Wednesday 20th November 2024
After both the 1s and 2s being given a week off last week (courtesy of some stand-still traffic on the A1M), both teams were in action this week, with the 3s having a rest day instead.
It was an all-Northumbria game-week, with both teams playing against our county neighbours. Having made the short journey a couple of week ago, this time the 1s were back on home (artificial) turf, as they welcomed the visitors to Maiden Castle.
The 2s made their way across the border - although in fairly unorthadox fashion - to try and turn the tables from the 1s result two weeks prior.
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Durham (1s) 2 - 3 Northumbria (H): 15:00
Written by Rory Edwards
Having faced Northumbria a few weeks prior, we were all in good spirits coming into the game knowing it would be a tough match.
Unfortunately, our preparation for the game was slightly affected due to the kick off being delayed. This made me a little nervous as I was on a “trial shift” with the music and I wasn’t prepared for the extra 20 minutes in the changing room.
This made me to have to go through the back catalogue to keep the boys happy. Overall I think I did a good job as no one seemed to inquisitively ask, “who’s on the speaker?”, which you never want to hear.
From the get go, both teams were right up for it. The game had a physical start as expected and Northumbria went ahead early. The goal came from a wide free kick that was whipped in behind our defence and was well finished on the volley.
Despite this early set back, I think we had a good start to the game and continued in that same vein of form after conceding. We kept playing out the back with bravery, making decisive passes and creating chances.
This resulted in the first goal which was well finished by in Gwillim -the man who can’t stop scoring this season - with a lovely flick into the far corner assisted by Zach Alfalahi.
Not too long after Fin returned the favour playing a lovely ball in behind to Zach who neatly put it away making it 2-1. I must say this was well deserved after how we were playing as a team.
We went in at half time proud of having put on a very good first half display however knowing it was going to be a battle of a second half as Northumbria were going to come flying out of the blocks and that is exactly what they did…
Half-Time: Durham (1s) 2 - 1 Northumbria
Unfortunately, we didn’t respond as well as we could’ve to the high press and energy that Northumbria brought as they stepped right up onto our backline to prevent us playing with the same dominance we did in the first half.
As a result, Northumbria made it 2-2 with a clinical finish just inside our box. The pressure continued to build as Northumbria grew more and more into the game.
After a header in behind our defence, their striker put the ball away to make it 3-2 with 15 minutes left to play.
The heat of the game continued to crank up as a challenge from our skipper sparked a furious reaction in the entire Northumbria squad as they sprinted to surround the referee within a matter of seconds. This led to a second yellow, leaving us with 10 men for the remainder of the match.
Despite our best efforts to come back, we couldn’t get an equaliser that would take the game to penalties, and the game ended 3-2.
Full-Time: Durham (1s) 3 - 2 Northumbria
All in all, it was a tough day for the boys in palatinate, as we learnt a lesson that football is a game of two halves. Even though we had a very dominant first 45 minutes, you have to be able to maintain that standard throughout the entire course of the match.
We showed good fight in the last 15 minutes to try and get ourselves back in the game but, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.
Personally, my player of the match for Durham was Zach Alfalahi. Not only was he involved in both our goals, but he was a constant threat throughout the game, receiving the ball in dangerous positions and always threatening the back line with his dribbling and passes.
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Player of the match: Zach Alfalahi
Line-Up: Harry Archer; Josh Stewart; Freddie Merrett; Ellis Challinor; Ollie England; Ossie O'Neill; Rory Edwards; Charlie Bramwell; Zach Alfalahi (Goal 36'); Fin Gwillim (Goal 22'); Chris Seery
Substitutes: Patrick Dixon; Chris Wild; Sam Benoist; Seb Hopkins; Freddie Walton
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Northumbria 3 - 1 Durham (2s) (A): 17:00
Written by Zane Liles
On a blisteringly cold day in the northeast, the 2s made the short trip to Newcastle to face Northumbria 4s in the cup. The trip, however, didn’t quite go as was expected.
As per usual for away BUCS matches, the lads met up at MC and headed to the carpark in search of the bus, only for moments later to be hit with the news that it left half an hour ago.
This wasn’t the ideal start to the matchday, but it was definitely a sign of things to come…
After making our own way to Northumbria, via the courtesy of Pearson, Loosemore, Lee and Williams - who were kind enough to drive everyone - we headed straight into the warm changing rooms, kitted up, and headed outside for what would possibly become the longest warm up of all time.
The first segment of this warmup took place on a thin strip of grass in between the two astroturf pitches, which were occupied at the time, and this resulted in warmup that was limited to some simple passing and receiving.
We were then made aware of a ’10-minute delay’ to the game which ended up being around 45 minutes due to the lack of a referee. After endless rondos and performing every warmup routine that you could think of, the referee finally arrived, only to tell us that he had to get changed.
Eventually, the referee emerged from the changing rooms and the game began.
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The early stages of the game consisted of a lot of controlled possession for Durham, with Williams and Nissim both seeing plenty of the ball as they played out from the back.
Northumbria, however, stood strong in their low block and made it very difficult for Durham to break them down. There were a few moments which could have broken the deadlock; most notably Pearson’s effort from just outside the box whistling just past the post. Some nice football was played by Durham in the first half, but it remained goalless heading into the interval.
Half-Time: Northumbria 0 - 0 Durham (2s)
The second half began and Northumbria were immediately awarded a somewhat dubious free-kick decision just on the edge of the Durham box. Against the run of play, they went one-nil up after a well struck free-kick which found its way into the corner.
Durham now had work to do, and it was a great response to the setback, with many chances being fashioned but none finished off.
A Gareth Bale-esque run from Pearson down the left flank concluded with him firing the ball across the box. Woodcock was at the back post to meet it and, despite making a good connection, it wasn't enough to beat the outstretched arms of the Northumbria keeper.
However, despite the dominance that Durham showed, it was Northumbria who went on to double their lead. Durham now had a mountain to climb, but the introduction of Owen, McCartney and Schuller sparked some life into the 2s, and it was the former who finished off a lovely move with a powerful strike into the back of the net. Game on!
The last 15 minutes of the game was all Durham, with Moore and Myself seeing plenty of the ball in the middle of the park and the front 4 caused havoc. Wave after wave of attacks occurred, but the equaliser just wouldn't come. Then, in the dying moments of the game, Northumbria secured the win with a third by latching on to a loose ball while Durham were out of position from the previous attack.
Full-time: Northumbria 3 - 1 Durham (1s)
It was a painful loss for the 2s, who were evidently the team with the better footballers, but nothing can be taken away from Northumbria who took their chances and stuck to their game plan well.
There is no time for the 2s to dwell on this result as they have a chance to right their wrongs with an important league game away in Manchester next week.
Player of the match was voted as myself, hence why I was nominated to write this match report (Cheers Caino!).
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Player of the Match: Zane Liles
Line-up: Marko Porozovs, Harry Loosemore, Oli Williams, Max Nissim, Ryan Cook, Finn Moore, Zane Liles, Adam Browne, Ethan Woodcock, Ben Crew, Ben Pearson
Subs: Caine McCartney, Oscar Schuller, Sacha Lee, Nicolai Lewis, Max Owen (Goal)
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