


MATCH REPORT | Pontefract Collieries 2 Dunston UTS 3
Dunston returned to winning ways with a 3-2 win against Pontefract Collieries at Beechnut Lane, making it six wins from ten in the league.
Jon McDonald made four changes from last weekend’s defeat at North Ferriby, with the quartet of Dan Lowson, Chris McDonald, Phil Turnbull and Sado Djalo all coming in from the start. JJ Chrisp, Michael Pearson and Scott Robson all dropped to the bench, whilst Aaron Steavens was not involved in the squad at all.
Goals from David Robinson, Tom Devitt and Sado Djalo allowed Dunston to come from behind and win after a controversial early goal from Adam Watson put the hosts ahead, before a late penalty from Jack Boyle wasn’t enough.
The hosts took an early lead through Adam Watson after he bundled in a long throw-in. There were strong appeals for offside from the visitors, but they were declined before Chris McDonald and Sado Djalo were booked for their protests.
The conditions made it a very difficult half for Jon McDonald’s men, but that didn’t stop a magnificent comeback at the end. David Robinson drew the Blues level by capitalising on a miscommunication between the Pontefract goalkeeper and defender, as he poked the ball into an empty net.
Tom Devitt then put the away side ahead just before the break, latching onto the rebound after Richard Coulson was denied at point-blank range by Heath Richardson. The centre-half absolutely rocketed the ball in from a few yards, giving his side the lead heading into half time.
Their lead was doubled on fifty-six minutes, as Djalo nodded the ball in from a few yards out. Tom Devitt connected with a corner and headed it onto the inside of the post, allowing Djalo an open goal to nod it into on the rebound.
Dunston appeared to be cruising to an easy victory, but the game was completely flipped on its head when Chris McDonald was shown a second yellow card for a mistimed tackle on the left-hand side.
Soon after, Richard Coulson tripped up a Pontefract attacker in the penalty area, giving the hosts a route back into the game late on. Jack Boyle stepped up and dispatched from the spot, making it a nervy end for the travelling Dunston supporters.
The Blues saw the game out and held on for all three points, pushing them up to sixth place heading into Christmas.
Dunston are back in action after Christmas, welcoming Newton Aycliffe to the UTS Stadium on Boxing Day (1pm kick-off).
Pontefract: Richardson, Grennhough, Cunningham (Metcalfe 57’), Spratt, Steers (Carmichael 81’), Burns, Chorlton, Walker, Watson, Rothery (Graham 66’), Alker (Boyle 57’)
Unused subs: Lindsey
Bookings: Spratt (24’), Burns (19’)
Goals: Watson (14’), Boyle (P) (80’)
Dunston UTS: Lowson, Neary, McDonald, Turnbull (Chrisp 81’), Swailes, Devitt, O’Donnell (M. Pearson 90+2’), Coulson, Djalo, Robinson, D. Pearson (Turner 71’)
Unused subs: Robson, Baxter
Red cards: McDonald (77’)
Bookings: Djalo (15’), McDonald (15’, 77’)
Goals: Robinson (39’), Devitt (45+1’), Djalo (56’)
HT: 2-1
FT: 3-2
Venue: Beechnut Lane
Attendance: 203
Written by Adam Richardson