After a solid point last weekend, the first home fixture of the year saw Doncaster 2s travelling up to Durham. The last time these two opponents met was two years prior in the league below. City won comfortably that day, on the way to an unbeaten title charge. However, this Saturday would be a different challenge altogether. Despite the sun peeking through the heavy clouds, rain was in the air as the teams began to warm up before the game. There was also a league debut for the young Noah, who’s youthful energy and attacking prowess, are a great addition to the forward line.

City started with the same positive energy as last weekend. On the front foot from the off, Durham dominated possession and territory, pinning Doncaster into their own half for the first 15 minutes. However, unlike last week, all the early pressure was reward with a goal. With the rain coming down, the deadlock was broken in the sixteenth minute as the ball was played to Stevie at the top of the D. He was then able to fire an effort goalwards for his brother Matt to deflect the ball high above the outstretched goalie into the roof of the net. Matt’s second goal of the season and another one for the family photo album. With the Doncaster defences breached, City pressed home their advantage. Only five minutes later, a breakaway gave city the opportunity to double to score. Matt K, setting up rather than finishing the chance this time, played a perfectly weighted ball to Connor, who was alone on the edge of the D. With just the keeper to beat, Connor took the ball wide round the goalie and unleashed an excellent reverse stick shot that reverberated off the backboard to double City’s lead.

As the game ran on, the rain became heavier. Perhaps, the floodgates (quite literally, given the weather) could have opened and Durham might have added a flurry of goals before the half, however, City’s level dropped just before the break. We were still on top but offered less control. When the half-time whistle blew, all the players were drenched by the worsening downpour, the score still 2-0.

The game continued to be dogged by the weather, with the rain unrelenting in the second period. City were hoping to grab a quick couple of goals and kill the game off early into the second half. However, Doncaster came out with renewed enthusiasm, pressing more aggressively and causing Durham more problems than they had in the first period. On a few occasions, a scrappy double turnover left a Doncaster forward free one on one versus Blair. Little did they realise that in the last three seasons, only once have we seen the Scottish keeper beaten by a lone forward. And so, on each occasion Doncaster squandered the chance to get back into the tie. Despite, their increased attacking threat, City were close to breaching the Doncaster defence and find the crucial 3rd goal. Half a dozen times balls were fired across the face of goal without any finishing touch being applied. And so, the game finished with the scoreline the same as at halftime, 2-0. A solid performance, that gives the team much encouragement with a trip away to Leeds 2s coming up next weekend.

The day was topped off with a great evening to celebrate the club’s latest achievement, being crowned club of the year. Curry and quizzing were enjoyed by all. Guaranteed Answers, the quiz team made up of one half of the men’s 1s (including Chris Brown) were also triumphant and the prize money has been added to the kitty for an end of season night out.

MOM: Blair (Very good 1v1 saves in the second half)

DOD: Blair (An overly aggressive but well directed kick)

#PrayforNaan #GreatYear