Star stand tall, but UTS come away with points
SEAHAM RED STAR 0 DUNSTON UTS 2
DUNSTON UTS continued their impressive unbeaten streak in Northern League Division One after edging past a valiant Seaham Red Star.
UTS took the lead, against the run of play, just before the half-hour mark after Jack Elliott slotted into the bottom corner.
The hosts gave a good account of themselves, after their heavy defeat the week before, and had a goal ruled out just before half-time.
Dunston wrapped up the points late in the game as Jake Stafford received the ball off Cieran Jackson, in the penalty area, before sliding the ball under the ‘keeper.
The visitors will be looking to continue their fine run as they face West Auckland Town at home next weekend, while Seaham have a two-week break until their next fixture.
The Star come into the game having conceded seven goals against Consett last weekend, but the hosts started on the front foot at the Ferguson Motor Repairs Stadium.
David Robinson went close inside the opening five minutes before The Star forced Dunston ‘keeper Karl Dryden into making a great save on 13 minutes.
Liam Mcnamara drove out from the back and played the ball up to Dan Wilson, who nutmegged the defender before his shot was pushed wide by the ‘keeper. Dunston’s first opening was on 21 minutes as Liam Brooks struck narrowly wide, but the hosts continued in search of an opener, threatening the league-leaders.
Anthony Myers’ brilliant long-range effort was matched by an even better save before Liam Gillesphey’s acrobatic strike went inches wide.
Against the run of play, the visitors broke out from the back and took the lead.
Seaham’s corner at the other end was cleared and UTS countered effectively.
Mark Fitzpatrick helped the ball on to Elliott, who took it in his stride before producing a composed finish past Andy Hunter.
Seaham thought that they had found an equaliser on the stroke of half-time, but Wilson’s goal was ruled out for a handball.
Robinson’s rasping strike looked to be heading into the top corner on 55 minutes, but swirved narrowly wide, finding the side-netting.
Elliott, Fitzpatrick and Jordan Nellis threatened to double Dunston’s lead after the hour mark, but the hosts stood strong and went in search of an equaliser.
The points were wrapped up for the league-leaders though seven minutes from time, when Stafford played a neat one-two with Cieran Jackson, in the penalty area, and struck across and into the bottom corner.
SEAHAM RED STAR: Hunter, Lowrie (Hetherington), Weldon, Myers (Chilton), Mcnamara, Donnelly, Gillesphey (Johnson), Gardiner, Wilson, Robinson, Weirs Not Used: Hodgson, Young DUNSTON UTS: Dryden, Marrs, Halliday (Nellis), Stafford, Grant-soulsby, Capewell, Bexton (C.elliott), Haley, Fitzpatrick, Brooks (Jackson), J.elliott Not Used: Harrison