Dunston kicked off the 2025-26 campaign with a 1-0 victory over North Ferriby. Jude Swailes was introduced midway through the half and made an instant impact heading home the winner merely seconds after entering the field.

Jon McDonald named an unchanged starting XI from our final pre-season friendly which drew 2-2 at Morpeth last week. Michael Pearson skippered the side as usual playing alongside Craig Baxter in the heart of the defence with Hartlepool United loanee Josh Donaldson leading the line in his competitive debut for the club. Wil Shaw also made his competitive debut putting in a man of the match display.

The match got off to a slow start from both sides, with neither side so much as managing a shot between them for the first 25 minutes. The first real chance of the game came on the half-hour mark, when Chris McDonald’s cross found the head of debutant Josh Donaldson, whose header bounced off the crossbar and away for a goal kick.

The visiting side weren’t without response, however, as just four minutes later Lewis Dennison found himself in a good position in the Dunston penalty area, but was met with a fine stop from Dan Lowson.

The second half started with Dunston the better of the two sides, having more of the ball and fashioning a couple of half chances at the beginning of the second half.

Dunston would create a golden opportunity on 68 minutes, with Sado Djalo rising highest in the box to connect with a cross, which again hit the crossbar. The rebound fell to David Robinson, whose header went wide from close range.

Dunston’s opener would finally come just a few minutes later, as substitute Jude Swailes, who had only been introduced not 10 seconds earlier, sent an excellent header from a Phil Turnbull free kick into the back of the North Ferriby net.

The last noteworthy action of the second half came on 86 minutes, as Harvey Neary let fly from distance, with his shot being well saved by ‘keeper Ben Bottomley.

Dunston will now turn their attention to a trip to NPL newcomers Blyth Town on Tuesday evening at Gateway Park.

Report by Liam Foggin.