Dunston UTS boss Jon McDonald ready for big FA Trophy test

Dunston UTS have a mountain to climb in their FA Trophy second round tie at National League North neighbours South Shields – but it is a mountain manager Jon McDonald has successfully scaled once before.

There have been a number of achievements and eye-catching wins during a 15-year career in the dugout – but a 1-0 victory against the Mariners nine years ago remains near the top of any such list.

McDonald, then in charge of Ebac Northern League club North Shields, took a Robins side across the River Tyne to face the Mariners in a highly anticipated clash of two sides pushing for promotion into the Northern Premier League.

On a wet and blustery day on South Tyneside, it was the visitors that claimed all three points in front of a crowd of over 2,600, thanks to a goal from captain Kevin Hughes.

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Never forget

North Shields may have won that particular battle, but the war went the way of their hosts as Graham Fenton and Lee Picton led the Mariners to the Northern League title and promotion as part of a quadruple-winning campaign that also featured final wins in the Durham Challenge Cup, Northern League Cup (with a final win against North Shields) and FA Vase.

As he prepares to return to the 1st Cloud Arena in a bid to cause a major FA Trophy upset, Dunston boss McDonald admitted that win against the Mariners is “a moment he will never forget”.

He told The NLP: “It was a big game for the Northern League at the time and South Shields were absolutely flying that season.

“I think there were around 2,500 at the game and I remember it well because there was torrential rain.

“We had a game plan and we sustained a lot of pressure in the game.

“Our captain, Kevin Hughes, he didn’t score many goals in his career, but he scored from a second phase on a set-piece and it was a fantastic result for us.

“It was genuinely a game I will never forget. It’s nine years on, but it’s a game and a moment that I will never forget.”

History

No matter what happens on Saturday afternoon, Dunston’s current crop of players have already written their name into the history books by reaching the second round of the Trophy for the very first time.

There have been some memorable moments along the way after a hat-trick from former Newcastle United youngster Josh Donaldson led McDonald’s side to a 4-1 win against Brighouse Town before Dunston caused two major upsets by sending Northern Premier League Premier Division duo Warrington Rylands and Hebburn Town out of the competition.

McDonald could not hide his pride at guiding Dunston into the second round for the first time in their history – but stressed his players must be ready for a “big challenge” as they look to continue their venture into unchartered territory.

“There is great pride in what we have done in the Trophy this year and we’ve obviously created a little bit of history for the club, which is always nice to look back upon,” explained the former West Allotment Celtic boss.

“Obviously, this is a different test for us, they’re a professional club, at the top end of the National League North, and it’s a big challenge – but it’s a game we are prepared for and one that will give us an opportunity to show what we can do.”

Success

The game will see players on both sides being thrust into action with their former clubs as one-time Mariners duo Phil Turnbull and Craig Baxter prepare to return to the 1st Cloud Arena with Dunston.

They will find one former UTS Stadium favourite in the opposition side as South Shields midfielder Will Jenkins prepares to take on the club where he spent a successful season-long loan during the 2022/23 Northern Premier League East Division campaign.

McDonald is delighted to see all three players being faced with the challenge of taking on their former clubs – but stressed his own side will be completely focused on “giving it a right go”, rather than discussing past achievements.

“It’s great for Phil and Craig to go back to South Shields because they’ve been big parts of the club’s journey up the Non-League pyramid,” he explained.

“It’s a great occasion for those lads and we had Will Jenkins on loan from South Shields for a full season, and he was brilliant for Dunston.

“We would like to hope we have supported him on his journey because it looks like he’s become an integral part of their team, and he’s doing so well.

“That represents success for us because we have helped him get to where he is – but come 3pm on Saturday, it will be all about us and we will be going there to give it a right go.”

READ MORE: South Shields star Will Jenkins reflects on Dunston UTS spell ahead of FA Trophy clash