Durham United vs Norton and Stockton Ancients Youth
Wearside Premier Division
Thursday 28th November 2024
19:30
Written by Tom Boothroyd
Post-match photo
A home league match is always a pleasant sight for all involved, especially on a Thursday night. On this occasion, we faced Norton and Stockton Ancients Youth - the only team to have handed United a league defeat this season thus far.
On yet another chilly night at Maiden Castle, as the lads warmed up well, we were right up for it before the first whistle. A strong side, led by captain Freddie Merrett, sought to correct the wrongdoings of the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
As the whistle blew, the lads were straight into the action, and had a couple of early chances, none of which were taken, much to the annoyance of our defence. From this moment onwards, it looked like a one-sided affair. But, would our lack of clinical finishing come back to haunt us?
No was the answer. Chris Seery added a goal minutes later, slotting confidently past a diving keeper who could only look back to see the ball flash into the back of the net.
Sam Benoist added a second with a great finish from a corner, much to the delight of the whole team, as they celebrated his first goal for the club. The best American to hit the North-East since Lyndon Gooch; and two great defenders in their own rights.
A third goal was added - with a calm finish - by Freddie Walton shortly after. That was closely followed by a gift of a fourth goal.
The ball was passed back to the keeper, who thought he had all the time in the world, but learned the hard way that Fin Gwillim doesn't press half-heartedly. Gwills charged down the attempted clearance in true rugby fashion, deflecting it straight back past the keeper and into the net. 4-0.
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Game over after 30 minutes? The visitors didn't think so...
Browne pulled up with a hamstring injury just after the 35th minute mark, as I came on in his place. Moments later (merely a coincidence I'm sure..), a lapse of concentration in the United box, while attempting to play out from the back, led to the ball landing at the feet of a Norton attacker, who clinically finished from 15 yards out.
Not as smooth sailing as we initially thought. Things got worse when the Norton striker channeled his inner Nate Diaz, striking Merrett on the side of the head after the ball was played, which somehow went unpunished.
This forced United into a second first-half substitution, as Phil Kay and Oli Williams’ intense passing warm ups on the sidelines were rudely interrupted and the latter came onto replace the injured defender.
Half-Time: Durham United 4 - 1 Norton and Stockton Ancients Youth
The second half started with great work from Fred Walton down the right-hand side, and he put the ball on a plate for myself. I had the easy task of putting the ball either side of the keeper from 18 yards out and… managed to hit it straight at the keeper.
Safe to say I was very relieved when, two minutes later, Seery caught out Norton's high line, took the ball past the keeper, and slotted it home and securing his brace.
I did, however, make up for my previous ‘attempt’, directing Sam Benoists pull back into the side of the net.
It was very much all United in the second half, with lots of possession and many chances. Seery struck the bar from outside the penalty area, and the less said about my follow-up the better...
Our defence maintained their solidity, with great performances from Oscar Cooke and Morgan Lant in particular, keeping their attack quiet. Kay came on to replace Gwillim up top, providing plenty of energy and linked up well with the wingers.
The last goal of the game, and probably the pick of the bunch, came in the last ten minutes of the game. Walton flicked on the clearance to me, from a corner from inside the United box. I carried the ball from our own half and placed it into the bottom corner, picking up the second brace of the day.
The full-time whistle was a sweet sound for the opposition as well as Harry Archer in net, who seemed to be a bit bored and very cold.
Special mention to the two unused substitutes, Liles and Dixon, in which Patrick was sadly robbed of a cameo up top, the very position he secured an assist earlier in the month for a certain college F-team.
And also a special thanks to all the lads who braved the elements on a cold night and came down to watch the fourth win out of four this week for the club. We'll search for the fifth on Saturday, aiming to make history and secure the first fifteen-point week in the club's history.
Full-Time: Durham United 7 - 1 Norton and Stockton Ancients Youth
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Player of the Match: Fin Gwillim
Line-up: Harry Archer; Morgan Lant; Oscar Cooke; Sam Benoist; Freddie Merrett; Alex Dinan; Freddie Walton; Charlie Bramwell; Fin Gwillim; Adam Browne; Chris Seery
Substitutes: Patrick Dixon; Phil Kay; Oli Williams; Zane Liles; Tom Boothroyd
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