Help Dunston make history – Mcdonald

JON Mcdonald has called on the North East football community to take Dunston UTS one step closer to club history as they host Pontefract Collieries in the Northern Premier League East play-off semi-final tonight,

The two clubs went into their final games of the league season on Saturday knowing they would face off in the play-offs no matter what their respective results were.

However, Dunston had the upper hand when it came to securing a home tie as they knew they would host the Colls if their result at Stocksbridge Park Steels matched Pontefract’s in their visit to Newton Aycliffe.

Both sides could take only a point from their fixtures and that means the UTS Stadium will host only its third game in nine weeks after an ongoing pitch battle and dispute with the league forced Mcdonald’s side to play ‘home’ fixtures elsewhere.

Now, as his side aim to take a step closer to a historic promotion, Mcdonald wants the local community to roar his side into Saturday’s East Division play-off final.

He told The Chronicle: “The objective ahead of Saturday was to match Pontefract’s result – they drew and we drew so it’s a home semi-final and we are delighted with that. We had to go full throttle because we knew we could have to win the game.

“We hope the local community backs us and can become that

12th man. Dunston has a team to be proud of here.

“A good following coming through the gates and backing us during the game will be our 12th man and that could help us get over the line in what is a big game for the club where we can get into the Premier Division for the first time in our history.”

Stockton Town are one of the potential final opponents for Dunston should they come through their Pontefract test.

The Anchors narrowly missed out on the title as Hebburn Town’s late charge saw them top the table and condemn Michael Dunwell’s men to the play-offs for a third consecutive season. Their bid to make it third time lucky starts with a semi-final home tie against Carlton Town tonight.

Elsewhere, Whitley Bay make the short trip to visit Northern League Division One rivals Newcastle Benfield, and North Shields visit Sunderland RCA.