Dunston headed into bank holiday Monday on the back of a very strong week, with a 3-0 win over local rivals Whickham to progress in the FA Cup, before a successful trip to Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday afternoon.

Jon McDonald made two changes to his side that won 3-1 at Bracken Moor two days earlier, with Dan Lowson returning from illness & Scott Robson replacing right-back Craig Baxter to lead the line, pushing Sado Djalo to the wing & Harvey Neary to Baxter’s position.

Visitors Ashington came in to the match after a heavy defeat to Northern Premier League West side Congleton Town in the FA Trophy two days earlier.

Andy Coyles & Richie Hill’s side included several familiar faces for Dunston fans, including Dan Staples, Jack Camarda & Jon Shaw. However, the away side were missing a number of key players from their starting XI, including Dunston local Cameron Gascoigne & captain Karl Ross.

The game had a fairly scrappy first ten minutes, with referee Jamie Cann producing two yellow cards within just nine minutes.

Dunston started to produce some quality chances, with David Robinson being denied at close range by Dan Staples, and Saturday’s man of the match Jack Walker flicking a header narrowly wide from a corner.

It didn’t take Dunston too long to capitalise on their early chances, as the trio of Dale Pearson, Scott Robson & Sado Djalo produced a beautifully worked goal. Pearson broke down the left wing and drilled a low cross into the box, which was flicked towards the penalty spot by Robson, before being smashed home by a composed Djalo.

Djalo wasn’t happy with just the one goal however, as he came close to a second minutes later with a back post header that he nodded just past the top corner.

Jon McDonald was forced to make an early change, as Harvey Neary went down injured near the corner flag, and was forced to be replaced by Craig Baxter.

The remainder of the first half only produced a couple of chances, including a massive one-on-one save from Dan Lowson to deny the dangerous Ashington captain Wilson Kneeshaw. Dunston also came close to scoring before half-time, as Dale Pearson flashed an effort across goal which almost beat Dan Staples.

The visitors were the better side in the first thirty minutes of the second half, with chances falling to Jay Errington, Cyril Giraud & Wilson Kneeshaw to level the score. It took some great defending from Jack Walker & goalkeeping from Dan Lowson to keep Dunston ahead.

Despite the away side’s improved performance, it was Dunston who grabbed the next goal in the game. Ashington threw bodies forward, which left them open to an overload at the back. Josh Gilchrist, Scott Robson & Dale Pearson caught Jon Shaw & Paddy Almond in a three versus two at the back, which led to Gilchrist having his initial shot parried by the Ashington goalkeeper towards Pearson who calmly passed it into the net.

Ashington continued to throw everything forward for the last fifteen minutes, with fullback Craig Spooner coming close with a shot hitting the post and an effort whistling past the post. Despite their flurry of attacks, Dunston saw the game out and secured all three points.

The result puts Jon McDonald’s side fourth in the league table with a game in hand on two of the teams above them. Dunston head into a cup double, taking on Birtley Town in the FA Cup on Saturday 31st August, before an FA Trophy clash with newly promoted Emley on Friday 6th September.

For Ashington, they sit rock bottom of the Northern Premier League East division, having played less games than any other team. They also compete in the FA Cup this Saturday, taking on Northern League side Crook Town.

Written by Adam Richardson

Photos from Beauty Time Photography