Men's 1's vs Durham City 1's

On Thursday evening the Mens 1’s travelled to the amazing facilities of Maiden Castle to take on Durham City 1’s. A team in the league above and with some very experienced and talented players we knew we were in for a tough game. Having agreed to play quarters we wanted to play a high intensity press throughout with the emphasis on getting forwards as much as possible. Durham started brightly and had a few chance in the first quarter, forcing saves from Jus in goal and Josh on the post from a short corner. After Dhruv wore a shot on goal like an absolute champ they did manage to find the net, smashing it past Jus and into the top left, unfortunately we just gave him too much space. Their second wasn’t far behind, coming from us being slightly negative from our pressing side. Shortly before the half time whistle we had some chances on goal, a series of short corners which were well defended. Their goalkeeper was forced into 2 saves before half time when Josh took a long corner quickly and found his way to the baseline and through their defence, forcing the goalkeeper in to a save. A second chance came from pressing high and forcing them into passing it in Josh’s path to take it through to a 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper. Trying to slide it past the keepers left kicker he managed to just get a toe on it to take it wide. A short corner goal from them just before half time made it 3-0 at the mid way point. 

Quarter 3 started much brighter for us and with a higher starting press emphasised we gave them few chances forcing them back down the pitch. A string of outstanding saves in the quarter from Jus kept us in the game, an excellent performance for such a young lad playing a team a few leagues above what he played last year, definitely one to watch! We created chances including Luke taking it round the keeper and putting it on target, only for it to be cleared off the line but the umpired awarded a short corner? Interesting decision given it was going into the goal… this showed that the fight was still there from the lads. We gave them a few simple goals in the final quarter unfortunately as our intensity dropped they kept going. A simple tap in at the back post and a well worked goal saw them take a dominant lead. There was time for us to get a consolation goal however. After what felt like our 10th short corner, Dhruv accurately injected wide of the 1st stopper, allowing Josh to take it left, wide of the number 1 runner and slap it into the goal between goalkeeper and left postman, leaving a few of their players baffled as to how it went in…

Final score 5-1 to Durham City, but lots of positives to be taken throughout the game. Training will be key as well as 1 more pre season match. Man of the match for me has to go to Dhruv, taking a knock to the head and still playing to his absolute best, great tackles and attacking intent when winning the ball symbolises that. Tough game but we move forwards!