Durham City M1s 7 - 0 Hull M1s

Game number six looked an unlikely event on Friday night with Storm Babet wreaking havoc across the Northeast, however, the thunderous rain had cleared, and the sun was out on a crisp Saturday morning. The pitch was slightly waterlogged and so the cannons weren’t even needed before the fixture, although this had left the pitch a tad slippy, especially for those with new shoes! Storm Babet wasn’t the only one to hit Durham this weekend as the new Storm sponsored club shorts were represented by Alex and the kit officer himself, Shez. There was also good news to report from Hull as Rob had passed his driving test at the first attempt. A full-strength squad meant that there was a number of changes from last weekend as everyone was available meaning that even the joint top goal scorer this year (Tom S) missed out on selection. After watching the end to 2nd team game beforehand the lads were eager to get out onto the pitch and stuck into the game.

The game didn’t start well for the home side as about 5 minutes in a long aerial from a Hull defender was misjudged by everyone and the Hull forward was able to square the ball into the D forcing Mason to make an awkward tackle that led to the first short corner of the game. The initial routine hit a foot and so another corner was awarded. A straight strike from the top of the D could have nestled into the corner if it was for the nonchalant save from Blair, who pushed it away with ease, releasing the early pressure.

Durham would not allow this early scare to worry them, reasserting control. About 15 minutes in Durham won their first short corner and just like clockwork a low drag into the bottom left corner was fired home by Dobbo. Durham was now firmly on top, and they grabbed a second soon after. John B, finding himself higher up the pitch today by playing as a forward, read the pass from the centre back, picked the ball off, beat the defender who had just made the mistake and slotted the ball into the goal. A clinical finish from our press that Hull were struggling to beat.

After the restart, Hull had created an attack down their right flank and Dobbo quickly came across to cover but made a bit of a mess with a less than elegant challenge resulting in a green card for the Durham defender. At only two-nil this might have spurred on the visitors but the short period down to 10 seemed to be over before it had begun with Durham retaining possession calmly. One more goal was to come before half-time as another Durham short corner was saved and the resulting scramble fell to Plyming, who like Shez loves a 2-yard goal, with the ball trickling over the line for a third.

The chat a half-time was fairly straightforward, keep making good decisions up front and make sure they don’t have a chance of getting back into the game. Hull came back out with this exact attitude. They now started pressing high, flying out at our fullbacks, and cutting off the ball to our halfbacks. A slight readjustment was needed as Durham seemed surprised at the extra aggressive press. However, this allowed the ball to be played more directly to the midfield and forward line, who won another corner for Durham in the 42nd minute.

Now I have a small confession to make as the reporter. If there was ever the slightest possibility that I might score or if by some miracle I managed to record a goal the following right up might be a tad self-indulgent. However, I will try my best to refrain from too many embellishments and ego boosting comments.

After some surprisingly effective drags (push-passes) on Tuesday training and with some strong encouragement from Mason (thanks for this), Will (that’s me) was lined up on the top of the D for a short corner routine. The crowd waited with bated breath, well perhaps not but the ball was injected and stopped by Plyming at the top of the D, all it needed now was a low flick for a deflection at the far post. The flick came but flew straight past Matt K running in. Was it destined for a goal? Agonisingly it hit the post with the recognisable ring of the metallic frame. So close but yet so far. Adding insult to injury the ball fell neatly to Rob who was able to place it into the middle of the goal for number four. Barely an assist and as Rob kept saying the shot was “Off Target”!

The goal put Durham out of sight and the opposition seemed to drop their heads. Shortly after Durham put together a passing move that left the supporters ‘purring’. A great move out from the back beat the Hull press giving Rob space to drive towards the D where he found Ben near the baseline who played the simplest of passes for Plyming to tap it in. His second goal of the day from a brilliant flowing move involving five or six passes that is certainly a goal of the season contender. Durham’s sixth came a few minutes later, a Dobbo aerial was taken down well by Shez who played it back to Ben for a slightly wild slap into the D that Mason clipped in, helping the ball into the far corner.

With score line so heavily in Durham’s favour Hull became a bit ragged and Durham could have scored more especially when their player was green carded for arguing back to the umpire. However it wasn’t until right at the end of the game two minutes from time that Durham scored their last goal. Another short corner was mistrapped by Plyming that meant Dobbo couldn’t drag the ball at goal. In a moment that was slightly surreal he simply pushed the ball into the D himself and dragged it into the bottom right corner with ease. Game over. A comprehensive win against a side that we were unable to best last season.

No game for Durham next week as we are away on ‘International Break’. Marton Furness awaits at Home in two weeks’ time. The first section of the season has exceeded all expectations and now hopes are high for the stretch of games before Christmas., including back-to-back fixtures versus Doncaster and the first local derby of the year against Durham Uni.

MOM- Mason and Plyming; Solid in the Midfield plus a goal/Two goals and some skillful play up front.

DOD-Ben; Another “Bambi on Ice” moment made even worse with the shiny new shoes.

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