This Saturday, we head to Consett in a big, local clash, with both sides eyeing up promotion come the end of the season. This will be the first game for Dunston since Boxing Day's 2-1 win against Newton Aycliffe at The UTS Stadium.

Since then, the weather has dictated things with our away game at Hebburn Town postponed, as well as home fixtures against Belper Town and Sheffield FC. Despite the lack of games, Jon McDonald's men have managed to win their last five, scoring twelve goals and conceding just 2. 

The last defeat for Dunston came on October 14th, a 3-2 home defeat against North Ferriby United. However, only six games have been played since then.

Dunston currently sit in 7th place in the Pitching In Northern Premier League East table. 33 points have been won after 16 games and we remain just three points outside the play-offs with three, four, and five games in hand over every team in the division.

A win on Saturday could see Dunston climb back into the top five, but only if other results go our way.

THE OPPONENTS

Consett AFC are enjoying a very good season themselves so far which should make Saturday's encounter a very difficult test. They currently sit in third place on 38 points after 20 games. On Tuesday night, Consett came back from 1-0 down at Liversedge to win 2-1 courtesy of an 88th minute goal from Wil Shaw, and a 90th minute own goal from Joe Skarz.

Former Dunston man Jake Jensen made his debut off the bench for Consett on Tuesday night after leaving the club last week. 

Not only do Consett currently sit 3rd in the league table, but they also sit 3rd in the league's form guide having picked up 13 points from their last six games.

RECENT MEETINGS

The two sides last met in August at The UTS Stadium. The game ended 0-0 after a tight affair. Things were made even more difficult for Dunston after left-back Chris McDonald was shown a straight red card after 21 minutes.

Last season, Dunston were victorious in the home fixture against Consett with a 4-2 win on August 29th, 2022. Zak Atkinson put the visitors ahead after 14 minutes however, a strike from Sado Djalo levelled the game before Consett once again took the lead through Jake Orrell on 38 minutes. Djalo grabbed his brace one minute later to send the sides in level at the half-time break.

South Shields' loanee Will Jenkins gave Dunston the lead for the first time on the hour-mark, before second half substitute Liam Thear ensured the win for Dunston on 78 minutes, just four minutes after coming on.

It was a different story at Belle View Stadium last season when Consett ran out as 2-1 winner on a freezing cold afternoon in early January. A brace from Scott Fenwick had Consett leading 2-0. Carl Finnigan pulled one back with 18 minutes to go, but that proved to be just a consolation goal. Goalkeeper Dan Staples was also sent off in the 90th minute which led to Phil Turnbull going between the sticks for the final few minutes.

MATCH INFORMATION

The game kicks-off at 3:00pm on Saturday January 13th at Belle View Stadium - Belle View Stadium, Delves Lane, Consett, County Durham, DH8 7BF.

Adults (£10), Concessions (£7), U16 (£4)