BUCS GW2: 1s go top with 6 points from 6

Wednesday 22nd November 2025

Durham 1s v Manchester: 17:00 (a)

Written by Charlie Bramwell

BUCS football can be a cagey display as both sides looked to capitalise on the opposition’s weaknesses without leaving themselves open to the counterattack. However, BUCS football it is also a show of technique, skill and quality in the final third. This is all on display in this game and much more!

From the Kick-off we opted to go long, sending the ball deep into Manchester’s half and asking the question from their centre backs. They replied with a header straight back in our direction, and we knew this team would take some breaking down.

The opening exchanges were tense, playing on the safe side and trying to test the defenders with balls over the top. Manchester managed to get into our half for the first time, and one lapse of concentration defensively meant a Manchester Free Kick (far out on the right side of our 18-yard box). The ball was whipped in with pace- and their centre back flicked the ball with his head. The ball hugged the goal post the whole way and at the last second recached into the net past the stretched arms of Dixon. 1-0 to Manchester (we were now fighting an uphill battle for the next 80 minutes).

We struggled to infiltrate their middle line for the next ten minutes, but we continued to dominate possession and knew our chance would come. Bramwell played a nice low driven ball into the path of Phil Kay, reaching the by-line and standing the ball up for Boothroyd (the keep just about managed to claim it). However, this was a good sign- the first time we managed to get through and we were testing the keeper!

Line breaking balls, smart link-up play and attacking-minded decision making followed from Durham. Wild sent the ball long from a deep free-kick, with Boothroyd competing and causing the ball to drop at the edge of the 18-yard box. Bramwell managed to claim it, fake-shooting with his right and transferring it to his left foot- earning himself a yard of space. He drilled the ball on his weak side, hitting the bottom left post and nestling into the bottom corner! 1-1 was the score and Durham were back in the game.

We started to build higher up the pitch, becoming more confident playing through the lines. Challinor’s long throws tested their scrambling defenders, creating chances for Durham, including for Wild, who would have had his name on the scoresheet had the Manchester defender not deflected the ball out for a corner. We were continuing to build, dealing with their powerful counter-attacking threats and winning second balls all across the park.

Durham continued to get the ball into the box, causing confusion and testing Manchester’s defensive positioning. Another chance dropped to Bramwell and this time he sent the ball just over the bar, deflecting on its way through from an onrushing Manchester player. The defensive effort was diligent, throwing their bodies in front of the ball to stop Durham taking the lead!

Kay was put through a couple of times, with good saves from the keeper and strong defensive cover from the opposition’s back line. However, our ball from Dixon through to Boothroyd was continuing to cause problems, allowing Durham to develop up the pitch and take opposition territory. A similar move, with slightly more development, saw Boothroyd out on the left-wing area, running at the Manchester right-back. He managed to stand a ball up at the back post with good detail, searching for Cooke. The keeper came clattering into the Durham right-back, and then proceeded to clatter Kay as he attempted to get a quick shot off. Penalty.

After a long pause in play, Kay stepped up and fired the ball past the keeper into the net. 2-1 to Durham and we were ahead! The half-time whistle followed quickly after and we returned to talk in our respective teams. On the Durham side, the team talk involved comments on game management, calm decision making and keeping the ball playing in the opposition’s half. It then soon became time to implement this action plan.

Half Time Durham (1s) 2- 1 Manchester

The second half started slow, with dead-ball situations eating away at the clock. In the early encounters these led to no convincing chances for either team, however Durham was certainly controlling the tempo in the early exchanges. Manchester began to find their flow ten minutes into the second half, forcing Dixon to be alive to their attempts on goal. Durham wasn’t going to let this attempt by Manchester to reassert authority on the game last for long- we cut through their back line with neat play from Hopkins, lofting a ball into Boothroyd who forced a block off the line. This was encouraging as Durham attempted to stamp their mark on the game once more- and with a player down we had a minute to plan our strategy and take on some fluids.

At around the 70-minute mark, Manchester made some changes, bringing on a dangerous midfielder who started to cause problems with his entry to the field. Some smart touches and driving runs allowed Manchester to link-up more freely. However, with our defensive caps on and a few strategic changes from Andy Lowe, we managed to keep the ball far from our goal and finish the game.

Full Time Durham (1s) 2 - 1 Manchester

Overall, the game was a resounding success for Durham, coming from 1-0 down to win 2-1, in what was both a tense and free flowing game of football, depending on the point in the game. The second half was a mature display of game management on behalf of Durham, keeping the ball out of the net and continuing to test the Manchester defence.

Player of the Match: Charlie Bramwell

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Durham (2s) v Sheffield: 15:00 (h)

Written by Frankie Fisher

The game began at a high tempo, with both sides looking sharp and evenly matched in the opening exchanges. We enjoyed promising spells of possession early on, moving the ball well through midfield and finding space out wide. That positive start was rewarded when a dangerous cross from the right caused confusion in the Sheffield defence, resulting in an own goal and giving us a deserved early lead.

Despite taking the advantage, we struggled to maintain momentum and allowed Sheffield to grow into the game. They began to find pockets of space and press higher, forcing us into several defensive moments. A strong solo run and finish brought them level, and they soon capitalised on the shift in momentum by adding a second in quick succession. Just before the break, a scrappy third goal for Sheffield saw us head into the dressing room trailing 3–1, a harsh reflection of what had been an otherwise balanced first half.

Half time Durham (2s) 1 - 3 Sheffield

After regrouping at half-time, we came out with renewed focus and determination. The intensity in our pressing improved, and we began to push Sheffield back, winning more second balls and posing greater threats in the final third. Our build-up play was sharper, but despite sustained pressure, we struggled to carve out many clear-cut opportunities. As the game entered its closing stages, a long throw from Ryan into the box was only half-cleared, and I met the loose ball on the volley from the edge of the area, driving it low into the bottom corner to make it 3–2. The goal injected fresh belief and energy into the team, and we pushed hard in search of an equaliser, committing bodies forward and sustaining attacks deep into stoppage time.

Full time Durham (2s) 2 - 3 Sheffield

Ultimately, we fell just short of completing the comeback, and the final whistle brought a sense of frustration at what felt like a missed opportunity. It was a tough result to take, as the game could easily have gone either way, but there were many positives to build on — from our attacking intent and work rate to the character shown in the second half. With the quality and togetherness within the squad, there’s no doubt we’ll bounce back strongly in the next fixtures and turn these performances into results

Player of the Match: Frankie Fisher

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Durham (3s) v Sheffield Hallam: 19:15 (h)

Written by Kristian Wigg

After an unfortunate loss in our last fixture we were determined to have a more positive result in the second game of our season. In the warm up energy was high going into our 7:30 kick off under the lights.

Despite the kit clash causing us to wear our shirts inside out we were focused for the game upon us. Sheffield started the faster pressing very high and causing us to force the ball long. Despite losing the ball a few times in the early encounters we found success on the left hand side with Caine having the better of his full back.

The game was very scrappy with the two midfields stopping each other from playing really well consequently there was a lack of chances throughout the first half. The closest either team came was a close ranged free kick from Hallam tipped over the bar by Jasper.

Half time Durham (3s) 0 - 0 Sheffield Hallam

Going into the second half we remained unchanged as we believed that we were the better team and chances would come. Countless times we found ourself in their final third but due to poor execution and decision making we couldn’t carve out many chances, thankfully neither could Hallam.

After a very cagey affair both teams walked away with a draw which seemed fair after all of the players fought very hard for the full 90 minutes. Chances were few and far between with both teams seeming to fall short at the final pass. A goalless draw was a very fair result.

Full time Durham (3s) 0 - 0 Sheffield Hallam

After the game, my teammates and I were pleased with the effort that we put in to the match however disappointed with the result. However, full focus shifts to our game next Wednesday in the cup where we hope to progress to the next round of the cup against Leeds 4s.

Player of the Match: Kristian Wigg