Wednesday 6th November 2024
On Game Week 5, it was only the 2s who played in Durham, as they faced Liverpool in the cup. As a team top of the same division level - just in a parallel league - it would be a great test and, with a cup run a distinct possibility, there was an added level of excitement.
Although away from home, the 1s didn't have too far to travel, sitting on the bus for just 45 minutes before arriving at Northumbria. Having won all of our first three games so far this season, a trip away to our county neighbours could prove to be the toughest test yet.
The 3s - for the second week in a row - had a fair way to travel, as they made their way to Lancashire to play against Manchester 1s. Playing against a side with two wins in a league two divisions above our 3s, it would certainly be the biggest challenge of the season so far.
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Northumbria 2 - 0 Durham (1s) (A): 15:00
Written by Rory Edwards
We arrived in Northumbria two and a half hours early to due to timings with the coach. However, when the game of 'drafts' came out to pass the time, all ideas of work went out the window.
After a few horror shouts including choosing N’golo Kante as one of the top 3 sportspeople ever (Ellis Channelor) and John Stones as best ever centre back (Fin Gwillim), the 2 hours flew by and we were all in good spirits.
Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worst due to a mixed reception to the song choices of Freddie Walton and then realising we had to warm up on a squelchy patch of grass outside the changing rooms. Not ideal.Â
Now moving on to why you’re actually here… the football. The game had an aggressive start as we played on a very tight 3G pitch, not leaving much space for either team. They were, as expected, right up for it and it was a battle from minute one.
After 20 minutes of toing-and-froing Northumbria played a long ball in behind our defence and a clinical finish meant they went ahead.
As the half went on we grew more and more into the game but, despite our good build up play, we didn’t really create any clear cut chances, barring one or two moments from set pieces. Going in at half time 1-0 down, we had the belief we could come back; as Fin Gwillim said, ‘we’ve been here before’. Â
Half-Time: Northumbria 1 - 0 Durham (1s)
The second half was more of the same as the intensity remained high and we continued to try and break down their mid-block. We managed to get through a few times with some good football, especially with Seb Hopkins’ impact off of the bench.
Despite the pressure that we were building, Northumbria managed to get another goal that came from a long throw down the line. Although that didn’t stop us from trying to play and create chances, it was enough for Northumbria to see the game out 2-0.Â
In reflection, I think we had a good display without creating any clear cut chances in the final third. We play them again in the cup in a couple of weeks and that game is sure to be one of a similar, very high standard.
With regard to the player of the match, I’d have to give it to the club captain Freddie Merrett. After missing the last 2 games due to injury, he barely put a foot wrong and was a real focal point in possession creating a lot of the chances we had from deep. Â
On the way back, to lighten the mood, a few of us sang; the highlight being Dinan with vocals that even got the fencers applauding, as well as the joke from Phil which got everyone in the bus laughing (I’d recommend you ask him for a repeat).
Full-Time: Northumbria 2 - 0 Durham (1s)
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Player of the Match: Freddie Merrett
Line-Up: Harry Archer; Josh Stewart; Ollie England; Alex Dinan; Freddie Merrett; Ellis Challinor; George Pitsillides; Rory Edwards; Finn Gwillim; Zach Alfalahi; Phil Kay
Substitutes: Jonah Blake; Seb Hopkins; Ossie O'Neill; Fred Walton; Marko Porozovs
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Durham (2s) 2 - 0 Liverpool (H): 15:00, Maiden Castle
Written by George Gompertz
Our match day started by supporting the Netball club - with whom we're teaming up for 'Movember' - as their 3s took on North West opposition, dumping Manchester out of the cup.
With a similar task on our hands - facing a North Western uni in the cup - we were hoping to follow suit as we welcomed Liverpool to Maiden Castle.
After some stirring words from Nicolai, we set foot onto the (artificial) turf. It wasn't too long after that - barely a minute after the whistle went - that we took the lead.
Having received the ball out wide from Oli Williams, I played a pass down the line for Ethan Woodcock but, a second after the ball was gone, I was wiped out by their midfielder. I believe that sort of tackle is known as a 'reducer'.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, the only thing that tackle reduced was their ability to win the game. Finn Moore clipped a delightful ball into the box and, after a bit of head tennis, Oli jumped for the ball, causing it to fall right into his path for him to tap it in.
Despite Ryan trying to claim that he "took it past 3 or 4 players" in the build up to the goal, I'm afraid I can't quite give him credit for that given he seems to be the only person who remembers it happening...
Playing good football, creating chances, and with all of the momentum, we didn't wait long before grabbing another.
The move started with Oli playing the ball out wide to myself, and I drove in-field towards goal, taking it past about 14 players in the process (some of them came back for seconds).
Perhaps I've taken writer's privileges a bit too far here, and Oli's comment of "You managed to fumble your way through eventually" is a far more accurate account of proceedings.
After a scramble in the box, the ball eventually made it out to Ethan Woodcock, who opened his body up and slotted it with his instep into the side-netting.
2-0 up and still on top, we created plenty more chances, and perhaps should have scored a couple more. Sacha Lee choosing to pass to an offside player from 6-yards out was definitely one of the better ones, but the best chance should have come when Anthony Selvadoray was blatantly clipped from behind in the box, but it was deemed that there was nothing doing.
Going into the changing rooms at 2-0 up, we were happy with the performance so far but, being a fragile scoreline, we knew we were going to have to be right on it from the first whistle of the second half.
Half-Time: Durham (2s) 2 - 0 Liverpool
When this whistle eventually came after the break, it caused quite a bit of confusion. After the referee checked that both goalkeepers were ready to start the game and he was about to blow his whistle, Christian Pestell shouted out, "REF", from the sidelines.
Perhaps, having seen the referee's generosity in checking that the goalkeepers were ok, Chris wanted to check that the referee was also ok to start the game. Whatever the reason, the referee looked utterly confused, as did the 22 players on the field.
After another attempt at getting the game going, we were back underway...
More Durham dominance resulted in more pressure, possession, and chances. Woodcock did brilliantly to create a chance for himself, chasing a loose ball and performing an Odegaerd-esque slide tackle and turn in one movement.
Although it looked fantastic and was very effective, he paid for with his skin. I'm sure a penalty would have been satisfactory compensation but, when he went down after being challenged from behind, the referee turned it down again.
Pressure continued to build, with both Williams and Nissim looking very comfortable on the ball, and always able to find Ryan Cook out wide with lots of space.
The midfield completely controlled the game from the first whistle, with Finn Moore and Owen Birkett dropping in to receive the ball on the turn, and so often creating promising attacks with precise attacking passes.
Sacha Lee, moving from midfield to play as a front man, offered a lot up front as he was always willing to receive the ball, and constantly linked up play with the midfield and the wide men.
Out wide, Ethan Woodcock and Archie Duggan never gave their defence a chance to rest, with really clever movement and a positive attacking mindset.
Just after the hour mark, Durham made wholesale changes, with Nicolai Lewis, Oscar Cooke, Adam Browne, Ben Crew, and Zane Liles all coming on.
It's credit to Durham's squad cohesion that they didn't skip a beat throughout these changes, but maintained dominance over their opposition.
Yet, despite carving out more chances, a failure to capitalise created a slightly suspenseful last 5 minutes, especially when Liverpool headed just wide from a corner, in what might have been their first shot of the game.
But that would be the only chance they got and, as the referee blew his whistle, Durham went trundling into the next round of the cup.
Player of the Match went to Anthony Selvadoray for a completely dominant performance in midfield, looking completely at ease in the middle of the park, always moving the game forward with one-touch passes and looking to trouble the defence.
Full-Time: Durham (2s) 2 - 0 Liverpool
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Player of the Match: Anthony Selvadoray
Line-Up: Jasper Gourley; George Gompertz; Ryan Cook; Oli Williams (Goal); Max Nissim; Owen Birkett; Archie Duggan; Finn Moore; Sacha Lee; Anthony Selvadoray; Ethan Woodcock (Goal)
Substitutes: Ben Crew; Zane Liles; Adam Browne; Nicolai Lewis; Oscar Cooke
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Manchester 3 - 0 Durham (3s) (A): 16:00
Written by Oliver Tweddle
It was another early start for the 3s, as we headed away, once again, this time to Manchester, looking to keep our Northern Conference cup run moving forward.
It was a 9am departure for the boys despite the match kicking off at 4pm. We were joined on a busy bus with the Women’s 3rd team football and the Men’s volleyball 2nd team which only prolonged the journey as we stopped off to drop the other teams at their matches before we arrived at our venue.
The lads ended up arriving four hours early so, with plenty of time to kill, some of the lads took the initiative and grabbed some high-quality local food from Subway. Some of the other lads, specifically Isaac Jowett, decided they had time to freshen up before the game by getting a haircut.
Once they had all sorted themselves out and got some food on board, we began to mentally prepare for the game which we knew was going to be tough. With a team consisting of only freshers and missing captain Loosemore, the lads were heading into the game against Manchester 1st XI as underdogs.
After a strong warmup, the lads were extremely up for this one even though the referee was nowhere to be seen.
15 minutes later and we were eventually underway with a strong start and a great defensive shape, starting at the back with George Vardon and Jamie Wood winning every ball.
Chances for both teams were scarce in the opening 30 minutes, with a few half chances coming for Tom Gomes and Will Kitching who were leading the line for Durham.
As the end of the first half was closing in, a lack in concentration from Durham resulted in a clinical Manchester side heading into half time 3-0 up.
Half-Time: Manchester 3 - 0 Durham (3s)
Determined to get back into the game, the lads came out for the second half lively and with a more attacking game plan.
Callum Rainsborough, captaining the team for the day, was instrumental in consistently winning back possession for Durham in crucial areas. His efforts allowed the team to launch several counter-attacks in the second half, with Oliver Tweddle providing incisive passes and Gomes making excellent runs.
But, despite creating numerous chances and having dominant spells in the game, the ball just wouldn’t find its way into the net for Durham and a goalless second half resulted in a 3-0 defeat for the lads on the road.
Player Of the Match was a tough one to call as both Paddy Harvey and Callum Rainsborough put in great performances. However, Rainsborough took it after his great defensive display and fight in midfield as well as his ability to step up and show great leadership skills, taking the captaincy for the day.
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Player of the Match: Callum Rainsborough
Line-Up: Florian De Kort; Paddy Harvey; George Vardon; Jamie Wood; Yahya Aiouaz; Sam Checketts; Dan Katsande; Callum Rainsborough; Will Kitching; Oliver Tweddle; Tom Gomes
Substitutes: Tiolu Asagba; James Webb-Wood; Isaac Jowett; Alex Wilkinson
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