9th April 2008, Spennymoor Town 1 Dunston FFC 1, League.
Firstly apologies for this being a short report but in the dusk light my old eyes could not work out Spennymoor’s gold numbers on black and white shirts so this is an unintentionally one sided report. Despite bad weather throughout the day the game was played in near perfect conditions. Fed started the brighter and it took only 2 minutes for Preen to have the first chance when he shot on the turn inside the area but just wide. Within a minute Moors hit back and shot just off target. After 5 Cattenach, playing in midfield got in a cross for Preen to head wide. Fed had the upper hand and after 11 Dunn crossed and found Laws who laid the ball back for Stephenson who hit disappointingly wide. Two minutes later Moors keeper Lawson mis-kicked a backpass straight to Stephenson who passed to Pickers who shot again wide. After 17 two Spenny defenders left the ball for each other allowing Stephenson in but again he couldn’t find the target and shot over – this was becoming the story of the match for the Fed. With 26 on the clock a good move between Laws, Stephenson and Cattenach ended with Ben missing the target once again for the Fed. On the stroke of half time Ben C hit a shot from the edge of the area but just over. The half time whistle went with neither keeper tested.
The second half started brighter and Fed had a great chance when Stephenson (who took a head injury for his efforts) headed and forced a great save from Lawson and the rebound fell to Preen who hit across the goal and just wide. (The treatment time for this injury was a contributing factor for the injury time for which was to follow). After 51 a 25 yard effort from Cattenach was well saved – this was painful for me as I had 51 on the golden goals ticket. Then followed Spennymoor’s best period of the game – they were awarded two dangerous looking free-kicks in a similar position on the edge of the area – the first hit harmlessly against the wall but the second forced a good save from Clark but 2 onrushing Spenny forwards could not connect to the rebound and the danger was cleared. Not for long though and in the 61st minute Storr shot on the turn from a right sided pass and placed the ball perfectly into the bottom right and Clark could only watch helplessly. It was tough on the Fed but Storr had done what the Fed had failed to do with their numerous chances. The game fizzled out which favoured the home side with the lead. Fed were awarded a free kick 20 yards out with 10 minutes remaining but Dunn’s dipping effort did not dip enough. Within a minute the game should have been over but Clark saved with his legs on a one on one with the Moors centre forward. With 5 minutes to go Dunn tried an effort from the edge of the area which brought penalty appeals for handball – from where I was I couldn’t see anything. It seemed all but over for the Fed but after 7 minutes of stoppage time Stephenson turned on the edge of the area and hit an unstoppable low shot into the bottom right to give Fed a late, late draw. Everybody I spoke to in the bar were of the same opinion that no-one could deny Fed deserved the draw but neither could anyone explain what ended in just over 8 minutes of stoppage time.
Fed: Clark, O’Bern, Dunn, Robson, Irwin, Cattenach, Young, Laws, Preen, Stephenson, Pickering (subs: Burns, Allport, Taylor)
Stats: Attempts Fed 21 Moors 8; On target Fed 8 Moors 4; Corners Fed 10 Moors 2; Fouls Committed Fed 12 Moors 9; Offside Fed 4 Moors 1
Fed Up News Man of the Match Ben Cattenach
5th April 2008, Chester LS 0 Dunston FFC 2, League.
Fed gained another comfortable 3
points against what has to be said a very negative Chester side. Fed kicked
down the slope in the first half and got the better of a very uneventful
opening period. The weather varied from bright sunshine to hailstorms at short
notice. Fed took the lead on the quarter hour when Preen hit in a low cross
which was met by a Pickering header. Fed had the upper hand for most of the
first half with the home side, still with a relegation threat, producing very
little. Fed could have easily doubled their lead after 27 when a cross from
the left caused a goalmouth scramble which was cleared off the line on a
couple of occasions before falling to Pickers who shot straight at Aitkin. The
play was almost entirely in the CLS half and Fed went 2-0 up when after some
good work on the left Preen was in acres of space and made no mistake from 8
yards out. It was all Fed and after 42 Harkin turned the defence inside out
and delivered a cross for Preen who could not direct his header on target. In
first half stoppage time Dixon shot over from the edge of the area. Fed went
in with a 2 goal lead but most of the fans I spoke to at half time were
disappointed that it was not game set and match.
Chester started a little brighter in the second half and gave the Fed a
little to think about. Clark was forced into his first save of the match when
Draper but his faith in the wind and tried a 25 yarder which the keeper was
well behind. Fed went close after 57 when Dixon cut in from the right and his
shot looked goalward but was headed clear for a corner. The resulting corner
fell to Pickering on the edge of the area whose effort was also blocked. Fed
had a golden chance to seal matters when Stephenson was played clear and one
on one with Ackers took his time and tried to place into the corner but the
ex-Fed keeper saved well with his legs. Dunn shot wide for the Fed and then,
after 84, Laws found Dixon with a long ball from defence and Dicker flicked
over the keeper but wide. With time running out sub Campbell had a great
chance at the far post for the Fed but hit over. With only minutes left Draper
beat the offside trap and had Chester’s best chance of the match but Clark got
the better of the one on one scenario. This was to prove the final thorn in
Chester’s side. An easy 3 points for the Fed. With so many ex-Fed connections
I wish Chester all the best but with relegation a threat they seemed to play
with no passion at all – the match stats will make sore reading.
Fed: Clark, O’Bern, Dunn, Young, Irwin (I will never retire), Dixon,
Harkin, Laws, Preen, Stephenson, Pickering (subs: Pattinson, Allport,
Campbell, Devine, Taylor)
CLS: Aitkin, Gilhespy, Wake, Marron, Armstrong, McIntyre, Reay,
Cuthbertson, Craggs, Anderson, Draper, (Subs Jones, A McIntyre, Donaldson,
Devlin, Healer)
Stats: Attempts Fed 13 CLS 3; On target Fed 7 CLS 2; Corners Fed 2 CLS 2;
Fouls committed Fed 8 CLS 5; Offside Fed 4 CLS 3
Fed Up News man of the Match – Steve Pickering
1st April 2008, Dunston FFC 1 Ashington 0, League
This was more a lottery than a
game of football as a gale force wind blowing “doon the valley” made football
very difficult. That said that was not the Fed’s fault and they took all three
points from a game in which anything could have happened. In the very first
minute Robson tried to clear from the edge of the area and the ball ended up
behind its original point and this was an indication it was never going to be
a classic. With the wind in their favour the first effort of the match came
from Gary Cook who tried an ambitious 25 yarder which was well off target.
After 11 minutes Paul Hutchinson had an effort on target which skipper Michael
Laws managed to clear off the line. Chances were rare as the conditions made
football impossible, the wind in fact was so strong that having it in your
favour was no advantage as on numerous occasions attempted through balls by
the visitors were blown away for a goal kick. Fed took the lead on the half
hour against the run of play and conditions when Ben Cattanach got free on the
right and put in a low cross to the far post where Dixon made no mistake.
Ashington hit straight back and Lee McAndrew (whom I work with and couldn’t
bear it if he had scored) forced a great save from ex-Collier Clark with a
corner being the result. Clarkie was in action moments later having to tip
Cook’s wind-assisted inswinger over the bar. Then McAndrew put in a cross from
the left which hung in the wind and fell nicely for Millican to hit on the
volley but just wide. The half ended with Harkin (in what was going to be his
last kick of the game) trying an speculative 30 yard effort which took a
deflection but was easily saved by Simpson in the Ashington goal. I got the
impression that it was going to be difficult to score in these conditions and
Fed’s goal was going to be invaluable.
Fed almost doubled their lead within 2 minutes of the restart when Tony
Stephenson produced a Ronaldo style step-over to leave the visiting defence
standing but Simpson saved well in a one on one situation. Once again the
conditions were getting the better of both sides and the next real chance came
after 70 when Cattanach tried his luck from 30 yards and was only just over. 2
minutes later from a free kick on the half way line Mick Laws hit an overhead
kick which was goalbound but Bibby managed to clear off the line. Fed were
having their best period of the match and Pickering just managed to keep a
ball in play and laid back to Dunn whose wind assisted effort must have landed
somewhere in Dunston Park. With 3 minutes to go Ashington sub Ross Atkinson
tried a long range effort which looked good but Clark was adamant not to be
beaten by his former colleagues and made another good save. This was to be
Ashington’s final lifeline – I may be getting too soft in my old age but i
thought it was tough on the visitors that such a crucial game was played in
such conditions. It could have gone either way and fortunately from a Fed
point of view it went ours.
Fed: Clark, Cattanach, Dunn, Robson, Taylor, Burns, Harkin, Laws,
Dixon, Stephenson, Pickering (subs Pattinson, Allport, Preen, Devine, Irwin)
Ashington : Simpson, Morton, Bibby, Tremble, P Hutchinson, Irving,
Millican, S Hutchinson, Cockburn, McAndrew, Cook (subs Young, Atkinson, Smith,
Jelley, Parkinson)
Stats: Attempts Fed 9 Ashington 9; On Target Fed 4 Ashington 5; Corners
Fed 1 Ashington 4; Fouls committed Fed 6 Ashington 14; Offisde Fed 2 Ashington
4
Fed Up News Man of the Match Paul Dunn
25th March 2008, Dunston FFC 0 Shildon 4, League.
After two successive wins without
conceding a goal Fed must have gone into this game with confidence at a cold
Fed Park tonight. What was to follow was a bit of a horror show though. It
took only 75 seconds for Shildon to take the lead when the Fed defence mis-headed
into the path of Nathan Masters who shot the ball past Clark. Fed had a chance
after 4 when Devine got in a cross from the right touch-line, Preen rose well
but headed just wide. The visitors were looking more lively with the ball and
after 6 minutes a long cross from the left found Dion Riatt unmarked at the
far post who hit first time and Clark was helpless again – 2-0. It was
nightmare stuff from Fed as they seemed to lose the ball time and time again
at the back and in the 19th minute another defensive mix-up gifted the ball to
Riatt who hit from 20+ yards this time safely into the hands of Clark. In a
rare Fed attack a free-kick from Dunn was met at the far post by Irwin who
headed well at the top corner but Spence collected the ball with both hands.
Shildon were playing good possession football in midfield and midway through
the first half Ord tried a long range effort which was just over. After 33 Fed
played some good stuff on the right and Devine cut into the area and despite
having 3 players in the box shot into the side netting. The visitors hit
straight back and Riatt had an effort cut out for a corner. As Fed tried in
vain to get back into the match Pickering tried his luck from the edge of the
area but shot straight at Spence. With 3 minutes of the half remaining Fed
were cut apart once more and the ball found Emson on the left who shot just
wide. Shildon deserved their half-time lead.
Fed tried to push forward in the early second half but Shildon had the first
chance when Gowan found space on the right and found Greddziak whose header
dipped into the hands of Clark. Greddziak went close again when he cut in from
the right and shot across the goal but just wide of the far post. It should
have been 3 after 59 when Emson’s pace took him past Burns and found Greddziak
3 yards out, the forward seemed to have the simplest of tap-ins but the ball
seemed to hit off his shins and did not have the momentum to cross the line.
Fed’s stay of execution lasted only 6 minutes longer when the visitors were
awarded a penalty for a foul inside the area. My view of the incident was
blocked (in true Arsene Wenger style) but there seemed to be no complaints
from the Fed defence. Riatt made no mistake sending the keeper the wrong way.
The same player could have a hat-trick 5 minutes later when he played a good
1-2 with Emson and his goalbound effort was blocked by Robson. It was Riatt
again who went close after 78 when a short corner to the edge of the area did
not seem to have been hit well by the striker but evaded everyone before
hitting the post. With 5 minutes left a long ball from defence was headed into
the path of Tyson Masters, who in yards of space, took the ball to 20 yards
out and shot past Clark to make it 4-0. It has to be said it was a bad
performance from the Fed but that should take nothing from Shildon, especially
the front line of Masters, Greddziak and Emson who looked dangerous
throughout. The stats will show that Fed had attempts at goal but in fairness
I don’t think Spence was seriously tested throughout this painful 90 minutes.
Fed: Clark, Burns, Dunn, Robson, Irwin, Pickering, Young, Laws, Preen,
Devine, Pattinson (subs Cattenach, Allport, Campbell, O’Bern, Taylor)
Shildon: Spence, Gowan, Ord, Clarke, Hutton, Jury, Niven, Riatt,
Masters, Greddiak, Emson (subs Ptak, Clough, Ankers, Mendum, Bullyment)
Stats: Attempts; Fed 8 Shildon 20; On target: Fed 4 Shildon 8; Corners:
Fed 2 Shildon 3; Fouls Committed: Fed 14 Shildon 11; Offside: Fed 3 Shildon 3
No-one in the bar I asked could think of a Man of the Match
18th March, Dunston FFC 2 (Pattinson, Pickering) Chester Le Street 0, League
Fed regained form at home tonight
with a comfortable win despite struggling to raise a team. Billy Irwin was
forced to play a full 90 minutes at the back and I thought I had too much to
drink when I saw Paul Hogg run past me in a tracksuit. Fed kicked towards the
car park end and had the lion’s share of possession from the beginning. Fed
had a chance as early as the 2nd minute when Preen picked up the ball on the
half-way line and was allowed space to take the ball to the edge of the area
where he stumbled in the act of shooting and his effort went well wide. Fed
were awarded a free kick on the right touch-line after 11 which was headed out
by Scott Donaldson to Pickering on the edge of the area but he didn’t connect
well and his shot went just wide. Pickers was not to be denied for long as Fed
took the lead 5 minutes later, albeit with a stroke of luck. Ex Fed keeper Ian
Aitkin dived at the feet of Pattinson but failed to collect and the ball fell
to Laws who tried a shot from the edge of the area – he didn’t connect cleanly
but was fortunate to see his effort reach Pickering 8 yards out who shot on
the turn giving Akkers no chance. Chester hit back immediately and a long ball
found Reay in space on the right and his first time effort was blocked by Dunn
for a corner. 2 minutes later a shot/cross by Sam MacIntosh almost deceived
Clark in the Fed goal, who just managed to push the ball over for a corner.
Fed went straight back upfield and Preen cut in from the right and crossed low
but Laws missed the ball completely 6 yards out. It was Fed going close again
after 26 when some good work on the left between Laws and Pattinson resulted
in a low cross which Pickering just failed to convert. After 26 Anderson tried
an ambitious 25yd effort for the visitors which was deflected for a corner.
From the corner though Fed broke quickly, Laws received the ball on halfway
and found Pattinson with a defence splitting pass, Patters seemed to have
delayed slightly too long but then put in a low shot past Aitkin and Fed had
doubled their lead. Fed threatened again after 40 when they worked a left side
corner to the far post where Kane Young volleyed well but Aitkin made a great
save for Chester. 2 minutes later Preen tried a spectacular dipping shot from
30 yards which hit the top of the crossbar and seconds later Fed were denied
the most blatant penalty for a double handed handball right in front of the
referee – fortunately this was not to prove vital to the result. Fed deserved
their 2 goal lead at the break.
The second half was a bit of a non-event with Fed comfortable with a 2-0 lead
and CLS never really threatening. After 51 Pattinson picked out Preen inside
the area whose shot was well saved by Aitkin who was having a good game in the
Chester goal. As the game approached the hour mark Dixon found Laws at the far
side of the box who shot wide but in fairness the keeper seemed to have it
covered. Fed went close again after 74 when Preen found space from a corner
but hit just wide. Fed pressed forward in the final 10 – Laws took the ball
into the area, was tackled and Pickering’s effort was headed over for a
corner. With 3 minutes of time left Fed legend Paul Hogg shot on the turn
forcing another save and another corner. The ref didn’t play much stoppage
time and a much improved Fed deserved their 3 points.
Fed: Clark, Burns, Dunn, Robson, Irwin, Dixon, Young, Laws, Preen (Hogg
79) Pattinson (Kavanagh 87) Pickering
CLS: Aitkin, Donaldson, Wake, Jones, Armstrong, S Macintosh (Gilhespy
73), Reay, Cuthbertson (A McIntosh 50), Emmerson (Craggs 66), Anderson, Healer
Stats: Attempts Fed 16 CLS 6; On Target Fed 6 CLS 3; Corners Fed 12 CLS
3; Fouls Committed Fed 10 CLS 7 Offside Fed 1 CLS 2
Fed Up News Man of the Match – difficult one – good performances by all
– mentions to Preen, Pattinson, Robson,Laws and of course Billy Irwin but mom
to Pickering
15th March 2008, Dunston FFC 1 (Preen) West Auckland 4, League
Fed put in one of their worst
performances of the season and were duly punished by a West Auckland side who
made the most of any opportunities offered today at Fed Park. Fed kicked
towards the Car park end and it was a war of attrition to begin. It took 8
minutes for the first chance when Cattanach put in a good cross from the right
and Michael Laws connected with a first time volley which deserved more than
to go just to the wrong side of the upright. Chances looked like they were
going to be rare and after 15 minutes Jardine had the first effort for the
visitors – his 20yd effort took an awkward bounce but Clark was well behind
it. Fed went close after 21 – after some good work on the left Dunn put in a
perfect cross which was met by the head of Cattanach and looked good only to
be denied by a great save from Mark Bell who pushed over for a corner. West
took the lead after 31 with their first clear chance, a long ball was headed
into the path of Richmond who kept his nerve and eased the ball past Clark.
Fed struggled to find a reply but after 39 Laws found space inside the box,
cut inside from the left and tried to place a shot into the top right which
was equalled by keeper Bell. It was an even enough first half with the one
piece of finishing by Richmond the telling difference.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first but after 52 minutes
West doubled their lead when a free kick on the left was headed on by Jardine
and Neil Robinson first time flicked over the head of Clark. This spurred Fed
into their best period of their match – after 61 Dixon played in Burns on the
left who cut inside and tried a shot which was straight at the keeper. With 65
gone Maddison gave away an unnecessary free kick 20 yds out when he handled
whilst trying to outjump Preen. Dunn’s effort took a deflection off the wall
and Bell did well to push aside for a corner. Within a minute Devine went on
an individual run but blasted well over. Football is rarely fair and Fed’s
best 18 minutes of the match was ‘rewarded’ when they were caught on the hop
after 70 minutes – Owens produced some good work on the left and found Jardine
with a neat inside pass which the centre-forward managed to hit just inside
the post, giving Clark no chance to make it 3-0. Fed looked deflated after
this – after 79 Dunn tried a 25 yard effort which was deflected for a corner.
The misery was complete after 82 when a hoof downfield found Jardine in an
amazing amount of space, he managed to round the keeper and, from a difficult
angle, made it 4-0 despite the gallant efforts of James Taylor to clear off
the line. With 4 minutes to go Preen scored a consolation for the Fed when he
received the ball inside the area and held off a couple of challenges before
beating Bell. It could have been five in the last minute of normal time when
an obvious foul on Dunn was missed allowing West a 3 on 1 which ended when
Jardine found Stewart at the far post but Clark saved well with his feet. The
stats will show that both teams had an even amount of chances but West always
looked liked scoring with theirs. A woeful performance by the Fed but West
took advantage of this in clinical fashion.
Fed: Clark, Cattanach (Pattinson 81), Dunn, Robson, Taylor, Dixon,
Young (Campbell 70), Laws, Preen, Devine, Burns (Swanston 70)
WA: Bell, Louden, Bromley, Fairhurst, Maddison, Stewart, Owens,
Richmond, Jardine, Robinson, Feary
Stats: Attempts Fed 10 WA 10; On Target Fed 5 WA 8; Corners Fed 6 WA 3;
Fouls committed Fed 18 WA 7; Offisde Fed 2 WA 2
Fed Up News Man of the Match – difficult to give to anyone but I will
go for Laws.
4th March 2008, Dunston FFC 3 ( Dixon 2, Preen) Billingham Town 0.
Fed were made to fight much harder than the score would suggest at a cold Fed Park tonight. Fed kicked towards the car-park and could have gone ahead in the first minute when Preen was played clear and tried a shot from the edge of the area which Hamilton got down well to push for a corner. Smith had the first effort for the visitors after 5 when he tried his luck from 20 yards but straight into the hands of Clark. Town had another chance from an 11th minute corner which fell to Harbron who had his effort blocked. Within 30 seconds Dixon found space at the other end and tried a 22 yard shot which swerved wide of the goal. Fed had the ball in the net after 20 when a free-kick was headed into the path of Dixon who made no mistake from 12 yards. I was in line with this and although close the liner made the correct call. Fed had a scare at the back when Clark had a clearance blocked into the path of Huggins who hit the ball into the danger area but there was no-one there to take advantage – it took only seconds for Fed to get upfield where the ball took a wicked deflection and Preen had to wait an age for it to come down before placing his shot past the onrushing Hamilton to make it 1-0. Town forced their way back into the game and could have levelled matters when Fed failed to clear a cross and Hutchinson failed to get enough power from 6 yards, allowing Clark to save after 35 and shortly afterwards Harkin was forced to go off injured to be replaced by Pickering. Town had the ball in the net minutes later but the flag was already up for offside. Fed were relieved to hear the half time whistle.
The second half started very slowly and it took until the 52nd minute for any action of note. Preen went on a run on the right but was tackled for a corner. The corner fell to Burns who hit over from 10 yards. Chances were still rare and after 62 Pickering found space on the left but failed to pick out Burns with his pass. Town started putting on more pressure and the Fed had to scramble the ball clear on a couple of occasions but they almost caught the visitors on the break when sub Swanston broke on the right and Pickering just failed to connect onto his pass with the goal gaping. Within seconds Town had a chance when Smith’s pace got him clear on the right and he chipped the keeper but the ball was cleared. With 69 minutes gone Banks cut in from the right touchline and got in a dangerous looking cross which Clark did well to collect. Fed doubled their lead after 71 through a brilliant piece of individualism by Dixon. He flicked a Cattanach throw in over his own head and that of the defence before coolly placing the ball past Hamilton. Five minutes later Pickers could have sealed matters when he left the Billingham defence standing, chipped the keeper but saw the ball hit the bar. After 78 it was 3-0, Swanston had a shot well saved and keeper Hamilton was unlucky to see the rebound fall to the feet of Dixon who tapped home. Within seconds of the restart the dangerous looking Banks again found space on the right and hit a low shot past Clark but the ball hit the bottom of the upright and to safety. A game which produced few chances for the first 70 minutes was now riddled with them and Atkinson found himself in a good shooting position but hit wide for the visitors. With 5 minutes to go Burns found Swanston 8 yards out but the sub mis-kicked which almost fooled the keeper who just managed to save with his feet. The whistle went after 3 minutes of stoppage time – Fed deserved their victory but 3-0 was flattering. A welcome 3 points.
Fed: Clark, Cattanach, Dunn, Robson, Young, Dixon, Harkin, Laws, Preen, Burns, Pattinson (subs; Swanston, Allport, Pickering, Irwin, Taylor)
Town: Hamilton, Forster, Scott, Hutchinson, Atkinson, Yale, Huggins, Harbron, Banks, Clough, Smith (Subs; Osmond, Tucker, Burton)
Stats: Attempts: Fed 9 BT 9; On Target Fed 5 BT 5; Corners Fed 3 BT 1; Fouls committed; Fed 16 BT 12; Offside Fed 11 BT 3
Fed Up News Man of the Match – Michael Dixon
23rd February 2008, Dunston FFC 1 (Dixon) Tow aw Town 2
Fed somehow managed to grasp defeat from the jaws of victory today at Fed Park. Fed kicked towards the car park in the first half and were quickly on top – although having a lot of possession did not create a clear chance early on. After 9 minutes though Pickering got to the goal line and crossed over the Tow Law defence where Dixon had the easiest of knock-ins to give Fed the lead. 4 minutes later Laws got into a good position inside the area but his volley on the turn was straight down the throat of Norton in the visitors’ goal. Fed could have doubled their lead after 25 when some good work from Laws/Harkin on the right resulted in Devine getting in a header at the far post which hit the crossbar and was cleared to safety. Tow Law hit straight back and ex Fed hit-man Alex Benjamin hit just wide from 22 yards. Fed had the advantage of the wind in the first half but despite Tow Law being out of the game for the first half they almost levelled matters after 43 when O’Bern got in a saving tackle when Teesdale looked in a good position to score. The following corner resulted in Hollingsworth heading well over. Fed had dominated the half but their inability to add to their lead was to prove important.
The second half was a dour affair – equal for the first 20/25 minutes with the visitors taking over for the final quarter. After 53 Cattenach went on a great run on the right, leaving two defenders for dead but his cross came to nothing. The game was even but Fed were creating the better chances and after 58 Fergal Harkin turned Hollingsworth inside out before hitting into the side netting. After 65 it was Harkin again who beat the offside trap and tried an ambitious 35 yard chip but with the windy conditions was never likely to succeed. At this stage there seemed to be only one winner but the final quarter of the game belonged to the visitors. Teesdale tried an ambitious 30 yard effort for Tow Law which wasn’t far off target. With 76 on the clock Laws seemed to be in a good position for a shot but chose to seek out Devine and his pass was cut out. Fed were on the back foot for the final 10 and in the 83rd minute the visitors were awarded a free kick which was laid off to Benjamin whose shot from 22 yards swerved away from the keeper but “clatted the post”. Fed were now looking unsteady and after 87 Tow Law were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous looking position which Benjamin hit just over. Tow Law piled on the pressure and in an eventful last 90 seconds they forced two successive corners – the second of which appeared to have been cleared but fell to McGuire who, from 25 yards out, hit a perfect shot into the bottom left corner. Within 40 seconds of the restart the ball fell to Eccles (Not Eckles – private joke) who perfectly executed a side foot into the corner and somehow Tow Law had snatched a win.
No denials I was gutted at this result – to be fair when TLT equalised I said they deserved it – but for them to go and win it was daylight robbery. Fed were poor second half and to be fair to Tow Law they clung on to whatever hope they had and took it big style.
Fed: Clark, Cattenach, Burns, Robson, O’Bern, Dixon, Harkin, Laws, Devine, Young, Pickering (subs Dunn, Ludlow, Swanston, Campbell, Pattinson)
TLT: Norton, Dixon, Hollingsworth, Hutt, Langthorne, Mudd, McGuire, Renshaw, Benjamin, Teesdale, Eccles (subs Bell, Allen, Maughan, Shields, Wilkinson)
Fed up News Man of the Match - Harkin
| Dunston FFC | Match Stats | Tow Law Town |
| 8 | Attempts | 15 |
| 3 | On Target | 6 |
| 0 | Corners | 5 |
| 11 | Fouls Committed | 10 |
| 8 | Offside | 0 |
Match Report By Dave O'Neil (AFF)