Durham United vs Seaton Carew FC
Wearside League Premier Division
Thursday 17th October 2024
Having won our first 7 league matches of the year, we were thrown our biggest curveball yet. It’s no secret that playing matches at home is a big advantage for us; not only does it eliminate the need for travel and also bring a sense of familiarity, but the large, pristine, artificial pitch suits our playing style to a tee.
However, despite this match being listed as a ‘home’ game, due to complications with our usual pitch booking, this game could hardly be considered as such. In fact, we were playing at a ground, 10 minutes away, that we actually visited as an away team not long ago: Brandon United.
On that day, just 12 days prior, United came away with a scrappy 1-0 win on a pitch that received mixed reviews. This time, we were at ‘home’ to Seaton Carew that would be a real test of our mentality.
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I actually arrived slightly late to the game; about 20 minutes after it had started. By this point, United were 0-1 down to, what I’m led to believe was, a screamer.
I got this information not only from our lads on the bench, but also (indirectly) from the goalscorer himself.
Having sought out the phone number of our secretary and asked for the footage of his goal, he got no reply, so he then set up an account on the website to message through there.
I’m still none-the-wiser as to whether he now has hold of the footage but, in the meantime, I watched it myself; it was a good hit from the edge of the box into the top corner.
Last time we played at this ground, Phi Kay described it as ‘the last sunny Saturday of the year’ and, as we played under the light of a full moon (which one of the lads reliably informed us was the closest moon of the year), it was certainly a different setting for the game.
As a non-playing member having only been to home games so far, it was nice to be at a proper non-league ground: grass, turnstiles, a dugout, and a concrete stand. As I parked up my car and opened the door, I was immediately hit with the smell of freshly cut grass.
I’ve seen plenty of Wearside action this year and, whilst the playing style is quintessentially non-league, it’s only until you visit these cultured and characterful grounds that you appreciate the context of the football we're playing.
It’s probably evident how much happened in the first half, given the amount of time I’ve spent describing the setting of the game. In can be summarised in three details: Seb Hopkins went on a driving run; Morgan Lant put in a big tackle; and Fred Walton did well to beat his man and score the equaliser.
Half-Time: Seaton Carew 1 - 1 Durham United
As the teams went in for a chat at the break, the subs stayed out for a kick-around. After being inspired by the ‘round-the-worlds’ tech from the opposition, Phil decided to try to score a first time volley from the edge of the box which I think … * checks watch * … has just about landed; I’m not sure if the ball was ever recovered…
***
There was a change of momentum in the second half, with United having the majority of the ball, and centre backs, Jonah Blake and Chris Wild, mostly being allowed to just watch-on.
The pressure eventually told when Chris Seery put a ball across the box for Hopkins to run onto. His first shot was well blocked and his second shot was also blocked but, according to the referee, illegally. As the defender slid in to block the shot, the goal-bound ball struck his elbow, and the ref didn’t hesitate.
As I filmed this from the sidelines, one of the Seaton Carew fans turned to me and said, in a frustrated tone, “the refs you get at this level”.
Given my camera, I assume he thought that I was a neutral spectator and he could seek reassurance in my opinion. But, given that I was of the genuine belief that it was a penalty, I replied with some general non-committal reply of, “Yeah, every week”.
Fred Walton stepped up, scored, and performed his trademark fist-pump celebration.
***
With 20 minutes to go, and the opposition rarely venturing into the United half, Durham doubled the lead. Chris Seery, having played the role of chief chirper throughout the game, performed his most antagonising act so far as he lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the top corner.
He ran off with his arms spread wide, performing the biggest celebration of the Wearside season so far, originally in the direction of the dugouts before being enveloped by the rest of the squad.
I’d love to provide more detail of the goal, but I was busy filming our non-playing squad members ('fans') behind the goal. As the camera failed to focus on Gwillim tasting a sip of Ryan’s half-time milkshake, I heard expectant inhales of breath and panned over just in time to capture the celebration.
Chris enjoyed that goal, which is evident not only by the celebration, but by the fact that he posted a video of it in the squad chat within 24 hours, weaving it into the ongoing conversation to disguise his self-promotion.
For a brief period, United were happy to just let the game slow down a bit. As the ball went out for a throw, American postgraduate Sam Benoist, walked over to take it. As he took his time to assess his options, the ref tried to give him the hurry along, “Yes Please”.
Whether feigning ignorance or genuinely stumped by the language barrier, he replied, “Yes please what?” Now I write it down, it seems like a possibility he thought he accidentally walked into a ‘knock-knock’ joke.
“Hurry it up please”, the ref said more explicitly. “Oh, ok”, Sam replied in a fairly nonplussed tone, and threw the ball back in.
***
With the game becoming slightly stretched, and lots of space being found out wide, Walton’s main aim became trying to secure a hat-trick. Although he had a couple of efforts at goal - some more threatening than others… - it actually seemed like he was more focused on saying the first thing that came to his mind.
“Some goalie you, Paddy. Some goalie. Proper goalie you”, he rambled on for 20 seconds after that action was completed. Isolated on the right hand side of the field, he had little else to do other than speak his mind.
When he was eventually back in the game, the chat certainly wasn’t sacrificed. “Not bad that”, he exclaimed after putting a ball across the box.
Whilst United were in control for almost the entire half, Brandon always showed signs that they could be threatening on the break. One lovely piece of skill on the turn started a nice flowing move but, despite being easy on the eye, Paddy was untroubled in goal.
Regardless of the Durham dominance, there was always a feeling that the game wasn’t done, as one goal on the break would set up a grand-slam finish. Great for the footage, but less good for the heart-rate.
The game never got that nervy, however, and the referee blew for full time before Seaton Carew were afforded a proper look at goal.
The moonlight shone down brightly - as the sun had done two weeks ago - as United picked up another three points.
As we walked off the slightly muddy field back to the changing rooms, Phil asked me, “I don’t have to write another match report from this place do I?”
No, don’t worry, Phil, I’ve got this one.
So, attention turns to Saturday’s game away at Norton and Stockton Ancients; away from home, it has become something of a ‘bogey fixture’, with United failing to pick up any points there in our first two years in the league.
But, for now, with eight wins from eight in the league, we’re just dancing in the moonlight!
Full-Time: Durham United 3 - 1 Seaton Carew FC
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Player of the Match: Fred Walton
Line-Up: Patrick Dixon; Freddy Alcock; Sam Benoist; Chris Wild; Jonah Blake; Morgan Lant; Fred Walton (Goal x2); Seb Hopkins; Chris Seery (Goal); Charlie Bramwell; Zane Liles
Substitutes: Patrick Dixon; Adam Browne, Ben Pearson; Phil Kay; Jonty Hughes-Penny
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