The boys were once again a little slow to show much hunger for a win in our match against Durham Choristers. It was a scrappy game with most of the good passing initially being done by our opponents while an awkward wind blew across the pitch.
Saki started today and used his strength to reasonable effect to break up numerous attacks. Stage two in his development as a footballer is to learn to kick the ball in the direction of a player wearing a similar shirt. I'm possibly being unfair picking on Saki - he did actually put a great deal of effort into his game from the first whistle, determined to impress - others in the team also struggled to deliver the ball successfully, giving away possession far too readily. We inevitably conceded a goal after failing to clear properly from defence.
The half time ‘hairdryer' treatment was intended to inspire greater effort and this, possibly, combined with perhaps a tiring opposition led to our equaliser, a stunning volley from the edge of the area by Harvey Wright. Sorry; I jest. A corner kick resulted in a bobbling ball that found its way to the goal line which, in the undignified melee, was eventually nudged across the line by Harvey. Credit to him for being there - it might never have otherwise made it across the white line.
A penalty kick awarded for hand-ball gave the Durhamites the opportunity to regain the upper hand. Thankfully, Jack didn't have to make the save as the ball skidded wide of the upright.
At the other end, the Chorister's goalie had been in excellent form, making a few very good saves - something which yesterday's keeper was not called upon to do. He was unable to do anything about a shot from Edward Thompson inside the area, though, as we swept into a somewhat unexpected lead. With the clock ticking, it looked like we might have nicked a win. Cameron had been pushed forward, replaced at the back by Tom Pycock, after Joe Nordli was brought off, hobbling. The young Fijian has been eye-catching in both matches this week and may well find himself in a more attacking position in our next match against Woodleigh/Bramcote on Saturday, as his drive and skill seemed to galvanise those around him to more positive movement.
An equaliser unfortunately materialised, however, as we left gaps in defence, through which attackers raced. It was celebrated ecstatically - which, some would say, went surprisingly unpunished by an admittedly less grumpy than in the first half referee. Thank you Mr Glen.
It was, I suppose, a fair result. We'd faced a team that contained two outfield players picked for the NE schools team and one or two others who knew their way around a football pitch plus a goalie who wouldn't be far behind our own behemoth between the sticks in the pecking order.
Team: J. Charters, E. Lodge, C. Keanurico, S. Kaitoga, J. Elliott, S. Jones, N. Chapman (sub. H. Wright), E. Thompson, C. Buchanan, J. Nordli (sub. T. Pycock), C. Tannahill
Score: 2 - 2
