DUNSTON 1-4 WEST AUCKLAND
Saturday 15 March, 3:00PM, League
A makeshift West side saw the welcome return of Mark Bell and Neil Robinson whilst several players had to play out of position - however they travelled to meet a difficult Dunston and deservedly left with all three points following an impressive showing.
In a quiet opening, Dunston created the first opening when in the 8th minute a quick corner saw Ben Cattnach's cross fired wide by Laws. West first half chance came four minutes later with a miss hit shot by Bryan Stewart close to finding Neil Robinson at the back post.
West then began to take charge and in the 15th minute, Dale Jardine's volley had to be saved by Andrew Clark. A minute later Clark would have been beaten however Danny Richmond's opportunistic free kick flashed an inches the wrong side.
The hosts should have taken the lead after a good passage of play when Cattnach ghosted in unmarked to power a header at goal that Mark Bell tipped over. Again Wets responded with Bryan Stewart firing wide.
The first goal would prove crucial and it came West Auckland's way when Neil Robinson rose well and flicked a header in behind the Dunston defence for Danny Richmond to race onto a slot home (31). This could have quickly became two when the home defence seemed to create their own problems with Jardine blocking the keepers clearance before the ball was scrambled away.
Kane Young had the hosts final effort of the half, curling an effort in Bell's hands as West went in, in the lead. This lead was soon doubled when 7 minutes after the break, Dale Jardine flicked the ball and Neil Robinson looped his effort over a helpless Clark who could only watch it sail into the far corner.
A promising move saw Burns curl an effort goal wards, again though Mark Bell was equal to it. In the 64th minute, a cross was met by a powerful Kevin Devine header that flashed wide and two minutes later, further Dunston pressure saw a low fired in free kick superbly pushed away by Bell's strong right hand. Devine then went on a good run before shooting over at the second attempt as Dunston looked for a way back into it.
There hopes though were extinguished in the 70th minute when Stuart Owen played in Dale Jardine and the in form forward lashed his shot past the keeper to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.
With 12 minutes remaining sub Mark Campbell saw his shot deflected narrowly wide before a chance went begging from close range with the ball hooked wide. The lead was then stretched to 4 in the 83rd minute when Clark went and stopped, Dale Jardine rounded the keeper before sliding the ball past the covering defender.
Steven Preen pulled one back four minutes from the end when breaking and just about beating Bell who was unfortunate not to keep a deserved clean sheet. Another effort was blazed over by the hosts before Bryan Stewart came close to adding a fifth - seeing his close range effort saved by Clark.
A final shot by Swanston was wide as West deservedly left with the 3 vital points.
1. Mark Bell, 2. Thomas Louden, 3. Kevin Bromley, 4. Brian Fairhurst, 5. Ian Maddison, 6. Bryan Stewart, 7. Stuart Owen, 8. Danny Richmond, 9. Dale Jardine, 10. Neil Robinson, 11. Paul Freary.