Chesterfield M1s 1 - 5 Durham City M1s

After two wins from two to start the season, expectations were high before the long trip to Chesterfield. After a hard-fought victory away there last year, the Durham lads were hoping to repeat the performance and continue their promising start to the season. Before the hockey could get underway the not so small task of the road trip had to be undertaken.

The party bus (Mason’s Van) was rather light compared to previous away trips, only five youngsters and Anth kept him company on the journey. The Kettley’s had a short detour to Scotch Corner to pick up debutant Alfie, but it would seem that all the cars were going to arrive in plenty of time. Oh, except for Blair’s!

As the team was warming up the light drizzle that was to persist throughout the day began. The rain would not stop and got heavier in parts during the match, leading to some slippy conditions for the game.

Durham started brightly, controlling the ball from the off. The early dominance led to an opener barely five minutes into the game as Plyming passed the ball towards the far post for a Matt K deflection. After the goal Durham continued to threaten with much of the play being confined to the chesterfield defensive third. Dobbo and Alex were able to demonstrate their passing range from the back and the midfield found plenty of space to keep the pressure on the opposition. Despite many entrances into the D and with lots of chances Durham failed to find a second goal before half time. This was both a consequence of some poor decisions in the D and some excellent saves from the opposition keeper. Durham knew the opposition would come out stronger in the second half and the game was still on as the teams emerged for the next period.

It would not be the start Durham wanted as after a foul outside the D, Alex P decided to play keepy-up with the ball, slowly knocking it backwards towards his own goal, he was quickly green carded for his dumb decision. Now down to ten men and with the opposition rallying it could have been a tough two minutes for the visitors, but the time was calmly played out and as the two-minute sinbin ended debutant Alfie sprinted onto the pitch to collect a perfect delivery from Stevie and finish first time into the bottom corner. A brilliant debut goal that was well deserved for his strong forward play all day. Back to eleven Durham were able to regain the control they had in the first half, forcing the chesterfield keeper into more good saves. A number of short corners were to follow, with one leading to Durham’s third goal as Ben’s flick was saved and the ball fell to Shez, who, with his back to goal, hooked the ball in the crook of his stick and spun round, slamming the ball into the backboard.

A following short corner did not go as well as it was filled with a comedy of errors. Even having finalised the routines on Tuesday night there was still some confusion as to which castle the ball was to be delivered. Matt K, the intended target, decided that he would prefer deflecting on this occasion and sprinted out as the ball flew to the space he had deserted. Stunned, Dobbo missed the ball, and it was fortunate to go out on the side line rather than being picked up by a backtracking chesterfield forward.

The flowing attacking play was to continue for Durham as the ball was shifted out to Will on the left-hand side of the D who put the ball in towards the P spot where it was met by a diving Mase, sliding on the soaked pitch to deflect it home for number four.

There was to be some attacking threat from the home side as they looked to break away on the counter. One of these attacks led to a short corner for chesterfield. The flick was unfortunate to sneak under Blair, who’s only touch for the game was to deflect the ball into his own net. The goalie was cursing himself after the attempt as it lost him his clean sheet for the day. Durham scored one more goal right at the end of the game as Plyming hit the ball into the defender’s leg on the line and as the final whistle went a penalty stroke was awarded. Ben Baker, moving quicker than he had all day was stood over the ball ready to take it almost as soon as it was given. Handshakes all round as Ben put it away to restore the four goal difference.

Then the heavens opened, and the rain really started lashing down, but a well-earned beer awaited most of the team as Anth had dug out the leftover cans from the end of season last year. The long journey back was made a lot easier after the victory and as tradition dictated a short stop off at Wetherby services was required where the ‘Yorkshire Buffet’ struck again leading the charge to Greggs. Everyone was looking forward to the curry night later as Durham remained top of the league.

Next week will be another tough test against the only side to come down into the league, Brigg but it provides another opportunity for Durham to continue their winning ways.

MOM- Alfie; great goal and debut performance.

DOD- Shez; Multiple reasons: 1. Speaker Incident 2. Shrek Impression 3. Backwards Aerial

#Homeless #Lightwash #NoRice