Organised Marske deny luckless Dunston
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
In summary the game started well for Dunston, but they were surprised by the sharp shooting Woodhouse on 13 minutes and then totally dumbfounded by the long range free kick by Gott which knocked the heart out of their performance, the third Marske goal was another kick in the teeth as they tried to regain their composure. the second half was all Dunston but they were unable to break down the organised defence of Marske and when they did, Dean was on hand to save on all but one occasion. Dunston possibly deserved more but Marske took their chances well.
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.
Next Game.. 12th August, Dunston UTS v Shildon, Kick Off 7:30pm
Report by T.C
