Wednesday the 4th of October marked the beginning of Durham University Women's BUCS run, and wow, what a start. With the second and third team beginning their league next week, this Wednesday was all about our first team.
Captained this season by Emma Wallis, DUWAFC 1s made the four hour journey to Scotland to face Stirling in what would end up being an emphatic win for our Durham side. With a strong starting XI, and a debut appearance as the sole first-team coach for Chris Sewell, the ones were ready to bring their all to this game.
The match kicked off at 1.15pm, and immediately Durham seized control of the pitch. Handfuls of chances were created early on, with Becky Lovelace swiftly breaking the deadlock after only 6 minutes following a pin-point pass from Faye Dale.
Durham 1-0 Stirling.
However, seconds after the restart Durham's fast start was immediately hindered. Stirling managed to equalise after a long ball straight from kick off was not dealt with by the Durham defence, and the Stirling winger had a tap in from an early cross.
Durham 1-1 Stirling.
After this equaliser, Durham seemingly gained control of the game again, creating many promising attacks with their orchestrated link-up play. This was until another lapse of concentration by the Durham defence in the 20th minute forced Tatiana Saunders into a brilliant save to keep the score one a piece. This is when Durham knew that in order to win, they would have to step up their game.
This almost instantly became evident in the Durham game when they regained the lead in the 36th minute with a goal by Vicky Neuefeind who picked up a loose ball at the edge of the box, got past a defender, and calmly finished with a bottom left shot across goal.
Half time score Durham 2-1 Stirling.
After a prompt half time talk, Durham were ready to make this game their own. Once again, Durham were the stronger team starting the second half. After a goal in the first two minutes being ruled offside, and our own Sophie Centi hitting the post with an effort on the edge of the box in the 49th minute, Durham knew that this game was theirs for the take. Like clockwork on the left hand side of the pitch, Emma Wallis and Vicky Neuefeind stormed the Stirling defence, with their link-up play resulting in a DUWAFC debut goal for first year Niamh Doody. There's nothing better to watch than an overlapping Emma Wallis run, and a Vicky Neuefeind cross.
Durham 3-1 Stirling.
After the third goal for Durham was sealed, the momentum picked up drastically for our Durham side and Stirling didn't stand a chance. A moment of individual brilliance from our number 11 Neuefeind lead to another goal. After a sharp ball from Wallis near the half way line, Neuefeind danced through the Stirling defence, beating four players before burying the ball in the back of the net after a stunning shot from outside the box in the 60th minute.
Durham 4-1 Stirling.
Now the girls were truly on fire. The fifth goal came moments later after a strong tackle from our right back Clarissa Jackson, who crossed the ball perfectly to our first scorer and right wing Becky Lovelace, which led to a brilliant ball to Faye Dale who finished off with another pint point tap in. Our right wing illustrating superb chemistry against Stirling, and showing why Clarissa Jackson and Becky Lovelace work so well together. Pure brilliance.
Durham 5-1 Stirling.
This goal seemed to motivate Stirling to try and get back in the game, but their spell of momentum was quickly ended after Wallis won a pen in the 75th minute after a powerful drive down the left side of the pitch. None other than Neuefeind stepped up to take the penalty, striking the ball into the bottom left to secure a debut hattrick.
Durham 6 : 1 Stirling.
The last 15 minutes of the game were quiet, and the only real chance fell to Pip Evans from a reverse pass by Dale, forcing the Stirling substitute keeper into a nice save to her right. Durham calmly bounced the ball around, keeping control of the game, waiting out the minutes for what would be an immense first game score.
And just like that, Durham were victorious.
Full time Score, Durham 6 -1 Stirling.
Player of the match: Vicky Neuefeind
Durham: Tatiana Saunders, Jackson (Harrison, 80’), Hughes (Boardman, 67’), Hosking, Wallis, Brown, Centi, Lovelace, Doody, Dale, Neuefeind (Evans, 75’)
Goals: Neuefeind x3, Lovelace x1, Doody x1, Dale x1
After the amazing levels of hard work from our first team during their pre-season, and excellent coaching from our new first team lead, our DUWAFC 1s are ready to take on the rest of their season. They have several things to take away from their first game, but have now set the standard for both the second, and third team for what could be an incredible season for the club.
Next match: 11th October vs St Andrews (H) - 3pm KO.
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