Durham win with captain absent

After narrowly missing out on a winning goal last week, Durham came out on top in a game with too few chances for both teams.
Durham started brightly and pressed Stokesley high up the pitch. This pressure caused errors from Stokesley but unfortunately Durham did not capitalise on this good work and soon Stokesley's extra man in midfield paid dividends. Stokesley caused Durhams outstanding defence no real problems and had several short corners cleared away. Durham played on the counter and Jorgenson, when not arguing with umpires(tut,tut), spun past defenders without producing any end product.
Durham's breakthrough came via Bailey on the stroke of halftime as he put away the short corner expertly as he had also done the previous week. At halftime both teams were looking for improvements which did not materialize. City's counter attack became long ball lottery and helped a young Stokesley side play.
Durham managed only two more attacks of note, with Jorgenson feeding Stevens only for a bobble to upset the play and Stevens returning the favour only to play an ambitious aerial too close to the keeper. After back chat from Jorgenson, the Green card he received was as lucky as Pearce's leave on a short corner for the shot to hit the post. A blot on a great display by the defence, with support by Robinson and Walker, and Fitz producing an eye-catching performance. This season when the captain is absent, Durham win.