Wednesday 27th November 2024
The title says it all. As the 1s entertained Newcastle, and the 2s and 3s went on their travels - to Manchester and Northumbria respectively - DUAFC managed to claim all 9 points for the first time in 5 years.
In fairly dramatic fashion as well...
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Durham (1s) 4 - 0 Newcastle (H): 15:00
Written by Ossie O'Neill
Durham vs Newcastle; North v North; two Northern boroughs colliding in the return fixture at Maiden Castle. A huge fixture for both sides, but especially for Durham who are trying to pull away at the top of the league.
The arrival at Maiden castle was daunting, with dark clouds causing a deep overcast sky, and rain drops settling onto the slick surface at maiden castle. As the Durham lads entered the changing room there was a slight sombre note when we found out they had no speaker.
However, we knew we couldn’t let this get to them us, so we decided to make our own noise, speaking about tactics and how we were going to be on top in this fixture; perhaps easier on the ears that the usual music choices anyway...
We knew the big pitch suited our play and the main message before getting out was to not get into a dog fight. With that being said the players stepped out on the pitch for their warmup.
The whistle blew and the game started just as expected, with Newcastle coming out hard and fast, applying pressure to the Durham backline early doors. A couple silly fouls put us slightly under the cosh, and it felt like we were waiting for some magic to shift the game back into the hands of Durham.
Magic is exactly what Durham, and the crowd, received when Fin Gwillim cushioned a pass with his chest and hit a compelling dipping volley into the top right corner from outside the box. Everyone at maiden castle was left stunned.
It was exactly what Durham needed and what a way to do it. From here on in, Durham started playing their football, dominating the ball and capturing the majority of the possession.
Durham were awarded a freekick on the edge of the Newcastle box and, to no surprise, the one man standing over it was Zack Afalahi. He struck the ball low and hard, skidding under the Newcastle wall and nestling into the bottom left corner.
Durham were 2-0 up and looking comfortable. They were looking even more comfortable just a few minutes later, as Rory Edwards stood over a free-kick... He whipped it in, straight onto the head of Chris Wild, who flicked a third in the Newcastle net; his first goal for the 1s.
Half-Time: Durham (1) 3 - 0 Newcastle
Durham went into half-time 3-0 up and it was now time to see if we would be able to see out the game, learning our lesson from our mistakes against Northumbria.
The second half began, and Durham began by managing the game well, using any opportunity we could to cause break in plays. Admittedly, I got slightly caught up in the heat of the game, and gave away a couple silly fouls. Chris Wild was most definitely not afraid to give him a piece of his mind.
The Durham bench was buzzing as they had just found out both the 2s and 3s had won their game and the idea of a 9-point social was now looking all too real. Durham sealed the game when Chris Seary cut in on his right and struck one into the right corner.
However, the team were bamboozled when they all saw Gwillim celebrating; to no surprise, he was claiming it touched him on the way through. A trio of super subs - Sam Benoist, Fred Walton, and Seb Hopkins - helped us seal the deal.
Walton missing a one on one after doing all the hard work was the bingo banker for today’s game.
Full-Time: Durham (1) 4 - 0 Newcastle
Player of the Match has to go to Chris Wild for his dominant defensive display; 'eloquent' communication and, of course, his crucial goal to make the game 3-0 before half-time.
Overall, a great display from the boys to dispatch a strong Newcastle side. Durham are now 4 from 4 with 12 points.
The 1s celebrate their convincing derby day win
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Player of the Match: Chris Wild
Line-Ups: Harry Archer; Chris Wild (Goal); Jonah Blake; Ellis Challinor; Josh Stewart; Ossie O'Neill; Charlie Bramwell; Rory Edwards; Zach Alfalahi (Goal); Fin Gwillim (Goal); Chris Seery
Substitutes: Patrick Dixon; Sam Benoist; Freddie Walton; Seb Hopkins; Phil Kay
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Manchester 1 - 2 Durham (2s) (A): 15:00
Written by Caine McCartney
Durham 2s traveled to Manchester, determined to bounce back after a disappointing cup exit to Northumbria the previous week. With both teams level on points, but Durham holding a game in hand, the match held significant stakes for two sides eyeing the top spot in the league.
The nearly three-hour journey to Manchester provided unusual entertainment in the form of the bus driver’s extensive knowledge of the Yorkshire Ripper, and an impressive collection of sweets. Shortly, focus sharpened as the squad arrived, fully aware of the task at hand. Only after Ben Crew had taken himself off to watch the table tennis, however...
The game began at a blistering pace, with Crew and Pearson immediately troubling the Manchester defence. Pearson had a header controversially ruled out following a superb run and cross from the in-form Ben Crew.
Moving the ball with pace and precision, Durham looked the more threatening side, with Finn Moore’s audacious 30-yard strike tipped narrowly wide, and Pearson coming close several times after incisive through balls from the impressive Anthony Selvadoray.
Despite dominating possession and creating better chances, Durham entered halftime level; a recurring issue we'd been working on in training.
Half-Time: Manchester 0 - 0 Durham (2s)
The second half saw Durham intensify their pressure; Crew continued to exploit the left flank, delivering dangerous crosses that narrowly missed forwards Pearson and Schuller.
As captain Oli Williams managed substitutions, myself, Boothroyd, and Browne entered the fray with 35 minutes remaining, seeking to break the deadlock.
I nearly delivered immediately, embarking on a surging run from our own box before forcing a fine save from the Manchester keeper. Cook’s resulting corner narrowly missed Williams on the six-yard line in what seemed like another near miss for Durham.
Finally, with 20 minutes to play, Durham’s perseverance paid off. Substitute Boothroyd capitalised on a spilled long-range effort from Liles, finishing clinically to give the visitors a deserved lead.
Durham controlled possession well in the closing stages, with substitutes Browne and Loosemore showcasing composure, whilst Williams and Nissim marshalled the backline effectively.
However, disaster struck with just minutes to go as a misplaced back pass caught goalkeeper Porozovs off guard, rolling agonisingly into the net to level the score.
Determined not to let the setback define the result, Durham regrouped and pushed for a late winner.
Drawing inspiration from the team’s recent viewing of Gladiator II and Marcus Aurelius’s maxim, “Reject your sense of injury, and the injury itself disappears,” they surged forward one final time.
A through ball to Boothroyd forced another fine save from the Manchester keeper, but the rebound fell to myself, and I calmly sidestepped the defender and fired a composed strike into the bottom corner from just inside the box in added time. Bedlam ensued.
The final whistle confirmed a crucial 2-1 victory for Durham 2s, who now sit top of the league with a game in hand on their rivals.
Full-Time: Manchester 1 - 2 Durham (2s)
Player of the Match went to Ben Crew, who tormented the Manchester defense throughout, despite his pre-match detour to watch table tennis.
The bus (or train for some of the lads playing floodlit) back was made all the sweeter by finding out that the 1s and 3s had also won, meaning DUAFC had secured their first 9 point Wednesday in 5 years.
Next up, Durham host Sheffield, aiming to extend their unbeaten league run and consolidate their title credentials.
The 2s celebrate their last minute win!
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Player of the Match: Ben Crew
Line-Ups: Marko Porozovs; Freddy Alcock; Ryan Cook; Oli Williams; Max Missim; Zane Liles; Ben Crew; Finn Moore; Ben Pearson; Anthony Selvadoray; Oscar Schuller
Substitutes: Jasper Gourley; Harry Loosemoor; Caine McCartney (Goal); Tom Boothroyd (Goal); Adam Browne
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Northumbria 3 - 4 Durham (3s) (A): 12:00
Written by Paddy Harvey
A gloomy Wednesday morning greeted the 3s for an early start away to Northumbria. It wasn’t the best start for a certain Alex Wilkinson, who ended up sleeping in and missing the coach, costing himself an Uber up to Newcastle.
After some good team bonding on the coach (Clash Royale), the boys arrived in Newcastle buzzing for the derby.
A strong warmup set the tone for what was going to be a tough fixture against Northumbria 4s (was actually their 3s), seeking revenge for the 2s, following their cup loss to them the week before.
The Newcastle rain poured down as kick off began on what was a glistening 3g pitch. Durham started very well, with Oli Tweddle, in midfield, captaining the team.
It was apparent from early on that our patterns of play, worked on in Tuesday's morning session (thank you Mez and Ollie), were coming into action as the boys were playing out from the back effectively.
It was not long before our brilliant start was rewarded when I played a ball into Oli Tweddle, who was brought down in the box to win a penalty.
Sacha Lee stood up and buried it into the bottom left corner, off the post and in, (just…) to put Durham 1-0 up after 15 mins. Durham continued their strong start up to half time, with good first half performances from all players.
Half-Time: Northumbria 0-1 Durham (3s)
The boys regrouped at half time in the stadium stands, buzzing with the first half performance. However, the game quickly shifted with Northumbria scoring 2 quick goals to turn the tide of the game, making it 2-1 to the home side in the derby.
But, after a mid-match team huddle, Durham began to dig deep with an attempt to shift the momentum back our way, spurred on by a brilliant 1-on-1 save by Jamie Green, keeping Durham in the game.
The boys began to start playing better football again, with George Vardon and Jamie Wood playing out from the back well, and Will Kitching finding space down the left flank.
It was not long before a wonderful ping from Oli Tweddle found myself on the right, and I put in a gorgeous in swinging cross (If I do say so myself), which found Sacha Lee’s head at the back post making it 2-2.
Durham could feel the game was there for the taking as, not long after, a wonderful run and a perfect cut back from Will Kitching found Sacha Lee in the penalty box. He tucked it away in the bottom corner, giving Durham the lead, and claiming a hat-trick for himself.
Morale was high, as Durham were desperate for the win. Strong substitutions of Callum Raisborough and Isaac Jowett helped Durham maintain their lead, as Jowett was tripped up in the box, giving us another penalty.
Captain Oli Tweddle stepped up to make it 4-2, surely securing the 3 points.
However, a nervy ending awaited Durham as Northumbria pulled one back with 5 to go, alongside going down to 10 men soon after, with a certain someone getting a red card (apologies boys).
A last gasp goal line clearance from Archie Duggan caused hearts to skip a beat, but we had enough to see it through and bring the three points back to Durham.
Full-Time: Northumbria 3-4 Durham (3s)
There were strong performances across the board today but, unsurprisingly, Player of the Match was given to Sacha Lee, with his Hat-trick being vital in earning Durham the 3 points (not so sure about the celebrations though).
Also a special mention to Maxwell Sanni who made his debut for the 3s. The boys were buzzing after the win, especially finding out a 9 POINT SOCIAL awaited them back in Durham…
The 2s celebrate their massive win away at Northumbria
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Player of the Match: Sacha Lee
Line-Ups: Jamie Green; Maxwell Sanni; George Vardon; Jamie Wood; Paddy Harvey; James Webb-Wood; Ethan Woodcock; Daniel Katsande; Sacha Lee (Goal x3); Oli Tweddle (Goal); Will Kitching
Substitutes: Callum Raisborough; Isaac Jowett; Sam Checketts; Alex Wilkinson; Archie Duggan
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