Jon McDonald: Dunston UTS are ‘in a good place’ ahead of Scarborough Athletic FA Cup clash

Dunston UTS manager Jon McDonald believes his players are ‘in a really good place’ as they look to cause a major FA Cup upset in Saturday’s home tie with National League North club Scarborough Athletic.

The Northern Premier League East Division club have suffered just one defeat in their 11 games in all competitions this season.

On Tuesday, Dunston boosted their hopes to securing a historic promotion into Step 3 with a battling win at North East neighbours Heaton Stannington.

However, all focus goes on to the FA Cup this weekend as Scarborough visit the UTS Stadium looking to replicate the second qualifying round defeat they inflicted on McDonald’s men two years ago.

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Big moment

After coming close to an upset in a 1-1 draw on their home patch, Dunston succumbed to a 5-2 defeat in a replay on the North Yorkshire coast just days later.

Confidence is understandably high ahead of Saturday’s tie after such a positive start to the season and McDonald and his players are now looking to make the most of the momentum they have built up as they prepare for what the former North Shields and West Allotment Celtic manager described as ‘a big moment’ for the club.

He told The NLP: “The game on Saturday is one where we want to test ourselves against a club in the National League North.

“We played Scarborough a couple of years ago and we were unlucky not to win on the day.

“We were leading and they scored with a deflected shot, I still remember it.

“We are in good form, there’ll be a big crowd, it’s a big moment for our football club and we are looking forward to it.

“We are in a really good place ahead of the game.”

Improvement in defence

One of the most eye-catching aspects of Dunston’s impressive start to the season has been the improvement in their defensive performance.

After conceding 51 goals in 42 league games last season, a total that was only two goals fewer than sixteenth place Blyth Spartans conceded, McDonald’s side have found a mean streak throughout the opening month of the current campaign.

Wednesday’s clean sheet in the 1-0 win at Heaton Stannington meant Dunston have conceded just one goal in their last eight games and have now conceded just five goals throughout this campaign so far.

That, according the McDonald, gives his side a chance of causing an upset on their home patch and securing a spot in Monday’s third qualifying round draw.

He said: “It’s a good chance to see how we have progressed as a club on and off the pitch after facing Scarborough two seasons ago – but one aspect of the game where we have shown signs of improvement is in our defensive performance.

“In recent seasons, comparatively, we have conceded more goals than clubs in and around us.

“It feels we have addressed that because we are keeping more clean sheets and we know we have quality at the top end of the pitch to create opportunities – so that gives us a chance in any game.”

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