As we prepare for a massive semi-final against Nottingham we look back at the season, and what a season it has been.
We started off by travelling all the way to Scotland to play Stirling. The weather treated us nicely with a lot of debut starts from returners and new freshers coming into the team. After many chances created and not maximizing our opportunities will end up with a close 3-2 win. A game we had full control of, but we had improvements to make going forward into the season.
The squad then travelled to Nottingham to face the newly promoted squad. After doing half the warmup on a netball court and with Nottingham having a massive fan base. After a long struggle with good individual performances but an improved team performance from the first game we still end up short in a 4-0 loss.
In the third away game of the season the squad travels down to Leeds Beckett. Having faced a lot of injuries the squad on paper is not the strongest but the depth in the club provided a strong performance either way. Notably this was our very own captain Freya Bailes’ first ever game not played for DUWAFC throughout her four years here. A solid defensively game and numerous chances created ended the game in a 3-0 win on the road. First clean sheet and most goals scored in a game so far.
At this point of the season no games have yet been played at Maiden Castle, but the 9th of November would change this as our girls’ host Stirling at home. Eager to improve from the away game the squad goes in with a strong competitiveness. Having our captain back on the squad even if she was not on the pitch for the whole match was a certain advantage and the girls come out of it winning 4-2.
It is then due for the game we thought was going to be the hardest prior to the season, Loughborough away. With the strongest squad we have had all year the girls are looking positive going into the game. After a hard-fought game the girls went away feeling like an opportunity was missed and that this was a winnable game. The final score was 2-2. Although the mildly disappointing game the progression this team has had is the biggest positive to take away from the game.
Nottingham at home is the next challenge for our girls. After the tough loss away, the squad goes into the game with a new tactic and motivation to show Notts what we can actually do. With a completely different squad to the week before this game was a big challenge even before the girls entered the pitch. This game ended up being a battle between the defense and it ended in a 0-0 draw.
It is then due for the most important game any Durham team faces. Northumbria. With a subpar few days before the game this was always going to be a tough one. Travelling with 12 players and suddenly facing an injury in warmup was less than ideal for our girls. After a game of many ups and downs leads to a tough 5-2 loss on the road for our girls.
Then for the final game of a hectic term. Loughborough at home. The squad is pulling out the last ounces of motivation and performance that was left. It ends up being a battle until the end. Woman of the match goes to Alexandra Gatt after single-handedly fighting the whole midfield from Loughborough. It ends in a disappointing 4-1 loss and it can be felt in the changing room that the squad had more to give and a game where we could have done better.
It is then Christmas break and the girls go away for a well-deserved break.
After a week back in training the girls face the northern derby again this time at home. Northumbria came to Durham thinking this was going to be an easy win, but our girls shocked them. After a hard battle the girls secure a 1-1 draw at home and a lot of positives to take away from the game.
The last game of the season is coming up. We have secured a place away from the relegation battle and it is Leeds Beckett who wants to do the same who is the final challenge for the squad. This is also the annual joint charity game alongside the Men’s Football Club. New white kit is ready for its first performance. Live-stream is being set up and the girls are ready to take on Leeds Beckett once again. After a solid defensive and even more impressive offensive game the girls walk away from the league season with a 5-0 win.
The cup-run has been a very successful run for our 1s squad. With USW not even making the travel up to Durham the squad were facing the winners of the Southern Premiership in the quarter final. Taking the trip all the way down to Bristol was less than ideal but nothing faces our girls. After an easy match with little to no action for our scholar Tatiana Saunders the score ends in 5-1 win to Durham.
This means the girls are challenging Nottingham in the semi-final at home at Maiden Castle and we cannot wait to see how they tackle this strong opposition.
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