DUNKIRK FC

It was F.A Vase day again for Dunkirk as again they faced a side from the higher placed NCEL Premier league as Lincoln Moorlands made the trip to the Ron Steel Sports Ground. The home side were also looking to make the 3^rd round of the competition for only the second time in their history. Dunkirk made 2 changes to their starting line-up from last week’s 6-2 win at Ibstock as captain Ben Moore was serving a one match ban and Jamie McKay was unavailable. In came Ross McCaughey at left back and Tim Wilkes also returned to the starting line-up after being out injured for a month. Lincoln have been struggling for form this season and certainly wouldn’t have fancied their chances against a Dunkirk side that remain unbeaten in 11 matches and with 8 straight wins behind them confidence is sky high.

The game got under way and straight away Dunkirk were taking the game to the Moorlands side, Day and Brady worked well down the left side which saw the latter break clear on goal, his low effort to the near post was well saved by the keeper to tip it behind for a corner which was knocked in was met by Soar and his looping header was scrambled off the goal-line. Dunkirk had strong penalty appeals waved away by the referee on 5 minutes when Garmston’s cross struck a Moorlands arm but the excellent referee waved the Dunkirk protest away. Minutes later Man of the Match Shannon Grant found himself clear when his good control with his knee pulled him clear, he only had the goalkeeper to beat but with the Moorlands defender chasing back he took his low effort early but again the goalkeeper Herrick dived to his near post to made a brilliant save. Moorlands had their first effort on goal on 16 minutes Buckley sprayed the ball across field from left to right and picked out Robinson who cut inside and as he fired his powerful effort on goal his team mate Beesley helped the ball on and it just went over the crossbar. Dunkirk had a bit of luck on 24^th minutes when the ball struck the referee and bounced kindly to Wilkes, he helped the ball on looking for Day and as the ball dropped to Gregory his effort was again well saved by the goalkeeper. On 32 minutes Garmston’s corner was again met my Soar and again as it looked to be heading in a combination of the goalkeeper and a Moorlands defender cleared the ball off the goal line. Dunkirk again had strong penalty appeals waved away by the referee as Garmston’s cross struck Buckley’s arm right in front of the Assistant referee but again they both waved the appeals away. Second later though Brady’s cross caused chaos in the Moorlands penalty area as first Day and then Grant were battling in the 6 yard area to scrambled the ball over the line but rugged Moorlands defending scrambled it clear. It was all Dunkirk but on 42 minutes the Dunkirk defence were all over the place when a cross field pass put Coupland clean through, his first touch was poor though which gave Ivanov the opportunity to rush out and dive at his feet to clear the danger with his only action of the first half. Just before half time Dunkirk still found chance to create the opening when Brady left Birdsall for dead and his ball inside picked out Lee Day whose clean strike on goal went straight at the well placed Goalkeeper. Moorlands though did go down the other end and had penalty appeals of their own waved away as the ball looked to strike Robinson on the arm as the ball was hooked towards goal by Garrick but again the referee didn’t want to know.

Half-time 0-0

The second half started much the same as the first with Dunkirk looking to attack and again Brady beat his marker and passed to Grant who fired the ball across the area looking for his strike partner but as the ball came out to Garmston on the right his low strike was again cleared off the goal line this time by Hewitt. The Dunkirk faithful were starting think it was going to be one of those days and that Moorlands were going to get a smash and grab result and in the 49^th minute they nearly went in front, a quick passing move played Garrick through and from just inside the area his wild effort went over when he should have done better. In the 51^st minute though Dunkirk’s elusive goal came, a long ball up field was flicked on by Day which played his strike partner SHANNON GRANT though, Grant was too quick and strong for his marker and as the goalkeeper came rushing out his cool finish across the goalkeeper nestled in the far corner for a much deserved goal. Day then rolled a short corner to Brady and as he cut in to the area his cross was met by Gregory who stretched to head the ball over, when he had Robinson better placed behind him. Still it was all Dunkirk, first Day’s turn and effort went just wide of the far post and then Wilkes looping header sailed harmlessly over. In the 64^th minute Gregory’s vicious effort struck the post and dropped kindly into the goalkeeper’s arms but in the 71^st minute they stretched their advantage, Brady sprayed the ball 50 yards down the channel with the outside of his boot which played in Day, he got to the bye-line took a touch before crossing the ball to his strike partner SHANNON GRANT who's volley from inside the area went through the keepers legs for his second of the afternoon to cap his excellent performance with a brace. Dunkirk made a change when Brady was replaced by White and immediately the change paid off, again Day was involved he held the ball up on halfway before playing a precise ball behind the Lincoln defence to LAVELL WHITE who from outside the penalty area his emphatic finish went into the top corner to seal a dominant Dunkirk display. Lincoln Moorlands did pull a goal back in the 88^th minute though when a cross from the left side picked out BEESLEY and his side foot effort went into the corner for a consolation goal for the Lincolnshire club.

DUNKIRK

1. N Ivanov 2. P Hopkinson 3. R McCaughey 4. T Wilkes 5. D Soar 6. D Robinson 7. D Garmston 8. A Gregory 9. S Grant 10. L Day 11. A Brady 12. L White 14. J Westcarr 15. L Beck 16. A Frawley GK J Want

LINCOLN MOORLANDS

1. L Herrick 2. S Birdsall 3. A Hewitt 4. J Mcgovern 5. R Creane 6. A Gilbert 7. T Garrick 8. N Robinson 9. L Beesley 10. S Coupland 11. A Buckley 12. J Bowden 14. B Griffith 15. T Parker 16. W Smith

Referee - Mr C Grundy - Assistants Mr T Horton & Mr L Freeman

Ibstock was the scene for Dunkirk as they looked to keep the pressure on the top two sides Heanor Town and Bardon Hill Sports who both had midweek wins. Confidence in the Dunkirk camp was high though as last week’s 5-3 defeat of second placed Gedling MW took their unbeaten run to 10 matches but as per usual changes were made to the starting line-up. Hopkinson and Day both returned after being unavailable last week and there was a first start of the season for new signing Dwayne Soar after he returned to the club after a spell in the Notts Senior League with Hucknall Rolls Leisure. Out went top scorer Westcarr and Ross McCaughey who both had to settle for place on the bench alongside Lee Beck who also missed last week’s win at Gedling MW. Paul McCaughey though returned to the reserves after his excellent performance last week in his first start of the season. The game kicked off and Ibstock started brightly as they put early pressure on the Dunkirk defence but it was Dunkirk who had the first opportunity, McKay knocked the ball long which went behind the Ibstock defence, Lee Day was quickest onto it which saw him clear on goal but from the edge of the area his poor first touch sailed harmlessly through to the goalkeeper who gathered with ease. Ibstock’s first effort on goal came from Clarke who from 25 yards dragged his effort just wide of the post. Dunkirk though went into the lead on 7 minutes, McKay’s cross field pass put Garmston through down the right side, he was closed down quickly but the Dunkirk wide man won a corner which he whipped in himself, the ball was met by a mass of bodies but the Ibstock goalkeeper manage to palm the ball clear but only to DWAYNE SOAR who’s looping header went over everybody and in the net for his first goal of the season. On 15 minutes Ibstock had a great chance to get the equaliser, Ward skipped past McKay and his scooped pass put Lock clear through on Ivanov’s goal, his first effort though was brilliant saved by the diving Dunkirk goalkeeper and as the rebound came back to the Ibstock forward Ivanov was again alert to gather as his feet and snub the danger out. Dunkirk were looking the more likely to extend their lead and on 32 minutes Grant was unlucky on 2 occasions, first Soar’s cross dropped to the big Dunkirk strikers feet and his good control, turn and vicious effort was blocked by the Ibstock defender as it was heading for the corner of the net and then second later Garmston’s cross again picked him out but his diving header went wide. A great Dunkirk move nearly put them 2 goals in front; Day’s cross was exquisitely helped on by Garmston to Gregory who from inside the area could only toe the ball wide when under pressure. In the 37^th minute though Dunkirk were awarded a penalty, good play came from Brady when he cut inside and fired his effort on goal, the ball though spun into the path of Gregory and his quick pass came to Day with his back to goal inside the penalty area, Springthorpe for Ibstock though went straight through the back of Day and the Dunkirk striker brushed himself down to fire the ball into the corner past the diving goalkeeper to make the score 2-0. 2 minutes later it was nearly 3-0, Shannon Grant ran the Ibstock captain Smith ragged down the left side he got the ball to the bye-line and picked out his strike partner Day on the penalty spot, Day’s good first touch and quick feet created the opening and his powerful strike went straight at the goalkeeper who’s instinct save with his shoulder diverted the ball over the crossbar. Dunkirk though did get a third goal before the break, Gregory’s straight ball put Day through on goal, the Ibstock goalkeeper came rushing out but his clearance went only to AIDEN BRADY who quickly got the ball under control and continued into the area, with the goalkeeper miles off his goal line though his early strike went past the defender on the line to put Dunkirk into a commanding half-time lead.

Dunkirk made the short trip across Nottingham to play this 2^nd vs. 3^rd match. The game was thrown into disarray though before the match as one of the assistant referee’s didn’t show up but kindly a member of the Gedling MW setup agreed to run the line. Dunkirk were forced to make 3 changes to the side that saw off Holbrook MW last week as Hopkinson and Beck were both unavailable and Lee Day also had picked up and untimely suspension. In came top goal scorer Jarrod Westcarr, Jamie McKay and Paul McCaughey who made his first appearance of the season against his former club. The game kicked off and with the first effort of the game Gedling had the ball in the net their captain Payne struck his effort low which rebounded of Ivanov’s chest and dropped to Hatfield but as he stroked the ball home his celebrations were cut short as he was in an offside position. On 4 minutes the game was turned on its head though, Dave Robinson went into a 50/50 challenge with Walton and the Gedling midfielder's boot caught Robinson in the groin area, Robinson was seething as his boot was so high and with Walton still on the floor he looked to stamp on the Gedling player and was subsequently sent from the field of play. Dunkirk now looked to be well up against it against a side that have only lost once in the league at home all season but on 7 minutes they raced into the lead, Garmston sprayed the ball out to the right side to JARROD WESTCARR who got to the bye-line he was faced by Ison, but the Dunkirk hit man ghosted past his marker and as he cut inside he smashed the ball to the near post and into the bottom corner amid jubilant Dunkirk celebrations. 5 minutes later it was 2-0 to the 10 man side, Westcarr and McKay worked the ball well down the right side with the latter being fouled 20 yards from goal. Up stepped DARREN GARMSTON whose perfect freekick had the goalkeeper scampering across his goal line, he did manage to get a hand to it but the ball rebounded off the inside of the post to stun Gedling. Former Dunkirk man Ison was then yellow carded on 17 minutes for a terrible tackle on Westcarr. Gedling were looking a very little threat but on 27 minutes they played the ball well when they got it out to the right flank, the Gedling wide man’s cross looked to pick out Hatfield at the far post but great defending by Paul McCaughey cleared the danger as he headed it behind. Minutes later Walton’s cross dropped to Marsh who got the ball under but his side foot effort went just wide of the Dunkirk goal. Gedling were now having their best spell of the game when first a long throw from Hatfield was flicked on by Payne, the ball looked to be heading in as it looped into the air but Ivanov leaped to tip the ball behind and from the resulting corner Walton’s quality cross deceived everybody as it flashed across goal and went behind. Just before half-time a long hopeful ball nearly put Gedling through as Ross McCaughey was put under pressure from Hatfield, he nicked the ball off the Dunkirk defender but quality defending from captain Ben Moore denied the Gedling forward the chance to get an effort on goal. Still there was time for a further Dunkirk chance when they also knocked the ball long, Walker in the Gedling goal came rushing out but only headed the ball into the path of Garmston, he quickly got the ball under control and with the goalkeeper off his line he tried to smash the ball in from 35 yards but again a late tackle from Ison, his third of the afternoon resulted in a Dunkirk free kick that was saved by the goalkeeper.

Half-time - 0-2

Gedling made a triple half-time change as they tried to get back in the game off went Williams, Middleton and the fortunate Ison and they were replaced by Brown, Nightingale and Pembleton. On 49 minutes the 10 men increased their lead Westcarr broke clear and his timely pass played AIDEN BRADY through and his cool finish went into the bottom corner of the net and although the stand in linesman flag was up for offside the referee was in a good position and over ruled his assistant to give the goal. A minute later Dunkirk stormed into 4 goal lead again Westcarr broke clear, this time down the right side his early ball picked out ANTHONY GREGORY who from inside the penalty area he slid the ball under the onrushing keeper to really dent the home sides cause. On 56 minutes Gedling did pull a goal back when Walton’s set piece picked out the unmarked PAYNE and his free header back across goal found the corner to give Gedling a tad of hope. Dunkirk though still looked like they had goals in them and on 59 minutes a solo run from Gregory ended when he was clattered down in the penalty area by Marsh and although Grant slid the ball home the referee had already given a penalty. Up stepped WESTCARR to fire the ball above the diving goalkeeper for his second of the afternoon and his 10^th of the season and regain Dunkirk’s four goal advantage.  Gedling tried to reply quickly when Pembleton’s spinning shot was well gathered by the diving Ivanov and in the 68^th minute they were awarded a penalty themselves, Paul McCaughey was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball when it was smashed towards his face from 2 yards away, WALTON sent Ivanov the wrong way from the spot. In the 74^th minute Gedling had a glimmer of hope when they pulled another goal back, Ross McCaughey fouled Martt on the right side of the area, again Walton’s cross was met by with a free header, this time substitute BROWN met the ball to find the inside netting to set up what looked to be an interesting final 15 minutes but Gedling didn’t really press Dunkirk in these stages and the away side deservedly went away with the points.

GEDLING MW

1. L Walker 2. R Martt 3. G Russell 4. M Williams 5. R Marsh 6. C Ison 7. C Hall 8. B Payne 9. G Walton 10. W Hatfield 11. B Middleton 12. C Brown 14. D Osbourne 15. C Nightingale 16. M Pembleton 17. C Holmes

DUNKIRK

1. N Ivanov 2. P McCaughey 3. R McCaughey 4. J McKay 5. B Moore 6. D Robinson 7. D Garmston 8. A Gregory 9. S Grant 10. J Westcarr 18. A Brady 12. T Wilkes 14. A Frawley 15. D Taylor

Dunkirk's good form continued when the saw off Holbrook MW 1-0 in this East Midland Counties match. In a tight game which was goaless at half-time upstepped strtiker Lee Day to fire us the 3 points and leave a strong Holbrook MW side in a midtable league position. Dunkirk had the better of the chances in this very windy affair and deserved the points in this very scrappy match. The win leaves in 3rd poitsion but with games in hand it could see us top the table.

A much changed Dunkirk side saw off Hinckley Downes and earnt us a home quarter final tie against Borrowash Victoria. Dunkirk went in at the break a goal behind as Curtis Smith penalty put the Leicestershire side in the lead. After the break though goals from Lee Day and a first for the club from Alex Clarson put us through to the next round. 

After last week’s tough F.A Vase match which went into extra-time, Dunkirk again expected to be in for a tough afternoon when 4^th placed Bardon Hill Sports made the trip to the Ron Steel Sports Ground. Dunkirk named the same starting 11 that saw them progress to the second round proper of the F.A Vase where they will face Lincoln Moorlands.

Bardon Hill Sports have had a massive upturn in fortunes as last season they finished second to bottom in the table. Since last season’s torrid 1^st season in step 6 football they have had a huge influx of players which has seen them reach the dizzy heights of 4^th place in the table and they also had a good run in the F.A Cup beating the likes of Arnold Town, Coleville Town and Barton Town Old Boys along the way before they crashed out of the competition losing 8-0 against Conference North Side Northwich Victroria.

In the opening exchanges both sides were getting shots on goal which were easily deal with by the goalkeepers, Dunkirk though created the first real opportunity when Grant broke down the right side, he used his pace and strength to see off his marker before picking out the onrushing Wilkes whose side foot effort from the edge of the area deflected off a Bardon defender and went just wide of the upright. Bardon Hill’s

Duffy then fizzed a great strike straight down the throat of the Dunkirk goalkeeper Ivanov which he easily dealt with. In the 23^rd minute Surridge fouled Grant 25 yards from goal, up stepped Garmston and his low curling effort beat the diving goalkeeper but unfortunalty for Dunkirk the ball rebounded off the inside of the post and as the ball went across the open goal Bardon scrambled it clear. Bardon then replied when Beck fouled Hebbard 25 yards from goal, Duffy’s powerful free-kick flew past the wall but Ivanov in the Dunkirk goal dived to superbly tip it away. Bardon’s main threat was coming from set pieces and Dunkirk wasn’t helping themselves by constantly giving freekicks away in dangerous areas and on 30 minutes Hopkinson fouled Garner near the corner flag, Duffy whipped the free kick into the penalty area and picked out Griffiths but his powerful free header went over. Dunkirk were now having a decent spell as first McKay’s cross struck Westcarr on the chest which was heading in but as the ball was scrambled clear it was again knocked back in and came to Ben Moore but he dragged his effort wide of the far post. White then did well for Dunkirk when he cut into the area and as he was challenged the ball spun to Grant whose low strike was fumbled behind by the Bardon goalkeeper.

Half-time 0-0

The first action of the second half fell Bardon Hill’s way when Hebberd got to the bye-line and his cross was palmed down by Ivanov to Matt Garner and with the goal gaping he snatched at his effort and slashed the ball wide. On 58 minutes Hopkinson battled hard to win the ball back for Dunkirk and played the ball out to Garmston, he got to the line and his low cross was met by the onrushing Westcarr and from the edge of the 6 yard area he got under the ball and fired his volley well over the crossbar when he should have done better. Bardon then broke through the Dunkirk defence when a straight ball put Mckay in trouble, as he controlled the ball his hooked clearance only came to Kyle Robinson and his volley went over. Dunkirk then made a double change when Westcarr and White were both replaced by Lee Day and the returning Anthony Gregory. Gregory was immediately involved when Garmston’s corner was met by the Dunkirk substitute but his header went over. Bardon were then pressing to get the elusive winner, but Dunkirk countered when Ivanov bowled the ball out to Gregory he charged through the field and then sprayed the ball out to Garmston who intern gave it back to Gregory but his strike went straight at the goalkeeper who held on. The game really was in the balance as it could have gone either way but in the 75^th minute a twice taken free-kick from Bardon’s Duffy was heading into the top corner but again Ivanov superbly dived to claw the ball away. Bardon were now having their best spell of the game and Duffy was again involved when his cross field pass picked out Hawker he then gave it to Garner but when he thought he had the goal at his mercy Lee Beck timed his tackle to perfection to get the ball behind for a corner. Dunkirk’s McKay then floated the ball into the penalty area and picked out Gregory who nearly put Dunkirk in the lead when his good control and strike beat the goalkeeper but the ball rebounded off the post to frustrate Dunkirk for a second time this afternoon. Dunkirk then suffered a late scare when Garner played Kyle Robinson through his name sake Dave Robinson for Dunkirk held him off though but as he played the ball back to Ivanov his poor clearance went straight to Duffy but his powerful strike went straight at the Dunkirk goalkeeper who recovered quickly to get back into position and gather the ball. Just when the game looked to be ending all square Dunkirk broke the Bardon Hill hearts when in injury time the ball came out to DARREN GARMSTON he cut inside and with his left foot his low strike looked to be rolling safely into the goalkeepers arms but when he dived down low to gather he made a real hash of things as the ball went straight through his arms to give the Dunkirk wide man a fortuitous goal for his first of the season.  The solid Bardon side were gutted by this but they responded quickly when again Duffy smashed a low effort on goal but again the Leicester side found Ivanov in inspired form as he tipped the ball behind to keep the points safe for the “Boatmen.”

DUNKIRK

1. N Ivanov 2. P Hopkinson 3. J Mckay 4. T Wilkes 5. L Beck 6. D Robinson 7. D Garmston 8. B Moore 9. S Grant 10. J Westcarr 11. L White 12. L Day 14. A Gregory 15. A Clarson 16. R McCaughey

BARDON HILL SPORTS

1. A Harris 2. S Surridge 3. A Griffiths 4. D Carton 5. S Moult 6. J Duffy 7. L Hebberd 8. D Partner 9. M Garner 10. K Robinson 11. R Hawker 12. K Ward 14. D Piper 15. M Coles 16. S Telfer 17. J Manning

REREREE – Mr J Bateman

ASSISTANTS – Mr P Bamford & Mr C Hunter

After last week’s 6-0 thrashing over St Andrews in the league Dunkirk were back in F.A Vase action looking to continue their cup heroics as in the Second Preliminary Round win over Heanor Town. Today’s visitors will have fond memories of making the trip down to the Ron Steel Sports Ground as earlier in the season they knocked us out of the F.A Cup at the Extra Preliminary Round stage with a late 3-1 win. Dunkirk made 2 changes from last week’s league win, skipper Andy Frawley was out with a hamstring injury and Ross McCaughey had to settle for a place on the substitute’s bench as managers Harbottle and Upton shuffled their side. Jamie McKay dropped to left back and Tim Wilkes moved into his more natural midfield position, this gave the gaffers the chance to put Moore and Beck straight in the side after being missing through holidays.

In blustery conditions the game kicked off and Winterton started the brighter using the elements to their advantage, they won a succession of corners which failed to trouble Ivanov in the Dunkirk goal. On 8 minutes though Danny Frost for Winterton cut inside Mckay and continued on goal but from 25 yards out his powerful strike went well over the crossbar. Dunkirk were coping superbly with the conditions as the wind was straight in their faces and they created their first real chance on 23 minutes, skipper Ben Moore sprayed the ball out wide to Lavell White who’s audacious back heel came to Shannon Grant, he beat his marker down the left side and his pull back came back to White who from inside the area his effort deflected just wide of the near post for a corner. On 32 minutes Westcarr lost possession of the ball on half-way, the Dunkirk management were screaming for an earlier foul on Grant but Frost for Winterton continued and again broke clear, his powerful strike though from 30 yards again  failed to trouble Ivanov as it flashed wide. Dunkirk immediately replied when Grant’s low effort was spilled by the keeper and as Westcarr came flying in, Free in the Winterton goal held on at the second attempt to smother the ball. Both sides were cancelling each other out which made chances few and far between and they went in at the break goal less. 

Half-time 0-0

The wind finally started to settle down and in the 50^th minute Dunkirk nearly went in front, a big kick from Ivanov put Fell in trouble, he let the ball run through to his goalkeeper who made a real hash of things as he tried to let it run behind, Westcarr was aware to this though and got to the ball first to keep it in play, he cut back and managed to get a shot on goal which was well saved by the Winterton keeper as he dived to save with his legs and get the ball out for a corner. Grant then got to the bye-line and his cross nearly picked out the onrushing Moore who was inches away from putting his side in the lead as the cross went behind. Winterton were looking nothing like the side that beat us earlier in the season but this was more to the fact that Dunkirk were working harder than them in the superb team performance and in the 58^th minute Moore and Wilkes doubled up to win the ball back, and the latter’s through ball put Westcarr clear, he was on the edge of the area and as he pulled the trigger he was pulled back but the referee waved away the Dunkirk protests and his effort went wide. Winterton made a change on 72 minutes when Frost was replaced by Milligan and he was immediately involved when Cooper got to the bye-line and his pull back came to the Winterton substitute who from the edge of the penalty area, with his first touch smashed his wild effort over when he should have done better. 

Dunkirk then made a change when Day was introduced in place of the hardworking Grant and he was also involved straight away, Moore and McKay worked the ball on the left side and McKay’s cross picked out the Dunkirk hit man at the far post but his unchallenged header failed to trouble the goalkeeper. In the 86^th minute Lavell White rode a couple a challenges and was eventually fouled on the edge of the area, Garmston’s dipping free kick though was easily saved by the goalkeeper and the game went to extra time.

Full-time 0-0 

Dunkirk came out the traps the faster and a minute into extra-time McKay’s square ball picked out Moore who was challenged, the ball ran through to Day who when under pressure only had the keeper to beat, he only got a mild touch on the ball though as he tried to lift it over the Free in the Winterton goal and as the ball bounced around the penalty area Winterton scrambled it clear. In the 98^th minute Jamie Mckay’s through ball played JARROD WESTCARR clean through on goal, the inform Dunkirk top goal scorer remained composed and slotted the ball past the keeper and into the net to put Dunkirk into a deserved lead. Dunkirk were now brimming with confidence and in the 100^th minute White cut inside and his low strike deflected off a Winterton defender and went agonisingly wide of the diving goalkeeper’s post as Dunkirk looked to finish off the North Lincolnshire side. A minute later though Winterton broke clear when Moore lost possession when a quick incisive move played Severn through down the left side, he cut across into the area but his low effort was easily saved by the diving Ivanov at his near post. Dunkirk were by far the better side in extra-time and Garmston’s ball down the right touchline played Westcarr clear, he took a touch and his cross picked out Tim Wilkes who’s header went just wide of the far post.

Half-time Extra-time 1-0 

The Dunkirk’s forwards pace was causing a tired Winterton defence trouble and in the 112^th minute the moved of the match sealed the tie for Dunkirk, they broke clear down the right side through Westcarr and as the ball spun off to Day his incisive pass played Moore through, he took a touch which gave the defender the opportunity to get back in, but his quality curling effort went past him and over the diving goalkeeper to nestle in the top corner to finish Winterton off. The NCEL Premier side though did fashion one final chance when in the 115^th minute a long ball up field came to Fell who pulled the ball across to Northen, the Winterton skipper’s effort though crashed against the post and went behind. With only 2 minutes to go Winterton’s frustrating afternoon got even worst when Milligan was sent off for a terrible tackle on Moore.

DUNKIRK

1. N Ivanov 2. P Hopkinson 3. J Mckay 4. B Moore 5. L Beck 6. D Robinson 7. D Garmston 8. T Wilkes 9. S Grant 10. J Westcarr 11. L White 12. R McCaughey 14. A Clarson 15. D Clark 16. L Day 17. D Taylor GK J Want 

WINTERTON RANGERS

1. D Free 2. G Cooper 3. G Severn 4. R Sanderson 5. M Plant 6. M Richardson 7. D Fell 8. D Frost 9. G Jones 10. R Northen 11. D Beecham 12. D Milligan 14. J O’Neil 15. C Mellor

REFEREE – Mr Geoff Law

Assistants – Miss Una Hong & Mr Steve Kings

Dunkirk were back in league action after Tuesday night F.A Vase heroics. They were forced to make 2 changes to the starting line up though with both Lee Beck and Ben Moore away on holiday. In came Jamie McKay for his first start for the club after his move from Holwell Sports. Also returning to the starting eleven was Tim Wilkes as he had also been missing due to a holiday. Another new signing Dominic Clark had to settle for a place on the substitutes alongside Reserve team manager Barry Campbell who has signed as defensive cover.

The first effort on goal fell to Dunkirk, Frawley played the ball inside to McKay as he ran onto it his touch lifted the ball off the ground and his dipping volley just dropped over. St Andrews then replied when Will Robinson played the ball to the St Andrews top goal scorer Preston he showed good feet and from just outside the area his powerful strike went straight at Ivanov. St Andrews were starting to look more likely to make the breakthrough and as they played the ball across field from the left side it came to Sansome as Will Robinson dummy parted the Dunkirk defence, Samsome’s strike though was dragged wide. Dunkirk were struggling to get to grips all over the field and again St Andrews threatened, when a ball down the left side again played in Preston, the big St Andrews striker saw Ivanov off his goal-line , but his dipping effort went wide of the far post. Dunkirk then had penalty appeals waved away by the referee as Garmston’s cross from the right picked out Wilkes, it looked to strike a St Andrews arm he he knocked it towards goal but the referee didn’t want to know, the ball then came back out to Westcarr but his low strike struck a Dunkirk player as it looked to be heading in and the chance had gone. In the 13^th minute though Dunkirk did go into the lead, McKay won a corner for Dunkirk which was knocked in by Garmston to the near post and met by TIM WILKES who helped the ball towards goal, it struck a St Andrews as it was heading in but Wilkes had got enough on it to help it over the goal line. In the 21^st minute a straight ball down the right side had Dunkirk in all sorts of trouble, Kelvin Atkins broke clear, he turned Wilkes one way and they another before firing his curling effort just wide of Ivanov’s far post via a slight deflection off Wilkes outstretched boot. Dunkirk immediately replied when White saw the St Andrews goalkeeper Winston off his goal line, his dinked effort though was clawed away from the keeper from just under his cross bar. Garmston’s corner dropped to the feet of Frawley, with his back to goal though his audacious back heel was cleared off the line, the bits came out to Lavell White who’s powerful strike was handled on the goal line by Rob Atkins who was subsequently sent from the field of play and a penalty was awarded, WHITE stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and give Dunkirk an early 2 goal lead. The Dunkirk skipper Frawley had to be replaced after pulling his hamstring in the build up to the goal, he was replaced by Clarson. Dunkirk nearly made it 3-0 on 34 minutes, chances from Westcarr, White and Garmston all went begging as St Andrews scrambled it clear when the ball was bouncing around the penalty area. It was three though on 39 minutes when Clarson’s cross field pass was dummied by White, it gave JAMIE McKAY the opportunity to run clear to coolly slot the ball past the keeper and firmly put Dunkirk in the driving seat at the break.

Half-time 3-0

During the opening minutes of the second half St Andrews came forward with a bit of purpose but didn’t really test the Dunkirk goalkeeper but in the 49^th minute as they pressed on Robinson’s prefect ball down the right channel played White through, he continued into the area and rolled the ball on a plate for JARROD WESTCARR to smash the ball into the roof of the net to finally kill 10 man St Andrews off. It was 5-0 on 53 minutes the St Andrews keeper rolled the ball short to Daryl Matts, he was closed down quickly by SHANNON GRANT who stole the ball off him as he tried to play it out wide, the keeper was now left wide open as he was off his goal line, so Grant obliged when his perfect lob found the corner of the net for a much deserved goal. This was to be Grant’s last action of the game and he was replaced by new signing Clark in a straight swap upfront. Clark was immediately involved, Westcarr again broke through and laid the ball to his new strike partner, Clark showed great feet and from just inside the area his power strike just went over. Dunkirk were creating chances for fun and it was now Clarson’s turn to have an effort on goal, Garmston’s cross field pass was brought down by the Dunkirk wide man but his curling effort also went just over. Dunkirk finished the afternoon’s scoring in the 64^th minute when WESTCARR was played through by Robinson he only had the keeper to beat and his strike across him was too strong for Winston who got a hand to it but it found the corner for his second of the afternoon. Reggie Royes was then introduced for a much needed run out in place of Garmston. Minutes later McCaughey’s speculative effort was them tipped away from the goalkeeper for a corner which was whipped in by Clarson, it was met by Clark who was unmarked but his header went just wide of the far post. The St Andrews strikers were nonexistent during the second half as a dominant display from Dunkirk contained the 10 men to their own half and in the 87^th minute substitute Royes skinned Allen and flashed the ball across goal it came to Westcarr but he could only poke the ball wide of the far post.

DUNKIRK

1. N Ivanov 2. P Hopkinson 3. R McCaughey 4. J McKay 5. T Wilkes 6. D Robinson 7. D Garmston 8. A Frawley 9. S Grant 10. J Westcarr 11. L White 12. A Clarson 14. D Clark 15. R Royes 16. B Campbell

ST ANDREWS

1. K Winston 16. L Day 3. D Matts 4. R Parry 5. T Sansome 6. R Atkins 7. W Robinson 8. S Gillespie 9. A Preston 10. K Atkins 11. A Day 12. S Smith 14. A Allen 15. R Roberts 0- H Smith

Referee – Mr L Snodden

Assistants – Mr W Porter & Mr M Precious

Dunkirk and Heanor had to do it all again after Saturdays thriller on Saturday ended in a 4-4 draw after extra-time. Heanor would have been hoping that they didn’t receive the same battering that they did earlier in the season in their East Midlands Counties visit to the Ron Steel Sports when in late August they lost 5-1. From Saturdays game for the first time I think ever, Mangers Dave Harbottle and Ian Upton were able to field the exact same side for the second game in succession and they did go with that side, as Clarson, Royes, McKay and Taylor all had to settle for a place on the bench for a second successive game. Heanor made 3 changes to their line-up missing were Saxby and Williams, but George Walker dropped down to the bench, in came Ogrizovic in goal, Kennerdale and Randall who scored on Saturday to make the scored 4-4.

The first effort of the game fell to Dunkirk when on 6 minutes they stormed into the lead, first Garmston’s corner dropped to Moore at the near post who’s effort was blocked, the ball spun back out to Garmston on the right who’s cross back in hit Biggs arm and a free kick was awarded, Garmston’s set piece went deep to the far post and as it was cleared out it only came to BEN MOORE who toe pocked the ball across the goalkeeper and it nestled in the top corner giving the keeper no chance. Heanor were slowly getting back into the game and had a spell around the Dunkirk area without threatening, on one occasion Kay beat McCaughey down the right but dangerous cross was well headed behind at his near post by Beck to clear the danger for Dunkirk. On 14 minutes Heanor were left fuming when a back pass from Beck to Ivanov was miss-kicked from the Dunkirk goalkeeper, as it spun off his foot, luckily for him Robinson was on hand to spare his blushes but as he chested it down it looked to strike his arm, with the Heanor bench and players going crazy, claiming a penalty the referee didn’t want to know and play continued. Heanor did have the ball in the net on 16 minutes when Kennerdale knocked it in from the angle but he was adjudged to be in an offside position and it was chalked off. Just a minute later Dunkirk doubled their advantage, Grant was fouled wide on the left side, skipper Andy Frawley knocked his brilliant free-kick flat across the area and it was met by BEN MOORE whose flicked header went in the corner for his second goal of the game and stun their visitors. Heanor replied though immediately and a neat bit of football ended when Mason’s snap shot went wide of the far post. On 20 minutes Dunkirk nearly raced into a 3 goal lead, good hold up play from Grant played in Wetscarr, he got the ball out wide early to Garmston who beat his marker with ease and got the bye-line before smashing the ball across goal, 2 goal hero Moore came flying in and he was inches away from a tap-in to complete his first half hat-trick as the ball went behind. Still Dunkirk were looking more likely to extend their lead Grant battled hard to play in his strike partner Westcarr down the left side, his pace took him clear and as hit cut in, from the angle his effort was saved by the outrushing goalkeepers legs and the chance had gone. Kennerdale was then fouled on 28 minutes, Paddy Sneath stepped up and from 25 yards out his freekick went straight at Ivanov, it was a disappointing effort from the Heanor skipper who had put them in the lead on Saturday, from a set piece. Still Heanor were having good spells but wasn’t threatening the Dunkirk goal as the Dunkirk defence kept snubbing them out while at the other end Dunkirk were creating good chances for fun, a Heanor defender while on the ground tried to knock the ball back to his own goalkeeper, the referee’s assistant amazingly flagged for offside but Grant and Westcarr continued and in the end they made a mess of things as both of their chances were missed as they was through on goal. Dunkirk were looking quite comfortable at the back but on 35 minutes a vicious effort from Webster deflected off the top of a Dunkirk head and looked to be heading into the roof of the net but a reaction save from Ivanov tipped it over the crossbar. This gave Heanor the lift they needed and a long boot up field had Ivanov in trouble when he was slow off his goal line, Webster challenged and the ball was heading towards goal, luckily for Dunkirk though, Beck raced back to clear the danger and put it behind. On 44 minutes though Heanor got themselves back in the game, a mix-up by the Dunkirk defence gave Kennerdale the opportunity to lay the ball into the onrushing CALLUM MASON whose power drive from 25 yards flashed past the unsighted Ivanov and into the net to put this cup-tie back in the balance.

Half-time 2-1

The second half started with a really high pace with end to end action, first Westcarr burned the Heanor defence down the right side for pace but from a good position he over hit his cross, Heanor countered down their right side and as the cross came to Biggs he dragged his effort behind. Play finally settle down in the evenly matched battle and in the 57^th minute a Dunkirk freekick was knocked into the penalty area Robinson lept and met the ball with a firm header while under pressure from the goalkeeper, the ball though dropped just over. Heanor were then awarded a free kick as Frawley handled just outside the area, the cross was knocked in and as it bounced around just in front of goal their wasn’t a Heanor player around to tap the ball in and Dunkirk scrambled it clear. Frawley then finished a decent move when his cross-shot went into the far corner of the net but in the build up the official saw a foul and it was disallowed. Heanor were now looking the more likely to get the next goal of the game as only some last ditch defending at times denied them. Both sides were getting extremely tired and both managers made changes as Clarson came on for Dunkirk in place of White and the tall Heanor striker Walker came on to try and get his side back in the game. The Heanor substitution almost paid off when in the 83^rd minute a cross field pass put Ivanov in trouble, as the Heanor substitute challenged him, Ivanov missed the ball and luckily for Dunkirk it dropped behind for a goalkick. Dunkirk were now inviting Heanor onto them and were mainly playing on the counter attack trying to use their pace but in the dyeing minutes Heanor were laying seize on the Dunkirk goal, first Kay’s header was wonderfully tipped away from Ivanov, the ball fell to a Heanor player and as he shot he looked to have been hacked down from behind but again the referee said no penalty. Heanor were putting immense pressure on the Dunkirk goal but they all remained strong to set up a first round proper tie against our F.A Cup foes Winterton Rangers a week on Saturday.

DUNKIRK

1. N Ivanov 2. P Hopkinson 3. R McCaughey 4. A Frawley 5. L Beck 6. D Robinson 7. D Garmston 8. B Moore 9. S Grant 10. J Westcarr 11. L White 12. R Royes 14. A Clarson 15. J McKay 16. D Taylor.

HEANOR TOWN

1. S Ogrizovic 2. L Stevenson 3. A Biggs 4. C Mason 5. P Sneath 6. A Kay 7. G Webster 8. A Grayson 9. G Wells 10. N Kennerdale 11. D Randall 12. G Walker 13. D Roberts 14. R Benwell 15. A Bedward 16. D Gordon

REFEREE – MR S GARNER

ASSISTANTS – MR S HARE & MR M FRYER

It was F.A Vase weekend and Dunkirk made the short trip to league rivals Heanor Town in this 2^nd Qualifying Round tie. Dunkirk were forced to make 2 changes to their starting line up which also meant a reshuffle of the pack as influential midfielders Gregory and Wilkes were both unavailable so back into the side came McCaughey in his usual left back position and also returning to the starting 11 was Westcarr after netting in his previous 2 matches. Alex Clarson who had been sitting out a 2 week ban also returned but had to settle for a place on the substitute’s bench alongside new signing Jamie McKay after his move from Holwell Sports.

The game kicked off and the first effort of the game came Dunkirk’s way but Westcarr’s effort was easily saved by Saxby. On 10 minutes Heanor’s first real effort on goal came when Wells cross was headed by Williams and his flicked header went just wide of the far post when he was well placed. Heanor went into the lead on 16 minutes when Robinson was harshly penalised for a foul on Williams just outside the penalty area, the Heanor captain PADDY SNEATH stepped up and his well struck effort was too strong for Ivanov, who got a hand to the ball but couldn’t keep it out. Heanor though couldn’t hold onto their lead for long when 4 minutes later Dunkirk were level Ivanov’s goal-kick was flicked on by Grant to Westcarr who in turn played in LAVELL WHITE who from just inside the area his low strike went through the diving Saxby legs and into the net. The referee was constantly stopping the game at every opportunity possible which was frustrating both sides throughout and during the first half of the game the tempo wasn’t very high mainly due to this which suited Heanor more than their visitors and on 23 minutes they went back into the lead, a corner from the Heanor right was whipped to the far post and met by WILLIAMS who’s free header went into the roof of the net. Heanor game plan was get the ball forward at every opportunity as their defenders were just booming the ball forward onto the Dunkirk defence and just before half-time it nearly paid off for them, Robinson for Dunkirk got the ball under control from a long punt forward but as he was closed down his poor ball out right put Hopkinson in trouble, he was closed down quickly by Wells who played the ball into Williams on the edge of the area, he only had Ivanov to beat but his power-drive went well over the crossbar.  

Half-time – 2-1

Dunkirk finally got a bit of tempo in the game and started knocking the ball around better but it wasn’t until the 68^th minute that the equaliser came, Frawley’s free kick into the penalty area was picked up by LavellWhite who got the ball under control, his shot across goal though dropped to the feet of JARROD WESTCARR who from the edge of the 6 yard box pocked the ball in to give Dunkirk the lifeline they needed. The game was now hotting up and it could have gone either way, Wells for Heanor beat Hopkinson down the left-side he cut across on the angle and had 2 players to his right ready to tap the ball home but the Dunkirk keeper Ivanov came rushing out to delay him, when Wells finally played the ball across Hopkinson was on hand to rush back to dive in and block the cross and get it out for a corner which when knocked in was met by Kay who’s header just went over the crossbar. Dunkirk then had a great chance to take the lead for the first time in the 77^th minute, the ball was played in from the right side which was flicked on by Moore it fell to Shannon Grant who took a touch and with only he keeper to beat his low strike was saved by Saxby’s legs and the chance had gone. Heanor looked to be tiring more than Dunkirk and the “Boatmen” were now looking to turn the screw as they were starting to create chance after chance but in the 80^th minute again the ball came in from the right and as it dropped to Westcarr he got minimal contact on the ball but it still looked to be heading in the corner but the diving Saxby got a hand to it to flick it away. Heanor were now playing on the counter attack and it paid off for them when in the 82^nd minute they cleared the ball out to Williams down the right side he ran at Beck leaving him for dead before pulling the ball back to GRAYSON who’s strike back across goal went in the net to what looked to be a Heanor winner. Both sides then made changes as Dunkirk were looking to get back in the game as quick as they can, Clarson came on for Hopkinson and Heanor replaced the dangerous Williams as they tried to hold onto the lead that they had just taken. Dunkirk were now pushing forward and they earnt themselves a corner in the 90^th minute, Garmston whipped it the near post and as everyone challenged it flicked off a Heanor head towards his own goal, it looked to cross the goal-line, but with many Dunkirk players appealing, DAVE ROBINSON didn’t wait around and he smashed the ball in for a third equaliser of the afternoon for Dunkirk. Still there were chances for both sides to snatch the tie and Stevenson played Walker clean though on goal, he only had Ivanov to beat but as he tried to round the Dunkirk keeper he dived down low to snatch the ball from his feet to frustrate the vocal Heanor crowd. Then down the other end again a corner cause Heanor trouble when it was met by Beck who looked to be impeded by his own player Robinson and his header went behind as the game went into extra-time.

 Full-time - 3-3

In the 2 minute of extra-time Dunkirk went into the lead for the first-time all afternoon. a great move between Grant and Westcarr resulted in the latter rushing through on goal he only had Saxby to beat and his low finish went past the big Heanor goalkeeper and into the net amid ecstatic Dunkirk celebrations. Westcarr now really looked in the mood and in the 94^th minute his vicious effort with his left foot looked to be heading in but Saxby fingertip saved pushed it onto the crossbar and as it bounced down Grant couldn’t reach it as Heanor scrapped it clear. White’s hooked cross into the area then picked out the onrushing Clarson inside the penalty area, if he had headed it down he would have scored but when under pressure he got under it and it looped just over. In the 100^th minute Dunkirk were furious when Westcarr was left in a heap inside the penalty area after getting hacked down by Randall, it looked a clear penalty but the referee didn’t want to know as he waved away the Dunkirk appeals.  In the 103^rd minute of the game Heanor showed their fighting spirit when they levelled the game at 4-4. Their substitute Bedward got to the bye-line whose dinked cross to the edge of the area picked out DEAN RANDALL and his perfect volley gave Ivanov no chance as it nestled in the inside netting. 

Half-time Extra-time - 4-4

Both sides were now looking dead on their feet as this thrilling cup tie looked to get the better of them, but still chances were falling and late efforts from Grant went over and Garmston went just wide after McKay on his debut pulled it back to him. Heanor though did have the last chance of the game when a corner was knocked into Kay but his towering header was expertly tipped over by Ivanov. Overall a draw was probably a fair result as both sides put their heart and soul into the game, but Dunkirk would have gone away kicking themselves after creating the more clear cut chances late in the game after coming from behind 3 times. The replay will take place on Tuesday evening in a 7.45 Kick Off. 

HEANOR TOWN

1. G Saxby 2. L Stevenson 3. A Biggs 4. C Mason 5. P Sneath 6. A Kay 7. G Webster 8. A Grayson 9. D Williams 10. G Walker 11. G Wells 12. D Randall 14. D Roberts 15. R Benwell 16. D Gordon 17. A Bedward.

DUNKIRK

1. N Ivanov 2. P Hopkinson 3. R McCaughey 4. A Frawley 5. L Beck 6. D Robinson 7. D Garmston 8. B Moore 9. S Grant 10. J Westcarr 11. L White 12. R Royes 14. A Clarson 15. J McKay 16. D Taylor. 

REFEREE – MR S GARNER