Hockey: Durham’s unbeaten record is still intact

Jan 22 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

DURHAM University twice came from behind to protect their unbeaten record in this season’s men’s Northern Premier League at in-form Alderley Edge.

The students went into the game having only failed to win one league game all season, whereas their hosts had won their previous five.

Durham dominated the early possession but failed to convert it into goals. They were punished by a well-taken individual goal which opened the game up. Chris Borrett converted a short corner just before half-time to restore parity.

The second half followed the same pattern, Durham dominating but conceding before Borrett slotted the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs five minutes from time.

Whitley Bay and Tynemouth had a rather less successful trip to the North-West, dropping into the relegation zone with defeat at fellow strugglers Didsbury Northern. They undid the good work of last week’s 7-0 win over Doncaster seconds by losing 4-0.

Forced to field an under-strength side, Tyne were heavily punished. With Doncaster beating York 3-2, the defeat saw them drop into the bottom two.

Stockton came from behind to inflict only a second Division One defeat of the season on Durham’s seconds. Freddie Blackwell’s drag flick put the students in front at Maiden Castle, but goals from Andy Fletcher, Chris Hooker and Oli Stoddart, plus a penalty save saw the second-placed Teessiders narrow the gap on their neighbours at the top of the table to four points. Third-placed Wakefield are level on points with Stockton with a game in hand, however, and improved their goal difference with a 7-1 win at the weekend.

The National League is still on its winter break. Many of the teams are playing indoor hockey but the North-East’s three leading women’s sides, Sunderland, Durham University and Whitley Bay and Tynemouth, are not involved.

RESULTS

MEN – Northern Premier League: Newcastle University 1, Oxton 5; Alderley Edge 2, Durham University 2.

Division One: Durham University II 1, Stockton 3; Didsbury Northern 4, Whitley Bay & Tynemouth 0.

Division Two East: Northumbria St Georges 1, Richmond 2; Slazenger 3, Durham City 6; City of York II 1, Gateshead 6.

WOMEN– Northern League Division One: Broom 1, Formby 0; Berwick 1, Kingston-upon-Hull 2.