REPORT | Brighouse Town 0 Dunston UTS 2
It was another long away trip for the boys in blue as Dunston travelled 111 miles to the Heffernan Utilities Stadium to take on Brighouse Town, just two days after making the incredibly long trip to Nantwich Town.
The hosts began with a couple of half chances, as Jack Normanton and Jack Crook had shots on goal within the first few minutes, but neither troubled Dunston shot stopper Dan Staples.
Despite the early shots, Dunston contrasted their recent performances by starting the game strongly. This was rewarded with twelve minutes on the clock, as recent returnee to the squad Jack Maskell beautifully finished his chance off the back of a Luke Carr through ball. On his second league start of the season, this was the 19-year-old’s third goal of the campaign.
The home side did have the ball in the back of the net mid-way through the first forty-five, however a foul on Staples kept Dunston’s lead intact.
Dunston should have doubled their advantage a few minutes later, as goal scorer Maskell somehow failed to score from a few yards out, after Luke Carr’s delicious cross met him in the box.
There was a good chance for either side before the close of the half, as Dunston debutant Josh King almost grabbed a debut goal with a header that was narrowly wide, and Dan Staples was brought into action down the other end denying Mohammad Quasim.
The second-half continued Dunston’s strong performance, as eleven minutes after the break Dunston came very close to a second goal, as Chris McDonald whipped a super cross in for Sado Djalo in the mixer, but his header agonisingly clattered the post.
Dunston played the fixture in one of the worst kit combinations you will ever see, as the hosts requested red socks to be worn alongside the grey shirt and shorts. However, this didn’t bother any of the Dunston faithful when Maskell buried his second of the game from close range, after an unbelievable cross from Sado Djalo.
Two goals ahead, Dunston were cruising and almost made it three, as Luke Carr hit a free kick beating everyone, but it was brilliantly tipped around the post by Michael Roxburgh.
And the final chance for number three came through Carr again, as the ball was pulled back to him twelve yards out, but his effort smashed against the crossbar.
The final chance of the game was Brighouse’s best, as Mohammad Qasim missed the target from close range, a massive let off for Dunston’s clean sheet.
Full-time came around and Dunston returned to winning ways, rising to fifth in the league. Outstanding performances from new boy Josh King, skipper Michael Pearson and scorer of a brace Jack Maskell secured all three points.
Written by Adam Richardson
Photo credit - Beauty Time Photography