BUCS GW6: DUAFC Kick Off 2026 With a 9 Point Week

Wednesday 21st January 2026

Durham 1s v Sheffield Hallam: 13:30 (a)

Written by Fin Rose

The first BUCS match day of 2026 saw the 1s travel to Sheffield Hallam on a wet and windy day. The lads started well and we dominated the ball in the first few minutes, but it was Sheffield that went 1-0 up after ten minutes when their striker volleyed it into the top corner from 25 yards.

We stayed positive and continued to play good football, which we were rewarded for when Oli Dixon won a penalty, however, a saved penalty meant Sheffield held onto their lead.

We were eventually rewarded for our pressure just before half time, when captain Rory Edwards put his free kick in the top left corner, making everyone forget about his penalty. 1-1 half time.

Half Time: Durham (1s) 1 - 1 Sheffield Hallam

The lads came flying out in the second half, and we quickly gained the lead when the ball fell to Oli Dixon inside the box, who lifted it over the keeper’s head. The lads continued to keep possession well, creating chances that we should’ve taken to kill the game off. It wasn’t until the 75th minute that the game seemed to be done, when Oscar Cooke poked in a classic Ellis long throw. 3-1.

The game looked done until Sheffield got a scrappy goal off a set piece, which saw a little bit of nerves and some good time wasting towards the end, however, ultimately we took the 3 points back to Durham, with the game ending 3-2.

Full Time: Durham (1s) 3 - 2 Sheffield Hallam

Player of the Match: Fin Rose

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Durham 2s v Leeds Beckett 1s: 19:15 (h)

Written by Archie Duggan

After the Christmas break and a week back in training, we were set to face top of league Leeds Beckett. The first fixture had not exactly gone in our favour so we had a point to prove. With the help of both Chris and David preparing us for this challenge, everyone seemed ready for our toughest challenge yet. This was by no means an understatement.

In the early stages of the game Beckett dominated and continued to show their quality. But the boys dug deep, defended well and ensured we remained well and truly in the game. Aside from a good effort from Dan Rehimbek in behind, the passage of play remained almost entirely in our own half. After what seemed to be an endless stream of corners and challenges won inside our 18, the half time whistle came to our rescue. Deadlock at half time favoured us to say the least.

Half Time: Durham (2s) 0 - 0 Leeds Beckett

Going into the dressing room everyone was thinking the same thing, that despite a slow first half we were still somehow in this game. The coaches gave us some words of motivation (themselves unsure how we managed to keep the ball out the net) as well as some words of encouragement from Max Nissim. There was nothing to lose.

The second half got underway and we started to reverse the narrative. A thoroughly frustrated Beckett started to show signs of weakness. We capitalised. We grew into the game starting to play some nice football, breaking through the lines and having several good chances. Finding space and stringing together some quality passes gave us success and a much needed break from defending. Every player executed their role perfectly, leaving the Leeds team rattled.

An enticing ball was whipped into the box met by a calculated strike from Ethan Woodcock to put us ahead. We could not give up this lead.

Defending tirelessly the backline and midfield kept them quiet and searching for answers. The clock ran down. And then after some effective passages of play the ball was cleared. At which point Monty went down with cramp (allegedly) which conveniently coincided with the signal of his coach. The team huddled around for some final instructions from David. These proved crucial, as the clock ran down Beckett started to protest and foul us. In the final minutes we were back to defending corners. As the ball was cleared for a final time, we had won it. How? I am not entirely sure, but three points nonetheless. With some huge games approaching this was a great performance to build on. Onto the next.

Full Time: Durham (2s) 1 - 0 Leeds Beckett

Player of the Match: Archie Duggan

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Durham 3s v Northumbria 3s: 13:00 (h)

Written by Phillip Strauss

Going into this match, we were all desperate to put things right after losing 4 – 1 away earlier in the season. The mood all week was confident and focused, and after a really strong Monday session and a sharp match warm-up, it felt like we were ready from the first whistle.

The first half was competitive and fairly even, but we looked the more organised side overall. We had a couple of moments where we were just one pass or one phase away from opening them up, but nothing quite materialised. Northumbria had a few chances as well, so we knew we had to stay switched on, and we went into half-time pleased with the performance but knowing we could step it up.

Half Time: Durham (3s) 0 – 0 Northumbria

After a proper pep talk at the break, we came out with a completely different intensity. We started getting through phases quicker, playing forward earlier and pushing the tempo across the pitch and it felt like the game began to swing our way.

We finally broke the deadlock about 15 minutes into the second half when a cross came into the box. I took it off my chest and volleyed it into the far corner to make it 1– 0. Not long after, we doubled the lead on the counter when a ball over the top put me in behind, and I passed it in for Caine to finish into an open goal.

At 2–0, we were really enjoying our football and we could’ve scored more. Northumbria still had moments and we needed some big saves to keep the lead secure, but overall we stayed in control and managed the game well.

With around five minutes to go they pulled one back which definitely made things nervy, but we stayed calm, defended properly as a team, and saw the result out.

A deserved win and a proper response from the whole squad.

Full Time: Durham (3s) 2–1 Northumbria

Player of the Match: Phillip Strauss