BUCS league football returned to Maiden Castle's Track Pitch on Wednesday 12th October with all three men's teams playing at home. The First XI took on newly promoted Nottingham, while the twos and threes battled it out in the Derby della Durham.
An enthusiastic First XI had a welcome return to Track, where they took nine points from fifteen in the league last season, as they donned the infamous palatinate jersey. After a cagey opening quarter, Durham stamped their authority on the game, benefiting from the lion's share of possession as well as having most of the attempts on goal. In spite of this pressure, a furious first half finished goalless.
Durham again came out of the sheds the better of the two sides, this time creating more clear cut chances, and within the first few minutes of the half, had taken the lead through a parry from the goalkeeper falling at the feet of resident fox-in-the-box and No.9, Ned Ventham, who neatly tapped home. Durham continued to apply pressure and thought they had doubled their lead when Tom Hizzett fired home from close range, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Not long after, Nottingham enjoyed some territory before a ball bouncing around the box was turned home by the Nottingham front man. This was to be Nottingham's only shot on goal, albeit a decisive one.
In the closing stages of the game Durham continued to dominate territory as they sought a winner. Rob White agonisingly hit the upright having gone through on goal, before penalty shouts were turned away following Ollie England being brought to ground on the turn inside the 18 yard box. Despite all of this pressure and a stellar performance in most facets from the Durham XI, the game ended one apiece, leaving the first team hungrier than ever for their first win of the season, away at Loughborough.
Wednesday 12th October, 2022. 17:00. Track Pitch. Derby della Durham: Third Edition.
An established Second XI went up against a newly formed Third Team in BUCS Tier Three, as last year's runner's up and third place finishers in the league went head to head. Expectantly the Twos looked more composed to start the game, stringing together some neat passes through the middle third. However it didn't take the Threes long to get into the game as Maiello's men rallied to enjoy some possession and territory in spells during the opening of the contest.
A box office classic at times, this game went end-to-end with plenty of shots on goal to keep the crowd entertained. It was Baptist who found the back of the net though following a strong period from the twos, culminating in a deft ball across the box from Joe Bryant, which was confidently tapped home by the number nine. Not long after, the crowd was party to a collector's item as Yuta Osawa drove the ball into the back of the net, delivering the promise of "I'm going to score today", made to his housemates.
In spite of the scoreline seemingly getting away from this fast-gelling Third XI, a small spell on the ball resulted in Hodgson being sent through on goal and firing home, potentially testing the nerves of some of the Twos involved in last year's derby upset. These fears were compounded as the Thirds continued to dominate the ball and territory for a period of a quarter of an hour after half time. However, as the old idiom goes, "Cometh the hour, cometh the man", Bobby Johnson in the right place at the right time to wrap the ball home, before wheeling away to the erupting crowd (of about 25). Not long after the game was put to bed as last year's Third XI captain Robin Oldfield scored from the right side of the box, embracing a new group of players and embodying the motto "One Club. One Dream". The game finished 4-1, with both sides taking a lot of positives and bolstered confidence as they progress in their league campaigns this year.
So 2 games, some stellar performances, 6 Durham goals and 4 points for the men in palatinate... not a bad start to life at Maiden Castle for the 2022/23 season.
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