Match report by Jack Camarda
The most anticipated game of the season was upon us, DUAFC's charity game vs Newcastle University. In an all or nothing game for Durham nothing less than 3pts would do to tee up the last game of the season vs Loughborough in a battle for survival on the final day of the season.
22 lads trained tirelessly, in the week, after the fantastic result against the champions, Stirling University. Every player was eager to be involved and this gave head coach Adam Furness his biggest selection headache of the season!
In goal was George Arnold after passing a late fitness test; a back three welcomed the return of Matt Keogh after a lengthy spell out with ACL re-construction. Alongside him were Freddie Merrett and Jack Camarda, who was back in the starting XI after his red card vs Nottingham Trent just before the Christmas break. In the middle of the park, saw captain Jack Gibbons maintain his new role after a fine performance against Stirling with the ever-present Maxen Garagić completing the midfield duo. Rob White and Ollie England occupied the wing back rolls offering pace and energy to Durham going forward. The Front three was a force to be reckoned with, Zach Alfalahi, Fin Gwillim and top goal scorer Tom Hizzett. This was by far the strongest starting XI, Adam Furness had been able to pick all season and it came in the most important game to date. The bench consisted of Reuben Bull, Morgan Lant, Ned Ventham, Rory England and Eirik Abney.
Durham and Newcastle both made fast starts to the game, as both teams looked to stamp authority in the North East derby. The first 15 minutes lacked quality in the final third, as both teams struggled to create a clear-cut chance in front of goal after working the ball well in both halves. However, on the 21st minute Durham took the lead as the persistence finally paid off. Great strength in the middle by Zach Alfalahi allowed himself to get on the half turn and release Rob White down the ring wing. White took on his man 1v1 and delivered a pin-point cross onto Tom Hizzett’s head, who finished superbly and gave Durham the lead. After the goal, Durham created more chances going forward, Camarda’s dead ball deliveries were causing the Newcastle backline all sorts of problems and came close to scoring as Matt Keogh latched onto one of his delivery’s which was brilliantly blocked by the Newcastle centre half. Chances for White, Gwillim and Alfalahi during the half, however they just couldn’t convert. In the 42nd minute, Newcastle were awarded a freekick in the centre of the park which Durham had defended brilliantly so far. A wicked delivery caused the backline problems and Merrett unfortunately mistimed his clearance which beat George Arnold in his own goal. The score finished level going into the break.
The second half started, and Durham looked like a different team. The high press was causing Newcastle serious problems which saw Durham regain the lead in the 47th minute. The desire shown by Fin Gwillim to press allowed him to regain possession, he charged forward beating two defenders and squared the ball into the path of that man again, Tom Hizzett whose finish was exquisite. Durhams back three of Merrett, Camarda and Keogh was
a joy to watch, any chance of a Newcastle equaliser was looking unlikely due to the dominance of the back three winning headers; on the front foot winning interceptions and controlling the game from the back. Gibbons and Garagić were winning 2nd balls in the centre of the park which was allowing Durham to create plenty of chances going forward. In the 65 minute, Durham made it 3-1. A lovely pass from Merrett split the Newcastle Midfield, finding Alfalahi on the half turn yet again. He drove at the Newcastle defence and unleashed a fantastic strike which was brilliantly saved by Newcastle’s keeper as he tipped it onto the post, however Fin Gwillim was there to finish it off, a proper number 9’s goal. In the 72nd minute Durham made it 4-1: Alfalahi was causing all sorts of problems for Newcastle going forward, he found himself in space, drove at the defence and slotted a perfectly weighted ball into Tom Hizzett who curled a lovely finish into the top corner to complete his hat-trick and surely put the game to bed.
Newcastle tried everything to get back into the game, but Durham defended with everything they had and started to frustrate Newcastle. In the 80th minute Maxen Garagić was on the end of a crunching challenge from Newcastle’s No. 8 - the frustration and occasion had gotten to him, this saw him get sent off after the tackle on Garagić. Durham continued to dominate and made it 5-1 in the 85 minute. Substitution Ned Ventham was there to capitalise on a mistake from the Newcastle keeper and slotted it away in the bottom left corner from 20 yards out. Surely that was it, game over. However, Durham really went to town, a penalty was awarded in the 88th minute after great work from Fin Gwillim yet again, Gibbons stepped and tried to be clever. His Panenka was saved by the keeper and the Durham crowd laughed at captain Jack Gibbons, I’m sure he won’t try that again. However, with the last kick of the game, Captain Gibbons showed his class as he made it 6 -1 with a lovely struck half volley, following a flicked on header from a long throw, which nestled in the bottom left corner.
FULL TIME: Durham 6 - 1 Newcastle
Highlights of the game can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVvVfApm9gc
You can rewatch the full game here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AK3GabYOYc
Durham take the league into a final day decider for survival against last year's national championship winners, Loughborough
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