Strong 2s team earn first win of season

Early week rumours of a two sub luxury were quickly put to rest as a scratch XI turned up at an overcast Norton looking for their first win of the season. With 5 defenders to choose from Captain Alan Dawson made the tough decision of putting himself in an advanced role of right midfield. While this at least reduced Durham’s potential own goal risk by keeping Alan firmly away from his own area it also meant someone in midfield who could actually tackle high up the pitch rather than the usual token wafting of the stick.

Indeed Durham’s first half chance came from Alan winning the ball well and feeding Tim Hargreaves who couldn’t get a shot away. A reverse stick shot from Nobby into the side of the goal also served as a warning to Norton as the opening 15 minutes was played entirely in the Norton half. Durham kept creating plenty of openings followed by poor decision making around the D. Exemplified by the authors one handed reverse stick dribbler when well placed (note to self-don’t fanny on next time and just hit the thing).

After a lengthy stoppage due to an opponent injury prior to a short corner Durham resumed on the front foot and were rewarded from another short with Tim following up from a blocked shot to flick home into the left corner from the centre of the D. It should also be noted Iain Mason attempted his trademark “drag flick dribbler” however unlike his pre season goal by this method the “shot” wasn’t slow enough to catch the opposition out.

The goal woke Norton into life and after their midfield settled into the game their number 3 was allowed to run through much of Durham’s half unchallenged and plant a good reverse shot into the net.

At half time Durham felt they hadn’t capitalised on the goal and after a brief turnaround they started the second half as they had the first getting good possession high up the pitch and then the most obvious outcome of the day happened – roaming right midfielder captain Alan scored. And it was a good goal too. Collecting a loose ball in the right of D Alan scooped it high to the keepers left. Durham and Alan went in search of another goal almost scoring with a trademark lob which just cleared the crossbar. If anyone listened really carefully they would have heard keeper Danny down at the other end cursing Alan after being on the receiving end of the defenders trademark many a time.

Durham made it 3-1 and the match seemed safe when Nobby scored a reverse stick effort low down from the left of the D, just when we all thought he had lost control of it Nobby applied a great finish and the game looked over. But it wouldn’t be Durham if we didn’t make hard work of it and slack marking from a hit outside the D with 5 minutes left gave Norton a chance of a point they didn’t merit. Durham saw out the remaining time in a professional manner for a change with Dan Lawrence showing the way by taking the ball into the corner. He admits he doesn’t know how to use the club website (so is probably not reading this) for him a tablet means a stone tablet and not an ipad– but give the guy credit he knows how to kill a hockey match.

With no further scares Durham ran out deserved winners – lets hope the 2s can build on this result.

(Report by Jonny Hazell)