DUNSTON SQUEEZE PAST WEST
West Auckland Town v Dunston UTS looked a promising fixture for the opening day of the new league season.
Both will probably be there or thereabouts at the top of the first division come the end of the season, but this game didn’t quite live up to the billing.
Dunston looked more match sharp and their passing and pace was a step above the hosts.
They had more chances than West and the quality of the chances was better too. A combination of failing to hit the target and some excellent saves by West keeper Shane Bland kept the game close. It should have been more comfortable for the Tynesiders.
It was a patchy performance for West. It was about 20 minutes into the game before they knocked the ball around with any degree of fluidity and last season’s Division One top goal scorer Nathan Fisher didn’t get many opportunities in front of goal.
Bland’s first save of note was in the 27th minute when a Andrew Grant-Soulsby header from a corner was instinctively saved by the West No. 1. Dunston’s Liam Thear had two efforts within a couple of minutes. He hit the first straight at Bland in the 35th minute and then two minutes later he forced him to punch a better shot away.
In the opening 10 minutes of the second half Michael Pearson came within inches of connecting with a cross when clear in front of the West goal, Grant-Soulsby screwed a volley wide and a Dan Halliday header was well saved by Bland.
Dunston sub Jordan Nellis should have found the target in the 78th minute. His first shot was parried by Bland and his second shot was blocked by Michael McKeown with a well timed sliding interception close to the goal line. They finally got their noses ahead when Mark Fitzpatrick converted a penalty after Daniel Parker was judged to have handled the ball in the box.
For all of their chances, West could easily have got an equaliser with eight minutes to go when Halliday deflected an Amar Purewal shot, almost putting it past Karl Dryden in the Dunston goal, but the keeper’s quick reactions meant he got a foot to the ball to keep it out. It was the last meaningful action of the match.
Like the Cleator Cup, Dunston were wasteful in front of goal, but at least they’re creating the chances. At times West lacked cohesion. It’s work in progress for them.
West Auckland Town 0 Dunston UTS 1 – Ebac Northern League Division One
Mike Snowdon