League leaders’ three points Dun and dusted
DUNSTON UTS displayed all of the drive and determination that has led them to the top of the Division One table as they secured an invaluable three points at fellow title contenders Consett.
Chris Swailes’ side came out on top in a pulsating game as both sides produced some scintillating football.
It was the hosts that drew first blood just before the quarter-hour mark thanks to a stunning 30-yard effort from Matty Cornish.
It wouldn’t be the last goal-of-theseason contender that the Belle View faithful would witness. The lead lasted just 10 minutes as Mark Fitzpatrick got the visitors back on level-terms from the penalty-spot after Scott Heslop was fouled in the hosts’ area.
Consett rallied and came close to restoring their lead just after the halfhour mark when Aksel Juul smashed a powerful, long-range effort against the crossbar.
The Steelmen did get back in front on 37 minutes as new signing Nick Allen introduced himself to the home support by coolly sending the ball past Karl Dryden from 12 yards to give his side a lead at half-time.
Whatever Chris Swailes said in the visitors’ dressing-room clearly had an impact because Dunston grasped the initiative from the moment the secondhalf got under way.
Fitzpatrick wasted a golden chance to restore parity four minutes after the restart when he smashed a rising drive over the bar from just inside the area.
An equaliser looked inevitable and it finally arrived on 53 minutes as Liam Marrs curled a sublime free-kick over the wall and beyond Consett keeper Kyle Hayes.
Dunston went in front for the first time on the hour-mark with another wonderful goal to add to the growing collection this game was providing.
This time it was Scott Heslop’s turn to produce a goal of the highest calibre as he sent a powerful effort that left Hayes grasping at thin air.
Chances came and went as the intensity of the game refused to subside.
Luke Carr came within the width of a post of getting the hosts back on levelterms when he struck the woodwork with a low drive.
There was to be a clincher for Dunston as they settled any nerves, albeit it with some help from the unfortunate Amar Purewal.
With seven minutes left, a ball was headed into his own net by Steelmen defender Purewal.
It was the goal that sealed the win and ensured Consett continued a poor run of form that has seen them win just one of their last seven league games.
Dunston have a four-point lead at the top of the Division One table and they will be understandably full of confidence ahead of next weekend’s home derby against Whickham. Consett: Hayes, Green, Purewal, Mckinnon, Holden, Carr, Allen (Cassidy), Slocombe, Craggs, Cornish (Mackay), Juul Subs: Hawkins, Male, Lawrence, Cassidy Dunston UTS: Dryden, Marrs, Halliday, Stafford, Grant-soulsby (Scott), Capewell, J Elliott (Jackson), Pearson, Fitzpatrick, Heslop, Brooks (Nellis) Subs: C Elliott, Haley