Brigg M1s 0 - 5 Durham City M1s

This season’s fixture list has been rather unorthodox. Back-to-back games against some but none against others. This peculiar arrangement has led to Durham facing an away day top of the table clash on numerous occasions. The match versus Brigg was the third such instance of this phenomenon.

The journey to the northern reaches of Lincolnshire was fairly uneventful. There was a ritual stop at Wetherby, undisputedly the best service station in the Northeast, for the Inbetweeners. A sleeping dragon saved his energy for the hockey pitch and there arose the puzzling question of what Alex and Shez talked about for two hours. Speaking of Shez it was nice to have the wasp back in the team. On a black and yellow insectoid theme my housemate has been saying we need a nickname for the team. My best idea is the Hornets, suggestions are welcome.

The pre-match pep talk was very technical this week, involving HIGH POWER and population statistics. Who knew Brigg was only home to 5600 people. There was even a small supporters contingent at the isolated venue. Word gets around about the Hornets. The game began and unlike last week Durham had more control. Instead of cheap double turnovers, we maintained possession and shifted the ball around with purpose. The opening goal came about 10 minutes into the first half. A short corner that went to the right of Matt Kettley meant he had to improvise with a slap to the back post. Miraculously it missed everything and thudded into the backboard. A just reward for some good opening play. The first half was on the whole comfortable, but Blair was forced into making some solid saves to keep Durham ahead. The Home team’s best opportunity came when their forward picked the ball off a lackadaisical Alex, but he was tackled just before he could register a shot. The overconfident defender was saved from his chat backfiring. The second goal of the game remains a mystery. I have no idea how it happened, but if I was to imagine it, Stevie must have been on the end of a flowing passing move that put Durham two-nil up. The score remained unchanged until half-time.

The biggest frustration in the first half was a lack of quality in the final third. Despite keeping the ball high up the pitch more goals could have come from better decisions and crisp passes around the concentration of opposition defenders. A light drizzle and stronger breeze took hold as the second period began.

The first goal this half was crucial for the game. Durham seized the initiative via a characteristic JB pounce. He was there to clean up the mess and put the ball in for the third. Number four was a similar scramble in the D. After the ball had been won high up the pitch their keeper made a good save before the ball fell to Anth who’s push shot was deflected. The ball fell to the Dragon who snuck it in off the inside of the near post. His restful journey had paid off. Durham were in the ascendancy. Line breaking passes allowed us to start fast attacks getting at the heart of the Brigg defense. One of these made its way past everyone and a foot race ensued. The brigg defender looked comfortable as he jogged to the ball but a flash of blonde shot across the astro. A sprinting Matt K had the wind behind him. However, he would never reach the ball as it rolled gently off the side. The blonde bullet kept going before pulling up rather awkwardly on the greasy surface, hamstring somehow still intact. Matt was involved again for the final goal as the ball was won high up the pitch and he rounded the keeper in the one-on-one, finishing with a low shot. 5-0, a confident and clinical performance on the road.

Apparently, Durham scranned all the match teas leaving Brigg rather miffed. Must have been the Yorkshire Buffet’s fault, but I was not there to witness it. Durham have now kept a clean sheet in their last 6 matches. 77 days without conceding. Albeit with the winter break in between. A big weekend is on the horizon with two home games scheduled, versus Newcastle Uni and Wakefield 2s. A couple more wins would place Durham on the verge of promotion and the title.

MOM: Plyming . Getting boring now

DOD: Alex. The bastard everyone loves to hate

#Noclue #Betterlatethannever #SleepingDragon