Match Report – Dunston 4-1 Colls (28/08/21 – NPL East)

The Colls were handed their third defeat in our opening four league games. Despite scoring the games opening goal, the hosts came back with a second half scoring spree.

A fantastic afternoon for football up in Newcastle which saw two sides with mixed starts. The sun was shining and both sides were looking for all three points.

This was clear in the early stages with both sides looking to get the upper hand. Ryan Musselwhite made a couple of early smart saves, before a couple of efforts on goal were simply to stop by Ryan’s opposite number.

Ponte were looking sharp on the counter and they made their host pay the price on 26 minutes. A crisp ball into Scott Smith was brought down between men, he broke clear before cutting inside to Mikey Dunn to fire in. Colls 0-1 in front.

The tackles were flying in, during a very competitive half of football. Jack Vann went down in a heap after a heavy challenge between Dunston forward and Josh Okpolokpo, the latter appeared to catch Vann in the lower back leaving him feeling the pain.

Moments later Dunston were level. A free kick whipped in from the left was met at the back stick, Galbraith managed to knock down into the six yard box for Pearson to head home.

Gavin Rothery came on to replace Jack Vann who was unable to continue from his earlier knock. With minutes to go before half time, we had a penalty shout waved away. Jack Greenhough was upended in the box, but nothing given.

Dunston were then denied by a great save from Ryan Musselwhite, the forward bearing down on goal after a loose pass back but Musselwhite got a finger to it to stop the forward.

Both sides showed moments of promise in a battling first half. Scores level at the break 1-1.

A second enforced change for Ponte saw Ben Gordon leave the field through injury and Callum Brook took his place.

Dunston came out the brightest in the second half and applied pressure down both flanks. They created three of four chances but were unable to find the finishing touch.

With an hour played they got their second. A cross from the right hand side found its way across goal, where Scott Heslop pounced to power home.

The home side continued to push forward and apply pressure. But Jack Lazenby had a well struck free kick well saved going the other way. Before Vaughan Redford had a chance, before the defender managed to get back goalside.

The hosts remained on top and got their third of the game. Luke Porritt danced passed challenges in the box, kept his composure and found Jack Elliott to take in from close range.

Jack Elliot was involved in Dunston’s fourth to seal the game. A free kick from the right seemed to be a poor delivery but at the near post the clearance sliced in at the near post to sum up our second half.

Dunston were able to hold out late on to keep their comfortable lead and took all three points.

Craig Rouse and his side will need to lift their heads as we now go into a tough West Yorkshire Derby, Monday 3pm against table toppers Liversedge.