by Jeff King (With A Huge Nod To Colin Wotherspoon)
Wearside League Division One - Saturday 22nd March 2025 New Durham FC 1 v 6 Chester-le-Street United Reserves
United's young reserve side looked to bounce back to winning ways after last Saturday's narrow defeat against a strong Barnard Castle side.
The condition of the pitch was a concern before the game as to weather the Reserves could produce their normal possession based game but all credit to the group of players who produced a very good attacking display from the first whistle.
Kymani Severin started through the middle and caused the Durham defenders all sorts of problems with his hold up play and pace when in behind. Both wide players were a constant threat in Evan Cubby and Harvey Lawrence.
Plus United controlled the middle of the park with ability and energy on the ball from Keane Mitchell, Matty Henderson and the impressive Olly Dixon.
Chester's back in Joe Sykes, Dan Walton, Riley Everett and Finn Cook did not have much to do defensively as United controlled the game but all four played their part in how controlled and reliable they were in the side's patient build-up play.
United had many opportunity’s to take the lead but surprisingly it did not arrive until just before the break when great work from Dixon to find Severin inside the box and he found the bottom left hand corner.
So, the United lads went into the break 1 - 0 in front and it should of been more. Coach Wotherspoon was delighted with how well his charges had played first half and just asked that they kept up the same work rate second half and look to be more clinical in the final third.
United started the second half as they had finished the first on the attack and got their second within minutes. Cubby did brilliant on the right hand side before picking out Dixon who arrived late in the box.
When Cubby put the ball in his path, Dixon made no mistake firing across goal into the far corner to put us 2 - 0 in front and in total control of the game.
Within minutes Durham found themselves back in the game when a late rash tackle from Walton resulted in the referee awarding a penalty that they smashed home to half the deficit 2-1.
But all credit to the young reserve lads who continued to play great football on a tricky surface and it was not long before Mitchell got a flick to another Cubby cross to make it 3-1.
The confidence from United was in full flow by this stage and Lawrence made it four with an easy finish after good build up play from the team.
United introduced all four subs at this stage and they helped keep up the pace, control and high standards. Joe Walls went on the left hand side and was tidy and reliable on the ball, Leo Fasuan gave us grit and energy on the right.
Jude Anderson replaced Severin through the middle up top and scored 2 very good goals with the help of double assists from Olly Dixon.
It was also great to see Jacob Mallinson who has been out injured for a long time with ACL damage come on but he was soon replaced as he didn’t feel comfortable moving with the pitch in the condition it was in.
Colin Wotherspoon Post-Game Comments :
The game ended with the young reserve lads comfortably winning 6 - 1. I was really pleased how we went about our game today. We showed we can compete when it gets physical but more importantly our ability as a team in possession was there for all to see. I enjoyed watching us play today
TEAM : 1. Harry Telfer 2. Joe Sykes 3. Finn Cook 4. Matty Henderson 5. Dan Walton 6. Riley Everett 7. Evan Cubby 8. Keane Mitchell 9. Kymani Severin 10. Olly Dixon (c) 11. Harvey Lawrence
SUBS : Joe Walls, Leo Fasuan, Jacob Mallinson, Jude Anderson
SCORERS : Severin, Dixon, Mitchell, Lawrence, Anderson 2
MAN of the MATCH : There were a few contenders but Olly Dixon gets the nod for his all round tenacious display coupled with his goal and 3 - 4 assists that he produced.
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