WEST AUCKLAND 3-2 DUNSTON FED.
Saturday 27 October, 3:00PM, League
A late penalty from manager Lee Ellison saw West Auckland record 3 deserved and vital points after leading 3 times against Dunston.
With no League points since 22nd September, it was hoped that Lee Ellison's first League game in charge would bring an upturn in fortunes that saw West start the day perilously close to the relegation zone. They had the start they need by opening the scoring in the 13th minute.
After going for an initial header from Danny Richmond's cross, Garry Barnes was left on the ground in the six yard box so when Stuart Owen fired the ball in low from the left, Barnes was able to swivel on the floor and hook the ball into the net.
Dunston responded with Kane Young nipping in at the near post to send Neil Pattinson's free kick over the bar. The visitors were then gifted a way back into the game by the assistant referee in the 23rd minute. With the referee looking directly at the play, he waved away an appeal after Jamie Middleton had knocked a Dunston player away while trying to win the ball and take it out of play. The assistant referee though signaled for a penalty and the referee changed his mind, pointing to the spot.
Steven Preen stepped to place the ball down the middle of the goal with Lee Hutton unable to get enough onto it whilst moving to his left. This gave Dunston a lift and Hutton did well to push Stephen Pickering's shot past the post a minute later.
Garry Barnes came close to a second with a 26th minute free kick, which was narrowly the wrong side of goal. Dunston hit the side netting before West pressured the visitors as half time approached. Scott Nicholson's header towards the goal was inches too far in front of Thomas Louden as the ball went out of play rather than a telling touch from the West forward.
Garry Barnes though had West Auckland back ahead 5 minutes before the break doing well to place his header from Dale Jardine's right wing cross in the top corner of the net.
The hosts could have lead by a greater margin at half time but were denied by the crossbar as, following Michael Heckley's towering header at the back post, the ball eventually found Stuart Owen and his acrobatic overhead saw the ball bounce of the top of the woodwork.
There was a blow when two goal Garry Barnes had to be replaced 12 minutes into the second half. This led to Danny Key coming on and a reshuffle but this did not affect West and could have stretched the lead on the hour mark. Danny Richmond found Dale Jardine who in turn sent a ball low into the box which Stuart Owen raced onto at the back post before the winger saw his shot saved by Andrew Clark.
There were some nervous moments for West though. In the 62nd minute the ball took a high bounce over Ian Maddison and James Middleton only for Kevin Devine to put over the header from 12 yards. 4 minutes later a quick attack saw Ian Maddison unable to cut out a cross field pass to Steven Preen who wasted the opportunity firing straight at Lee Hutton from the edge of the box.
A creative free kick saw Danny Key eventually go through on goal only for the Dunston keeper to tip away his shot. From the corner, Dale Jardine's flicked header was cleared off the line.
In the 71st minute, Jardine burst through the back line to be one on one with the keeper who saved his effort before the West forward blazed over the rebound from a tight angle as West looked for a two goal cushion.
They were then made to pay for missed chances when Neil Pattinson fired across goal and into the corner of the net from 20 yards. Dunston then should have had an unlikely lead when a break saw Preen unmarked at the back post. His header across goal saw Lee Hutton do well to dive and push the ball away with West hearts in mouths.
In the 88th minute Stephen Pickering lashed a 30 yard volley narrowly wide as nerves grew. However a minute later West were given a great chance of the lead again when Jack Burns handled a goal bound shot from Scott Nicholson and was sent off. Manager and sub Lee Ellison, only on for a minute, stepped up and, although Clark got a hand to it, the ball went into the corner of the net.
Tension mounted in 8 or 9 minutes of stoppage time although Danny Key had a great chance to settle them going through on goal again, twice seeing Andrew Clark save his efforts although West completed the job, holding on for the 3 valuable points.
1. Lee Hutton, 2. Michael Heckley, 3. Kevin Bromley, 4. Ian Maddison, 5. Jamie Middleton, 6. Scott Nicholson, 7. Dale Jardine, 8. Danny Richmond, 9. Garry Barnes (12. Danny Key 57 mins), 10. Thomas Louden (14. Lee Ellison 88 mins), 11. Stuart Owen
Subs Not Used: 15. Michael Waller, 16. Bradley Woods