27th July 2019

J.R. Cleator Cup/Charity Shield

Dunston UTS v West Auckland

Match report by: Danny Whalen.

Dunston claim their first trophy of the season with a convincing win over West Auckland Town.  Dunston were crowned winners of The JR Cleator Cup and claimed their third trophy in three seasons with a deserved 2-0 victory at The UTS Stadium over West Auckland Town.

Two goals in the second half  from Mark Fitzpatrick and Liam Brooks secured the win. Dunston were without key players for this game but a solid defensive display limited West’s chances throughout the game.

After a fairly equal first half the deadlock was eventually broken on 59 minutes, a superbly executed diagonal ball from Liam Marrs from deep inside his own half found Luke Page who was to rise above the West Auckland defence and head the ball through to Mark Fitzpatrick, the centre forward was to make no mistake as he finished from close range.

Liam Brooks curled an audacious effort from the edge of the box into the top corner of West’s goal on 84 minutes;  in Spain they describe such goals as “Onde dorme a coruja,” or where the Owl sleeps. Brooks’ fine strike secured the win and In the absence of Dan Halliday, Michael Pearson was handed with the responsibility of lifting the JR Cleator Cup much to the applause of the home crowd faithful.

After the game Dunston UTS Manager Chris Swailes said “It  was a hard fought game but I thought we were the better side  throughout the game. We took our goals well and deserved the win. Defensively we were solid and Karl Dryden had little to do. We always looked good on the attack and as long a we took our chances we were always in with a chance of winning the game. Liam’s Brooks’ finish at the end capped off the day”.

Final score: Dunston UTS FC - 2 (Fitzpatrick 59’ Brooks 84’) West Auckland Town - 0.

Ben Sherwood, Chris Errington, manager Chris Swailes and Nikki Brown with the J.R. Cleator Cup

Attendance: 197

Dunston UTS FC with the JR. Cleator Cup

Dunston UTS FC Supporter’s Club Man of the Match: Craig Scott.