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United Keep Their (Gates)Head In Lively Clash Under The Lights

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Durham United vs Gateshead Leam Rangers

Wearside Premier Division

Thursday 16th January 2025

Maiden Castle, DH1 3SE

19:30


Written by Rory Edwards



The boys pose for a post-match photo
The boys pose for a post-match photo

With BUCS fixture on the Wednesday and an emphatic 10-0 win on the weekend we were ready for this game. We knew it would be a big one with Gateshead Leam only 2 points behind us, but we were confident. 


Another positive was that we had lots of boys down to support which we will get onto later…

However, the game had a nervy start as they came at us with a high press that meant we gave the ball away cheaply at times. As a result I’d say it was pretty even up until the 30 minute mark, at which point we made a slight tactical change. 


This tactical masterclass is exactly how our first goal came about. A quick counter attack from Zach where he beat a few and played a lovely ball into Gwill who managed to tuck it away, adding another goal to a pretty decent tally this season. We were all absolutely buzzing. 


It didn’t take long for us to double the lead through from a cross resulting in a collision between Gwill and their goalie which meant the ball fell to me. I shifted it onto my left and got a shot off which deflected pretty heavily into the net (yes it was on target). 





Before the half ended there was a pretty interesting incident where I nearly got my leg snapped in half. The ball was cleared into a space known as ‘no man’s land’. I went chasing after it and so did an opposition player, however we both knew I was getting there first.


Instead of slowing down and maybe trying to defend me, he'd now decided that he was committed to the tackle. I managed to nick the ball and get out of the way, only fractionally missing out on some studs to the knee in an outrageously dangerous slide tackle.


This attempt had our entire team, bench, and crowd erupting in anger, which caused their coach to get even more angry than us. As our bench waved their arms about, the defender tried to protest his innocence to our substitutes, no doubt assuring them that, despite being late to the tackle, he got there as quickly as he could.


Having pretty much got straight back to me feet to have a (genuinely) quiet word with the lino, I clearly didn't sell the severity of the tackle enough, and he was given a yellow card. I might need to take some notes from Mr Dan Katsande. 


This meant we went it at half time 2-0 up - having turned it around in the final 15 minutes - and, luckily for me, two legs intact. 


Half-Time: Durham United 2 - 0 Gateshead Leam Rangers


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We continued the second half in a similar vein, dominant in all areas and playing some lovely fluid football. Having said this, our next goal was from a long throw. It sounds bad I know but, trust me, we were popping it. 


Ellis' cannon of a throw-in dropped at my feet, via a couple of head, and I managed to squeeze it into the bottom corner with my swinger. I wheeled away in celebration and opted for the Harry Kane classic (if you know you know) and I still don’t really know why. 


After this, we had a free kick on the edge of the box that I was dying to take but after Zach scored one earlier this season, I couldn’t take it off him. He then proceeded to hit the crossbar, so no complaints could be had and, unfortunately for me, I don’t think I’ll be seeing any free kicks this season after that attempt. 


We then scored another with a through ball from me through to Charlie who slotted it away to make it 4-0, properly finishing the game off. 


At this point the crowd were absolutely loving it; captained by Ryan Cook, they were cheering us on and giving the opposition plenty of stick. It got so bad that one of their players tried smashing the ball at our lads in the stand but his ‘shot’ was so bad he hit two of his own teammates. Honestly one of the funniest things I’ve seen on a football pitch. The lads absolutely loved it and, if anything, this made them louder. 


All in all, it was a great game for us against a difficult opposition and we were all buzzing to come away with the 3 points. 


On his second Wearside League appearance, Pitsy picked up the POTM match as, for 90 minutes, he did his best impression of a Formula 1 car down the right wing. Whilst also securing a clean sheet, he progressed possession countless times down the right-hand side, and often had the pin-point crosses to finish it off. He may have ended with an extra assist or two if the finishing was on the same level as the deliveries...


Full-Time: Durham United 4 - 0 Gateshead Leam Rangers


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If you want to watch some of the highlights we had a fan vlog his experience of the game! Check it out here if you’re interested:



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Player of the Match: George Pitsillides


Line-Up: Harry Archer; Chris Wild; Freddie Merrett; Ellis Challinor; George Pitsillides; Ollie England; Alex Dinan; Charlie Bramwell (Goal); Rory Edwards (Goal x2); Zach Alfalahi; Fin Gwillim (Goal)


Substitutes: Patrick Dixon; Sam Benoist; Jonah Blake; Fred Walton; Phil Kay


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