8th placed Dunston travel to 7th placed Ossett United in The Pitching-In Northern Premier League East Division this coming Saturday. Level on games played, with only 3 points separating the two, both sides will be looking to push through the second half of the season in order secure a play-off place, come the end of the season.

Chris Swailes’ side will be at full strength, with no suspensions, Liam Thear and new signing Jake Turnbull have both trained this week and will be in contention to start. Dunston will be without the services of defender Callum Elliott, who has transferred to near neighbours Whickham FC.

Dunston will be looking to build on last weekend’s 2-0 home win at home to high flying Marske United. A thunderbolt from Jack Elliott secured a New Year’s Day moral boosting win, following a fine strike from the club’s latest signing Michael Fowler (pictured below), with the talented youngster commenting:

“It was a great team performance all around from back to front and I was delighted with the lads getting the 3 points after a tough few results”.

“Hopefully it’s given the lads confidence that we can go out and beat anyone”.  “I was brought in to fill in the missing piece of the puzzle up top, as that’s what the team has been lacking over the past weeks and hopefully it can be the start of a very good end to the season”.

Image courtesy of Beauty Time Photography: CLICK HERE

Speaking to Dunston UTS FC’s assistant Manager Jon McDonald

“We were delighted with the performance against Marske, it was difficult for both teams on a heavy pitch but to a man, the lads were outstanding”.

 “I thought we were the team in the ascendency in the second half and scored 2 excellent goals. A well worked move for the first, in which Ursene made a great run and cut back for Michael Fowler to finish confidently, and the second with Jack Elliott showing what he is capable of with a great run and finish”.

“It was an excellent team performance and we are delighted for the lads, they deserved it, for the hard work they have put in”.

 “We felt hard done by with the result at Hebburn Town, as we felt we created a host of chances in that game and deserved to take something from it too”.

Looking ahead to this weekend’s clash Jon said…

“We know it will be a tough test at Ossett United, another team, who like us, have aspirations to make the play offs. But we are confident that on our day, we are capable of beating any team in this division, our performance on New Year’s Day confirmed that”.

“What we must do, is ensure we show the same application, desire and quality that we did in that game. If we can, we are confident we can get 3 points”. 

Ossett United have made changes at Ingfield with Jas Colliver and Mark Ward replacing Wayne Benn in the management hot seat, Gary Middleton has been brought in as coach and the new look management team have wasted no time in bringing in a raft of new faces.  

Left sided defender Brad Beatson has arrived from Frickley Athletic, Josh MacIver has stepped up to the full team from the Under 18’s, Stuart Ludlam has arrived from Retford United along with the capture of Ifaenyi Ofoegbu from Grantham Town, the player marking his debut with a goal in Ossett United’s 1-0 win at home to local rivals Brighouse Town on New Year’s Day.

Departing Ingfield; Max Dearnley has been recalled by Huddersfield Town, Archie Whitfield and Reon Potts have both returned to York City, Marcel Chipamaunga has signed dual registration forms with Pinchbeck United, Cameron Clark has returned to Hemsworth MW and Tabish Hussain has made the decision to play his football elsewhere.

The two sides have met once already this season, Dunston emerging victorious in a 2-1 win at The UTS Stadium back in October, thanks to a brace from Liam Thear and a man of the match performance from Jake Stafford.

Match report and match highlights from that game can be viewed here:

Match report: CLICK HERE.

Match highlights: CLICK HERE

Dunston’s previous trip to Ingfield was back in September 2020, Chris Swailes’s side leaving with all three points in a closely contested 2-0 win, thanks in part to Mark Fitzpatrick’s opener and a spectacular long range effort from Scott Heslop.

Match highlights from that game can be viewed: CLICK HERE

Travel information:

Ossett United Ingfield Stadium, Prospect Road, Ossett, WF5 9HA

Expected journey time by car is 1hr 37 minutes distance 105 miles.

For any supporters travelling on the club coach.

Coach departs The UTS Stadium Saturday 8th January at 11:15.

£10 return

Entrance price at Ingfeld: Adults £9, Concessions £6, Under 16’s £2.