A mixed Durham goes away to scalp North Shields

On a late midweek evening, Durham City took away a squad representing a mix of many of the club's fine teams. Every man stepped up to the plate to contribute to what was, on the whole, a convincing victory for Durham City.

The opening 20 minutes of the first half were something to behold. Durham City looked like a team in an entirely different league, with the central midfielders seeming able to control and dominate with consummate ease and the supporting players high and deep getting to dangerous positions to play ping-pong hockey that would make Barcelona FC proud.

It was no surprise then when early into the game, Jambo and Iain Mason, who are rapidly becoming a lethal partnership, linked up well to beat several defenders between them with Mason teeing Jambo up for a powerful finish that the keeper just couldn't get behind.

It did not take much longer for Durham to add to their lead, when Mason was allowed time in the D to pick up the ball on the right, turn and fire a blistering strike past the keeper right in the corner above the backboard for a finish that would be the envy of Jamie Dwyer.

Not much later, after some patient build up play, Pete Jones was able to take time on the ball on the defenders' 25 to put a good pass into the D which Mason expertly deflected high in the top top corner, beyond the keepers reach. 0-3 to Durham and flying high.

North Shields appeared to come to their senses and came out a little more, finding more space and getting out with some dangerous counterattacking moves. Slowly they began to take control more and were able to claw back 2 goals before half time. Confidence was beginning to be restored in the North Shields camp and Durham were keen quash it from the beginning of the second half.

North Shields came out strong though, pressing high and not allowing the Durham players as much space as before. It was more effort for Durham to play out from the back and North Shields persisted and were rewarded for their efforts, whilst keeper Danny Mitchell was unfortunate to not keep out a double save. All equal then between the two teams.

And still, North Shields persisted. And again they were rewarded. Their wide player came in from the left un-marked and was found by an unerring pass. Composed as you like, he slotted it home.

Not liking the position they found themselves in, Durham City began their own shifting up into gear. Determined not to have come all this way late at night to blow a 3-0 lead and lose, they began to pile on the pressure again. They began to win some penalty corners and an improvised routine saw Jambo beat two players on the top of the D, lay it off to Anthony Hulse who beat the keeper, only to be denied by a defender. Mason was on hand however to steal the ball from the defenders grasp to put the ball away into an empty net.

Back on level terms. The pressure and frustration was beginning to get to some of the North Shields players, who became more and more physical, which threatened to turn agressive from a North Shields perspective.

Sensing a victory was nigh, Durham continued to pile on the pressure. Pressing high, Durham won back the ball in the North Shields half. Jambo took advantage of a napping defense to quickly pass to Anthony, who rounded his defender with skill and finesse on the left hand edge of the D for a one-on-one with the keeper. Calm and composed, he slid the ball past the advancing keeper on the near post.

Now ahead and with the end in sight. Durham held strong, but did not rest on their laurels, knowing that rapid counterattack could ruin a one goal lead. They held strong with some cracking defending, crunching tackling and well-anticipated interceptions from Pete Jones and Jamie White. A deserved win from a hard working Durham City side, making the effort of travelling and playing at such a late time worth it.