QE v Darlington College

30th April

Squad: (4-4-2 Diamond)
K.Thompson
S.Read (3) (MOM)
H.Spence
J.Marshall (1)
J.Clark
A.Grocott
N.Wright
P.New
L.Kershaw (Number 10)
C.Edwards (3)
D.Wardale (1)

Subs:
H. Herraghty

The venue for this particular game was Darlington Rugby Club, and the players made their own way to the game. Sam Read took first year prodigies Clark and Nath in his silver corsa. Marshall in the 1.6 Astra (with GB sticker) was accompanied by Wardale, Spence and Edwards who enjoyed Florida Georgia Line's newest album. Kershy then picked up the stragglers. The pre match music was supplied by Sam Read on his Ipad, a mixture of house and techno.

QE started the game slow with the home team breaking the offside trap however Thompson saved well in the one v one situation. The opening goal of the game was scored by Edwards who used his blistering pace to leave the tech central defenders before finishing around the keeper. The home team equalised after after a short kick by Thompson put QE under pressure before a fine finesse finish from the edge of the box. Edwards scored his second of the afternoon and a rebound from a Read shot fell to the poacher.

Marshall Goal: Qe corner, the ball is floated into a dangerous area of the box. With the assistance of Wardale, Marshall loses his marker and makes a powerful run toward the ball. Rising the highest Marshall powerfully headed the ball towards the far corner leaving the stranded keeper with no chance. Marshall, Read and Kershy celebrated in the corner by completing the Julia 'Pogo' celebration. This turned out to be the winning goal. 

HT 3-1

The second half began with a crossfield switch being brought down by gaffer Scott on the inside of the left foot and being kept up repeatedly. The in form Edwards completed his hat trick after miscontrolling a wonderfully whipped cross from Jordi Alba.

Goal - Darlington College Penalty (Given away by either Grocott/Kershaw or Thompson) I am unsure.

I now hand over to Northern League Sam Read to talk through his first hat-trick for the famous purple and black. 

"After receiving some harsh words from Mark "just pass" Scott at half time I knew myself we weren't at the races today and were playing very poor. We were fortunate to be in leading at half time and knew we had to up our game. This Martin Gray side were well drilled and playing the Martin Gray way: hit the channels, don't contemplate passing out of trouble and if in doubt make an over zealous challenge. It was the 54th minute and the ball was switched from H Spence looking ever the more Phillip Mexes-esc as the game went on to myself in the right full back position. Spence was playing in his 73rd derby fixture between the two teams however this is expected to be his last after finally wrangling together enough UCAS points from unknown sources to go to university. A sharp intelligent run from first year Craig Edwards utilized the space in behind the Darlington defence. Using my nach personality feeling the need to achieve something from this game I continued my run to just inside the box where the ball was played back at perfect weight for me to slot in the corner. The second goal again came from a switch utilising the space we had out wide where the ball was played into the box only for myself to turn and volley the ball left footed Zidane- esc. The final goal came from a run down the wing from Harry Herraghty who was fouled and after attending Dolphin Centre Gym and circuits with QE's answer to Ronnie Coleman Paul New it was clear know one was going to argue with myself. The penalty was scored and the hatrick completed. However I would like to use this moment to publicise the fact that I still haven't received match ball from the day and can only assume that it is being sorted as we type. 

The home side converted another penalty which was given away by highly experienced veteran Spence. The tackle could only be described as a Pascal Cygan swooping lunge. The final goal of the game came from top scorer Wardale who cut in of the wing to finish expertly in the bottom corner.

Final Score: 8-3
Attendance: 987

Footnote: Match ball to be posted to P.Carroll (Room 181)