Dunston 3
3
Heslop (31', 45'), Cooper (64' og)
4 Trafford
4
Salmon (26' pen, 56'), Davidson (59'), Palma (80')
Dunston FC v Trafford FC
19/10/2019
Dunston FC vs Trafford FC
BetVictor Northern Premier N/West.
Attendance 252
Final score Dunston FC - 3 Trafford FC - 4.
Report by Dan Whalen
Dunston FC were shocked and deeply saddened by the news that former Club Legend Keith Mills had sadly passed away. Keith Mills will forever be remembered as a genuine Dunston Fed Legend, having represented the club with distinction during the 1990’s. A tough player on the park but a true gentleman off the pitch. Dunston FC would like to express their deepest sympathies and condolences to Keith Mills family and friends.
Dunston FC were left frustrated as visitors Trafford left a rain drenched UTS Stadium with all three points in a 7 goal thriller. Trafford had taken the lead from the penalty spot on 26 minutes, somewhat against the run of play. A defensive miscommunication in the box resulted in a Trafford player going down under a Craig Scott challenge. Connor Salmon stepped up confidently to convert with Niall Harrison going the wrong way. Scott Heslop drew the home side level three minutes later, Luke Page playing the ball out wide to Jack Elliott, the tricky winger displayed his skills to get past the Trafford full back before dribbling towards the byline, his pull back was ferociously hammered into the roof ofthe net by Heslop from inside the six yard box.
Picture by Ken Fitzpatrick
Heslop put Dunston 2-1 up on the stroke of half time, Captain Dan Halliday delivered a low cross into the box from an advanced position high up the pitch, Heslop swivelled well inside the box, although his effort lacked any real power, his shot squirmed underneath the body of the Trafford keeper. However, despite going into the break ahead, Dunston managed to surrender their lead within 12 minutes of the restart with Trafford scoring twice in the space of three minutes, Connor Salmon managed to get on end of a cross and rise well in between two Dunston defenders and loop his header over Niall Harrison and into the net to draw the two sides level.
Moments later Ross Davidson fired a spectacular 30 yard effort in off the underside of the crossbar as the ball fell kindly to him. Despite Dunston looking the better side in the first half it was Trafford who came out in the second half with far more purpose and intent. Dunston drew level 5 minutes later as Trafford keeper Cooper made a hash of a Callum Smith cross, played deep towards the back post, the keeper struggled to gain a solid grip on the ball under the wet conditions and managed only to fumble the ball into his own net.
Trafford regained the lead on 80 minutes, despite the conditions the visitors played the ball well around the box with some precise link up play, the ball was played out to substitute Darius Palma in a wide position and was afforded too much time and space as he curled his effort from the edge of the box and nestle the ball into the opposite corner of the net. Dunston were unable to respond as Trafford managed to defend out the remainder of the game and complete a League double over Dunston.
Picture by Ken Fitzpatrick
The result sees Dunston remain second bottom of the table, although they have several games in hand, there are concerns creeping in that despite the optimism at the start of the season, this seasons campaign maybe harder than anticipated. The results against Dunston this season have frustratingly been by a single goal, a superb run in The Emirates FA Cup has arguably hampered Dunston’s ability to put a run together in the league, however Dunston need to convert their games into maximum points.
They will have to wait until the beginning of November to get the chance to put points on the board with a home fixture against Widnes. In the meantime Dunston travel to Sunderland RCA during mid-week in The Durham Challenge Cup and face Gainsborough Trinity at home next Saturday in The FA Trophy.
Dunston line-up: Harrison, Marrs, Halliday (C), Pearson, Capewell, Craig Scott, Jack Elliott (Thear), Page, Fitzpatrick, Heslop (Cedwyn Scott), Smith. Subs not used: Callum Elliott, Grant-Soulsby, Brooks.
Dunston UTS FC Supporters Club Man of Match awarded to Scott Heslop.
Scott Heslop is kindly sponsored by:-
(Home kit) Ian McPherson
(Away kit) Protection Installation Services Ltd
(recovery kit). Riley Davison.
Match pictures can be viewed HERE
