12th April 2008, Dunston FFC 1 Durham City 1, League
In very difficult conditions today
Fed and newly crowned league champions Durham City produced a very
entertaining game of football. This had the makings of a mis-match with Fed
missing 7 regulars and having an injured player, an assistant manager and a
keeper on the bench but it was Fed that started the better in the rain. After
6 minutes a 25 yard free kick was headed towards goal but did not trouble City
keeper Caffry. Fed had the better of the possession and most of the play was
in the City half. After 10 minutes another free-kick this time 35 yards out
was met by Stephenson whose header dipped over the bar. 2 minutes later Fed
were almost sucker-punched when Johnston broke down the left with City’s first
attack of the match and found Richardson with a perfect pass and a goal seemed
on the cards but the striker’s effort was just wide. It was Fed who took the
lead on 20 minutes when, from a throw in on the right, Harkin tried a shot
from the edge of the area and although Caffry seemed to have collected his
effort he spilled the ball and Pickering picked up the loose ends. City came
into the game more after falling behind and after 26 Johnston cut in from the
right but his shot was cut out for a corner. 2 minutes later matters were
level when Graydon found Harrison on the right wing who in turn found English
15 yards out who hit through a crowded area giving Clark no chance in the Fed
goal. Fed had a glorious chance to retake the lead after 36 when Preen played
a perfect pass for Harkin whose low shot was saved by Caffry the rebound
falling to Preen whose effort was blocked once again into the path of the
Ballyfin Boh who shot into the side-netting. Fed had the slight upper hand in
the first half with the elements in their favour so City must have felt in a
good position going off level. The first half ended in torrential rain and the
pitch was cutting up badly. If the rain had not eased I could not see this
game finishing as it was conditions were bad for the second half.
City started the second half better and could have been ahead within a minute
of the restart when Johnston’s 30 yards free kick forced a good save from
Clarkie for a corner. The second half was even but City were creating the
better chances and Johnston headed wide from just 6 yards out. On the hour
Richardson cut in from the left and his effort was cut out for a corner. The
resulting corner produced a scramble which ended when Smith headed against the
Fed bar. Seconds later Clark failed to collect a ball he would have done in
normal conditions and the ball fell to Smith who did not connect well and his
effort was scrambled clear. Fed withstood this period of pressure though and
had a chance themselves when Stephenson got clear on the right and his
attempted cross was deflected towards goal where Caffry was forced to save for
a corner. With 10 minutes to go a Harkin corner found Stephenson unmarked 10
yards out and he tried a delicate flick which was over the bar. With 7 minutes
to go sub Stewart Morris almost scored with what would have been a goal of the
season contender when he ran from the halfway line, beat three men, before
hitting just over. With 3 minutes of normal time remaining a good
Stephenson/Campbell move resulted in the latter being in a good position but
shooting directly at the keeper. Despite almost 5 minutes of stoppage time
(Fed are lethal from the 7th onwards) neither side created and a draw a fair
result and both teams should be lauded for the performance in very difficult
conditions.
Fed: Clark, Burns, Dunn, Campbell, Taylor, Dixon, Harkin, Laws, Preen,
Stephenson, Pickering, (Subs: Irwin, Allport, Young)
Durham: Caffry, Harrison, Capper, Dodds, Dixon, Smith, Toft, Graydon,
Richardson, Johnston, English (subs: Davison, C Smith, Morris, Farrell, Bowes)
Stats: Attempts Fed 9 City 13, On target Fed 6 City 5, Corners Fed 7
City 6, Fouls committed Fed 16 City 11, Offside Fed 3 City 6
Fed up News Man of the Match - Harkin
Report By Mr Dave O'Neil