United gained their second solitary goal victory in consecutive Northern Counties East League fixtures when they defeated lowly Dinnington Town at Grange Park on Saturday. As with the previous weekend’s success at Brighouse Town it was a goal a minute after the interval that provided the win for United.

Last weekend’s match-winner Ben Bacon was unavailable and Rotherham United trainee Harry Lord was given his first full start in a dual strike role with Kev Mabon. Micky Allsop retained his central defensive role after his comeback game at Brighouse and Michael Martin was named as one of the substitutes.

Following the midweek postponement of the game against Bridlington Town is was not a foregone conclusion that the match would actually go ahead. Fortunately the surface was deemed playable, though it was a very heavy looking Grange Park pitch that greeted both sides on a muggy, overcast afternoon.

Dinnington Town occupied the ‘last but one’ position in the NCEL Premier Division and their recent form had seen them lose their previous eleven league games. Nothing more than a United victory was demanded.

From the outset it was evident that the visitors were low on confidence and their youthful starting line-up comprised of a predominant number of University students from Sheffield and Hallam.

Mabon and Lord were both unlucky on a couple of occasions during the first quarter as the telling ball eluded them and Martin Bowles and Paul Gamble both worked particularly hard to create openings. Nathan Parker had his customary long range effort and Gary Breach got forward as often as the situation would allow but the clear cut opportunities were few and far between during the first forty-five minutes. The main highlights of the opening half came via a cross-cum-shot from Chris Murdock and a ferocious effort from Mabon that produced a terrific save from Declan Holland in the Dinnington goal.

Kelvin Mushambi replaced Lord as the teams emerged for the second-half and United gained the advantage almost immediately as the ever-creative Gamble provided a moment of quality. An incisive ball from a congested midfield exposed the visitors back line and Bowles, who still had work to do, edged out a Dinnington defender to fire a low shot past Holland and put United ahead.

Although other half-chances saw Mabon, Bowles and Mushambi all go close, the second goal that would have given United a little comfort never materialised. However, throughout the game United’s back line were playing with composure and Allsop, Murdock, Dean Whiley and Paul McGinty were providing a solid back line that dealt effectively with the any Dinnington threat.

Despite holding the advantage, the problem of not finding the killer-punch that would put the game beyond Dinington was highlighted late in the game when Liam Cartledge had a gilt-edged opportunity from close range. Fortuitously for United, the visiting striker inexplicably fired his effort over the bar from close range when a more deft touch may have given his beleaguered side a point.

Martin and Adam Campbell were both given late, cursory introductions as United saw out the game without further scares in an encounter that should have produced a more convincing outcome. Nonetheless, only three points are available whether United triumph by the only goal or via a rout.

After two morale boosting clean-sheet victories, United make the trip to in-form Scarborough Athletic next Saturday, though their latest successes should be tempered with a measure of caution as both Brighouse and Dinnington have only won one game in their last thirty-one games between them.

A good performance on the East Coast next week will almost be as important as the result itself.