Dunston's excellent form continued on Saturday afternoon with a 4-0 demolition job against Cleethorpes Town at Consett's Belle View Stadium. 

Despite early chances for the visitors, Dunston raced into a 3-0 lead before half-time as Dale Pearson netted twice, whilst Jude Swailes also got his first goal for the club. Pearson added a fourth, and his third, on the hour-mark as Dunston's hopes for a top five finish were boosted again.

Jon McDonald made a couple of changes to the side that was victorious last Saturday against Belper Town. Jude Swailes and Luke Carr returned to the starting XI in place of Sado Djalo and JJ Chrisp who dropped to the bench.

With the game underway, the first chances fell to The Owls as Louis Boyd forced Dan Staples into an early save at the near post. From the resulting corner, defender Jordan Cooke climbed highest as he headed over the crossbar.

Dunston began to grow into the game and started playing the ball around nicely. After ten minutes, Luke Carr drilled an effort over the bar from outside the box. On 17 minutes, Cleethorpes again came close to taking the lead as Sam Kay forced Jude Swailes to clear the ball off the line. The ball fell to the feet of Curtis Bateson who drove a shot into the gloves of Staples.

With 21 minutes on the clock, it was Dunston who hit the front as Dale Pearson scored his fifteenth goal of the season. After a lovely one-two with David Robinson, Pearson kept his composure and placed the ball past Richardson from close-range.

Cleethorpes continued to pose a threat on the counterattack and they almost equalised instantly when Josh Walker was played in behind, but he dragged his effort wide across the face of goal. Louis Boyd and Alex Flett also came close as they both struck efforts high of the target.

On 38 minutes, Dunston landed another blow to their opponents as Jude Swailes scored his first goal for the club. Some tenacious play down the left by Jack Walker was rewarded when the centre back crossed the ball into the box for his playing partner, and Jude headed home into the bottom corner.

The clinical nature in front of goal continued as Dale Pearson scored his second goal of the game just before the half-time interval. Jack Maskell raced through on goal and unselfishly squared the ball to his attacking partner who walked the ball into the empty net.

The attacking intent from Dunston continued into the second half as Jon McDonald's men went searching for more goals. A teasing ball from Chris McDonald down the left evaded both Dale Pearson and Luke Carr by inches. Carr then tried his luck on 59 minutes as he drilled an effort over the crossbar after some slick attacking play.

One minute later, the three points were certainly wrapped up when Dale Pearson rifled home his third of the game, his seventeenth of the season, and his second hat-trick of the season. Jack Maskell did well to win the ball back in the final third. The young striker played the ball to Craig Baxter who fizzed a cross into the box. Richardson punched the ball away, but only as far as Dale Pearson who slammed a thunderous effort into the bottom corner.

Dunston had to remain switched on as Will Annan forced Dan Staples into a superb save with 15 minutes to go to preserve the clean sheet. Three changes were also made after the fourth goal as Wayne Phillips, JJ Chrisp and Jordan Lamb were all introduced to the game.

Jordan Lamb made the most of his second half cameo as he caused numerous problems down both flanks. The New Zealander beat two men down the right and lifted a brilliant cross into the box towards Jack Maskell however, the latter's header was tipped away by Richardson. Maskell then came close again seconds later as he dragged an effort wide.

Lamb was in the mix again in the 89th minute as he dribbled down the left and whipped the ball into the box for David Robinson who powered his headed effort inches wide of the post.

That was to be Dunston's last chance on goal with the club still sitting second in the league table, with just one defeat in 18 games.

Report by Callum Pattison

Image Credit - Beauty Time Photography