Dunston’s faint hope of reaching the play-offs were extinguished at home by a resolute and defensively solid Tadcaster Albion. A 2-1 away win for “The Brewers” lifting them safely away from any danger of dropping into the relegation play-off place. 

After last weekend’s heavy defeat away to Stocksbridge Park Steels, Swaz made 5 changes to his side, Richard Coulson failing a late fitness test and Sado Djalo having returned to Blyth Spartans following the end his loan. 

The hosts had the Lions’ share of chances and possession in the opening 30 minutes, Fowler having the first flash at goal, a good turn and shot pushed away well by Fisk in the Tadcaster goal. 

Jack Elliott, who was deployed in a more central position, flashed an effort wide, having been set up by Ursene Mouanda. 

Fowler saw his goal-bound free kick on the edge of the box pushed away by Fisk whilst Jake Turnbull’s dangerous deliveries from wide were keeping the visitors defence on their toes.  

Fowler had a great chance to open the scoring, his header at the back post just wide of the upright. Dunston had started the opening 30 playing some attractive passing football and their pressure eventually paid off as they took the lead on 32 minutes through Craig Baxter venomously drilling the ball home from inside the box, Jack Elliott teeing him up, following a low driven delivery from Jake Turnbull.  

However, Dunston’s lead was fleeting, from a free kick right on the edge of the box, Kieran Burton rose well above the Dunston defence to accurately power his header in on off the post and beyond a static Connell. The hosts lead frustratingly lasting all of 5 minutes.

Tadcaster took the lead just before the stroke of half time, from a Dunston corner Taddy broke away through Des Amponsah, racing away from inside his own half, and with acres of space ahead of him, he out-muscled a stranded Jake Turnbull, keeping his balance and composure, he rounded the on-rushing Connell to tap into an empty net.

The away side defended doggedly and in great numbers deep in their own half throughout the second half, an 8-1-1 formation preventing the hosts from creating little in the way of clear cut chances on goal.

Dunston continued to try and play the ball on the deck, hampered by a bobbly pitch, whilst the visitors allowed their opponents to come at them and attempt to capitalise on any chance of catching them on the break. Had it not been for the composure of Terry Galbraith at the back that tactic could have proved an effective one.

As second half chances to level went, Fowler, who endured a frustrating afternoon as he was man marked throughout, produced a good turn to lose his marker having linked up with a ball from Jack Elliott, his effort from the edge of the box palmed away by Fisk, the on-loan Hull City youngster alert all the way through the game to any danger.

Baxter flashed an effort wide of the upright, Fowler unselfishly picking out his overlapping run having combined well with Elliott’s surging run through the middle.

Corey Roper had a chance to extend Tadcaster’s lead, a rasping effort from long range, as Michael Hall’s clearance fell to him unmarked on the edge of the box, his effort fired high over the Dunston goal.

Dunston made a double substation with 10 minutes to go, Swaz electing to bring on Lee Mason and Liam Thear for Jake Stafford and Jake Turnbull, the changes did little to alter the result, Mason’s tame back-heal from a Baxter cross easily taken by keeper in the final minutes.

There was late drama in the final minutes as the referee sent off Craig Baxter and then Michael Fowler, both for second bookable offences.

A 4th loss in 5 games for Chris Swailes’ side has left many Supporters, who to their absolute credit have been exceptional throughout this season, feeling understandably disappointed with Dunston’s failure to reach the play-offs and mount a serious bid on promotion this season, particularly given the optimism and additions to the side which at the start had promised so much. 

Dunston travel to Pontefract Collieries next Saturday before their final home game of the season with a local derby against Hebburn Town on Easter Monday.

Dunston UTS FC Man of the Match, as voted for by the days match day sponsors Incognito, awarded to Terry Galbraith.

Match day photography courtesy of Beauty Time Photography

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