Dunston UTS 3-2 Worksop Town (FA Trophy First Qualifying Round) 25.09.21

It was a tough one to take for Craig Parry and his battling Tigers on Saturday as they made the long trip to the north-east, in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy, only to come away both empty-handed, and having exited the competition at the hands of hosts Dunston UTS.

Both sides had strengthened over the summer, on and off the pitch, but it would be the Tyneside outfit that would take the lead, midway through the first period.

Having had the majority of chances in the opening exchanges, with some exciting creativity to match, it would be they who led, well, after Aaron Sennett-Nielson saw a chance blocked on thirteen for the visitors, then Sado Djalo struck.

Playing in the Northern Alliance not that long ago, Djalo has been impressing since he moved to one of Tyneside’s more premier clubs, and it would be he who not only opened the scoring, but afforded the hosts an interval lead; Jack Elliot collecting a ball that had started at the home defence, before finishing with Djalo who netted from close range.

The Tigers’ did come close to equalising just before the interval, Jack Broadhead seeing his effort crash against the crossbar from close range.

The second period started brightly, for both sides in fact, and Worksop would find themselves level within minutes of the restart, Ben Tomlinson finding himself poking the ball past Liam Connell, following a goalmouth scramble, it was to be the start of a hectic, ten-minute spell.

Within minutes of the equaliser, the Tigers’ joy was short-lived, Dunston regaining the lead through Dan Capewell who, just out of reach of visiting ‘keeper Sebastian Malkowski, saw his effort drop over the line after the visitors had failed to clear a free-kick from Craig Baxter.

We did say it was a hectic, ten minute spell, didn’t we, yes? Well, shortly after Dunston regained the lead, would Worksop equalise for a second time in the game, Sennett-Nielson supplying a cross, form a corner, which Jack Broadhead would gratefully receive, heading past Connell.

The game now, really could have been anybody’s for the taking, unfortunately for Worksop, Dunston had just that little bit extra in the goal-scoring department, especially with Zayn Hakeem and Steven McDonnell having a rare off-day in front of goal.

Following the second equaliser, a quiet(ish) twenty-p0lus minute spell was witnessed, with few chances registered, Cody Cromack and Deegan Atherton blocking out home chances, whilst McDonnell, with a header, and two efforts from Hakeem, gave the visitors hope.

Worksop had a late chance to win the tie, but Connell was a fine match to Tomlinson’s fierce volley, the goal-bound effort saved well by the home shot-stopper, whilst Jake Picton would see a late chance from himself deflected wide.

Dunston’s incessant pressure at the other end though, eventually paid off and, with a little over five minutes remaining, home midfielder, Ursene Mouada, would finish off a counter-attack, putting the ball past Malkowski having been played through by Djalo, and scored the goal which fired the hosts into the next round.

Tigers midfielder, and their second goal-scorer, Jack Broadhead, said after the game, that: “We did well, on patches, it just seems to be of the part at the minute, with us, in terms of defensive play and giving teams goals like the three we we’ve give away today, are poor standard.

“You look at our attacking play, we create chances and we’ve got good, attacking players; they’re always going to get you a goal even if we’re not playing very well, but yes, the goals we’ve given away have cost us.

“We’ve got to work hard to rectify.”

Watch the interview with Jack, and get manager, Craig Parry’s thoughts, via their YouTube.

On the bench for the Tigers, 16-year-old back-up ‘keeper, Joe Chapman, he gaining some worthy, match-day experience, as backup to Malkowski, enjoying a warm-up with the visiting number one, and coach, Jon Hood.

Worksop’s next outing, a return to league action, when they host the visiting Ossett United, kick-off at 19:45, followed by a trip to Pickering Town on Saturday (2 October).

Worksop Town: Sebastian Malkowski, Aaron Sennett-Nielson (James Baxendale 67), Connor Smythe, Deegan Atherton, Jake Picton (capt), Lewis Gibbens (Liam Bateman 46), Cody Cromack, Jack Broadhead, Steven McDonnell (Roy Fogarty 74), Zayn Hakeem, Ben Tomlinson.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @LewisPickersgi1 action between Worksop & Dunston in the FA Trophy.