of the
near post. Marske were resilient and McDonald on 61 put
a shot wide of the Dunston goal.
Dunston pushing on
hard had an 20 yard effort from Hodgson saved by Dean on
65, but were finding it hard to breakdown the Marske
defence. On 77, Bulford was played in but could not turn
the ball goal wards, before Owens again had a shot which
went wide of the Dunston goal. On 79, Bulford dribbled
into the Marske area and his shot come low cross was
deflected off Wheatley into the net for an own goal to
Dunston, 3 - 1 to Marske, could Dunston get more?
Hodgson on 81 had a shot blocked, and on 85 Gary Shaw
cross saw Bulford just beaten to the header by the
defender. Dunston pressed on in the final minutes and a
Craggs fee kick was blocked by the wall before Steven
Shaw received a ball from Hodgson but his driven shot
was well saved by Dean. in the final minutes deep into
added on time Bulford got a header on target form a
Craggs cross and then Marske broke through with
Woodhouse whose shot was saved by Connell as the final
whistle blew.
Final Score Dunston 1
Marske 3
Dunston
Man of the Match: On difficult day for
forwards Dan Wilson stood up to the challenge
against the compact Marske defence to earn the award
but he lacked support on the second ball play.
Dunston UTS:
Connell, Harrison, Halliday (Craggs 86), Hodgson,
Gilhespy, Coulson, Ormston, Dixon (Cpt) (Shaw (G) 69),
Wilson, Bulford, Kane (Shaw(S) 55).
Subs not used: Clark,
Burrell
Marske United:
Dean, Hillerby, O'Sullivan, Johnston, Wheatley, Myers,
McDonald, Gott, Woodhouse, Owens (Johnson 82), Riley
(Butterworth 64). Subs
not used: Gamble, Collins, Hollingsworth.
Referees : S. Sugden, M.
Andrews, M. Gatiss
Attendance,
216
Click here for match pictures.
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