Durham City M1s 3 - 4 Chesterfield M1s

https://app.veo.co/matches/20220106-chc-m1s-vs-dchc-08975f22/

(first durham goal at 21 minutes - rest linked in highlights below)

A thrilling 3-4 loss to a surprisingly international Chesterfield side at MC this week saw us come our closest yet to winning some points. It was not to be, but analysis follows a retelling of the match, peppered with quotes from Chesterfield’s own match report.

Chesterfield got ahead early, a short-corner to the bottom right putting the score at 0-1. However, we stayed composed and began to effectively implement yet another new press. We looked fantastic when we got it right, which we did for around fifteen minutes. Matt Kettley scored all three in quick succession. Anth, Shez, and Steve can all pat themselves on the back for their involvement in the various goals with some clinical passes and weaving runs, though some may argue that some dodgy keeping sealed Matt’s hat-trick. Chesterfield called our third ‘deserved’ and reported that it left them ‘rocking.’ Finally, we were making our mark in the league and gaining some respect. We no longer felt like whipping boys. Yet Chesterfield rallied and started playing better. Ever reliant on their set-pieces, Chesterfield won a stroke from a short-corner when the ball found its way to Chris Brown’s foot. Was his foot on the line? Debate raged in the showers and the clubhouse later, but at the time it didn’t matter. The ball went left; the keeper went right. 2-3. Before the half’s end, Chesterfield equalised with another a short-corner, this time high and right.

The goalfest of the first-half was replaced with caginess in the second, where Chesterfield ‘enjoyed much more possession’ and ‘didn’t chase the game.’ Both teams had opportunities, but neither seemed able to convert. Whilst we were under pressure, we kept pushing forward. Our press was patchy, meaning Chesterfield managed to get through frustratingly often. The winning goal came when our attack broke down and Chesterfield countered. A one-on-one materialised, with the mullet-sporting Tasmanian forward taking it round Matt Coe and coolly converting. 3-4. What made things worse was that he should not have been on the pitch: George Sutton had been in his ear all game and had received a kick for his trouble, the umpires didn’t see, but the Chesterfield camera did. We look forward to reviewing the footage. This ruckus was only the tip of the iceberg. Things were cagey. This was the first time we truly gave back some of the physicality we received. Yet for all our virility, we couldn’t equalise. The game ended 3-4.

If you are interested in our opposition’s view of the game, give https://www.chesterfieldhockeyclub.com/teams/228455/match-centre/1-10897835/report a read. It is quite brief, clearly not written by a student with too much time, but full of statements from the team. They even said ‘both teams did themselves immense credit.’ At times, we were unplayable. Our consistency let us down. Overall, though, our performance this week has far more positives than negatives: some more superb performances from our youngsters, some more goals, and a team spirit rejuvenated – we are contenders in this league! Our first three matches have been against relegated teams and we have got better and better. Next weekend sees us play Hull away, but we can hold our heads high after this weekend.’ Once we learn how to close out games when we’re ahead, the points will come.

MoM: Matt Kettley (Matt-trick)

DoD: Shez (For saying George was ‘Built like a tank’ – what?)

#GoalsGetPies #BuiltLikeATank #HairOfTheDog