Dunston boss ready to take on the Anchors

DUNSTON UTS manager Jon McDonald is excited by the prospect of facing Stockton Town in this afternoon’s Northern Premier League East play-off final.

Dunston progressed with a 2-0 home win on Tuesday night as a goal in each half from Dale Pearson and Richard Coulson saw off a Pontefract Collieries side reduced to 10 men by Jack Vann’s red card in the opening five minutes.

Intriguingly, the two league meetings between Dunston and Stockton have both ended in draws and that suggests a similarly tense affair will play out at Bishopton Road West.

Former North Shields manager McDonald is excited by the potential North East derbies with Blyth Spartans and Morpeth Town in nonleague’s third tier - but stressed his side will not look beyond a sizeable test on Teesside.

He told The Journal: “Having been involved in that league, there are some really big clubs and a step up in quality and it would be a fantastic achievement for our club to get in that Premier Division.

“That league will be brilliant with Blyth Spartans, a really big club, in there and then Morpeth Town and Hebburn Town too.

“There are huge stakes on Saturday but we respect Stockton massively. I am a big fan of Michael Dunwell and I think he’s done a fantastic job there.

“I would like to think there is a mutual respect between us - but we are going there to win the game, there is no doubt about that.

“It should be a really good game on Saturday and I am sure we are both looking forward to it.”

Stockton captain Adam Nicholson has backed his side to come through their Dunston test and secure a first ever promotion into the Premier Division..

The Anchors shook off the disappointment of missing out on the East Division title to North East rivals Hebburn Town last weekend to claim a place in the play-off final with a 2-0 home win of their own against Carlton Town in midweek.

After producing a dominant display in front of a stunning crowd of over 1,600, two goals from midfielder Glen Butterworth were enough to help Michael Dunwell’s side move to within 90 minutes of a place in club history.

Speaking ahead of the clash with their former Northern League rivals, Anchors skipper Nicholson believes there is little between the two squads - but insisted his side can come out on top and take the next step up the non-league pyramid.

He told the club website: “It’s quality, we’ve had some tight games against them over the years.

“There is not much between the sides but we would back ourselves on our pitch against anyone.

“They are a good side and they deserve to be where they were this year.

“Obviously they were fighting with us along the way and I think second versus third will make for a good final.”

I would like to think there is a mutual respect between us - but we are going there to win the game, there is no doubt about that Dunston UTS boss Jon McDonald