Dunston, in 9th, travel to Pontefract Collieries, currently 12th, in their penultimate away game of the 2021/22 Pitching-In Northern Premier League East Division season.

The two sides last met back in in August, with Dunston, who trailed after 0-1 after 26 minutes to a Mikey Dunn goal, before eventually coming out on top in a resounding 4-1 win, with goals from Michael Pearson, Scott Heslop, Jack Elliott and an own goal from Callum Brook.

Chris Swailes sides faint chance of reaching the play-off’s were ended last weekend, losing 1-2 at The UTS Stadium to Tadcaster Albion; despite the hosts dominating position for large swathes of the game.

Having collected only 3 points from their last 5 fixtures, a strong finish in their final 3 games will provide some much needed optimism ahead of next season. 3 wins from 3 could see them finish as high as 7th, in their first fully completed season as a step 4 club.

Conversely Pontefract have been in good form, collecting 8 points from their last 5 games and winning their last two fixtures, their only defeat coming away to promotion hopefuls Stockton Town. Their form easily removing them from any danger of getting dragged into the play-off relegation spot.

Speaking to Dunston UTS FC Assistant Manager Jon McDonald ahead of the game he said:

“Saturday is an important game for us. It’s the start of the final week of the season, we have 3 games remaining and we want to finish the season strong”

“In my opinion, last weekend’s game epitomised our season so far. I thought the performance from the lads was good, we dominated the second half, both in terms of possession and creating multiple chances, but in football there isn’t a column for that when you look at the league table, and once again we gifted the opposition their goals, which is frustrating.

He added…

“It’s only us as a group who can put that right, and I know we will. Our focus going into the next 3 games is to finish with as many points as possible. We are all determined to have a positive Easter weekend”.

Dunston will be without both top scorer Michael Fowler and experienced defender Craig Baxter, the pair serving a 1 match suspension following dismissals in last weekend’s encounter. Sado Djalo's loan deal from Blyth Spartans expired earlier in the month, however Swaz’s side could be boosted by the return of Richard Coulson, who should be available having hopefully recovered from injury.

Match highlights from our previous meeting:

CLICK HERE

Match report from our previous meeting:

CLICK HERE