QE v. Hartlepool

QE Netball A v. Hartlepool

After a brief warm up thanks to our bus driver parking about 4 miles away from the court, we got off to a steady start in the first quarter. Second quarter things started to pick up a bit and we were defending strong and carrying the ball well with Ellie  and Jo  having some great takes on the circle edge, Toni worked the circle well and her and Beth's shooting was spot on.
Laura and Emily H were strong in defence and supported the attack really well. We decided to break the mould of having a shocking q3 and really got into the swing of things and we were in such a good mood about it we decided that we need some sort of social to celebrate at a later date. Big well done to izzy and Emily in circle defence for handling a GA who was a bit on the tall side (special mention to izzy for overcoming all traumatic Ethiopia experiences to be on peak form) and overall a smashing performance from everybody to take a 41-6 win and make a strong start to the season.

QE Rugby vs Barnard Castle B

A big crowd turned out to watch our game against Barnard Castle, and neither side disappointed.  Barnard Castle started with hard hitting backs play from the kickoff pushing us back with a stint of quick offloads.

QE soon came back however with expansive play out to the wing building pressure in Barnard's  22  where we were camped for some time.

Then after a quick succession of penalties Jamie Richardson score between posts, with Ollie Cooper converted. 

Soon after this the Barnard Castle 10 was yellow carded just before half time.

Ht QE 7    BC 0

With the kick off Barnard Castle came back with more offload play and caused numerous penalties for QE until we regained possession off a scrum. From the play that that followed Joss Mercer came out with a huge run down the majority of the pitch which lead to Jamie's second try - not converted.

However Barnard Castle soon retaliated with an unconverted try of their own.

Barnard Castle kept this up with another unconverted try.

This didn't deter us though as determination lead to Joss surging through the line to score the third which was converted.

In the last minute the BC 12 broke through a couple of tackles to score an unconverted try at the side of the pitch.

Ft QE 19 BC 10 or 15 

It was a very hard, fast and well played game with a very good result for us showing the rest of league what we can really do. Well done lads.

QE A Team Football match report v Hartlepool Sixth Form

The day started with everyone in the team very downhearted mood as a result of manager Mark Scott taking money off us (minors). So after scotty giving it the 'big un' in the away day quiz I was honoured to be allowed the privilege of coach DJ; playing suitable tunes to get the boys prepared.

Its safe to say the pitch at hartlepool wasn't the most baller-friendly being an little kids pitch, which suited the likes of niall and josh but restricted the play of us normal sized adolescents. The game started how it carried on; a battle with occasional flashes of good play from us. Marshy issued several rousing, tailormade, individual speeches throughout the game to our players. However, this seemed to adversely affect paul new as he spent the open exchanges chasing his first touch as opposed to his usual shoulder barging every moving object. This allowed Ready to step up to the plate and he displayed some class full back play driving us forward. Tbf to the lad he may be the sleaziest, cringiest man in QE but he is ok at football. Something that wasn't ok were his 'pants'  which defo need at least 2 pairs of socks stuffed down there to be anywhere close to acceptable. Our first and only goal was scored by the baldest person with long hair ever to grace a football pitch. Dylan chased down a loose pass before firing a shot via his sneid right boot. 8/10 finish. 

They then equalised from a defensive mishap involving the skipper and niall, to be fair to niall he was in the process of by what can only be described as 'deathgripped'. This was pretty much the last event of note to occur in the 1st half. The ref blew the half-time whistle and the ever-inspirational Mark got the lads in and rallied his troops; with an overall theme of just keep going. The second half began and we pushed on well and I think we created the better chances out of the two sides with bushy and josh clarke coming close. However, despite our spells of pressure and good play hartlepool scored against the run of play.

Desperate times called for desperate measures and I was flung up front but even with my physical presence up top ("great feet for a big man") we couldnt get that elusive equaliser. Then then scored another spawny goal and that was the game done, but we still battled away admirably. In conclusion, this wasnt a game we deserved to lose at all, we maybe lacked a cutting edge at times and we are bit naive in defence but thats being mega critical. Fortunately this was a cup game and there is defo 6 points to be taking from those in the league!! #QESteamroller had a day off but were are still proper class and that so its sound......



(sorry for lateness of this btw; Im a busy lad)

QE C team v Bishop Auckland

Well as today was a friendly the report won't be as detailed as a regular game, sorry lads just I want a quick nap before work so you's can let me off for a week. Before the game we weren't really sure of who we were playing, we all knew it was Bishop college yet various reports of their team left us a bit puzzled. The team today was shaken up a bit by Gary to give the lads who hadn't played as much a chance to stake their claim, starting 11 of Ben, Tunner, Connor, Sam, Bravey, Roe, Neish, Owen, Ab, Tom and Dan. That left me, Westy, Wayne and Hal on the subs bench all waiting for our chance. The game had a slightly sluggish start, and it was clear that the reports of these being a poor side were true as they really didn't seem up to much. However they did manage to take the lead, through a decent move where the ball was pulled back to their big centre forward who cooly slotted away. We were struggling to really get a hold of the game, Callum Roe was suffering from illness so had to be replaced mid first half by Westy, yet still we were struggling to fashion any real openings. Not long before the break the ball was played over our defence to that annoyingly fast striker who sweeped the ball underneath our keeper and made it 2-0. It hadn't been the best of first halves for us yet it was obvious that we could still get into the game as they really weren't a good side. Half time came and on came myself, Hal and Wayne for Dan, Ab and Owen. After a few stern words off Gary we approached the second half in the mood to get this game back. Our mindset was clear as we really pressured them high up and forced them to make mistakes, after a lovely interchange with Hal, Wayne went round the keeper and got fouled, he tried to get his shot away still but the touch had knocked him off balance and the referee pointed to the spot. I stepped up and put the penalty in the corner and made it 2-1, game on. Literally about 2 minutes after getting back into the game we shot ourselves in the foot, however I was taking my thermal off so I never saw the goal, all I know is that it was the number 8 who I was supposed to be marking so I will hold my hands up to that, sorry lads, 3-1. This would often kill a team off but it actually encouraged us to go on again, I've had a complete mind block and have no idea who scored the second goal, I have a feeling it may have been Wayne but I really don't know. Anyone care to inform me? Anyway, apart from the same ball to that player on the left which Tunner dealt with well often, they had no further threat. Then as we broke away again, their defender stupidly pulled down either Wayne or Westy as the ball was going out of play and gave Connor no choice but to point to the spot. They say that a second penalty in a match is hard to score, not when your name is Jamie Herd it isn't. Swapped sides from previous penalty and even though the keeper got a touch, the pure velocity of the strike got it in, 3-3. There was only one team going to win it after that, we pushed on but never created any genuine openings, I wasted our best chance by striking wide with my left foot which is no real surprise. Once again we broke through their shaky defence with Abel who saw his good strike saved well, only for it to fall to our Asian wonder kid Ab, who cooly nodded home to put us ahead for the first time, 4-3. They pressed on slightly and moaned a lot to the ref, but created nothing of any real sort. After a poor clearance from their defence Westy played Hal through, the ball looked a lost cause yet Hal managed to cap a brilliant performance with a excellent finish to find the far corner. Even with the goal Westy was still furious with his pass, yet it was actually on a plate for Hal, suppose it shows the quality he expects from himself and rightly so. The game fizzled out with no real great chances for either side and we won 5-3, coming from 2-0 and then 3-1 down which shows a decent grit and kept our good streak going. 

MOTM; Whilst only playing the second half his physical presence up top was something we had missed, held the ball up very well, got himself involved in a little handbags moment, then capped it all of with a goal, Hal Denny. 

Cock up of the week; Has to go to our centre half, who thought he was Neymar with his new boots, shocking purchase, specially for our so called hard defender, good job you had a solid performance. This week is Sam Henderson if you hadn't guessed already. 

No game next week but as Gary said we play Northumbria away in 2 weeks so make sure you sort lifts out for after that match as we need a big squad, don't want people dropping out of away games as it would be a let down. Well played lads. 

QE B Football VS Tyne Met

Sorry for the late match report lads, I was taking full advantage of my orange Wednesdays 241 by seeing the late viewing of Bad Grandpa, a decent watch for anyone who wants to see it, anyway.

The weather over the days before our scheduled Wednesday afternoon fixture made the likeliness of the game to go ahead a little in doubt, but with the great work of the groundsman and a little help from the sunshine got the game on, even though the pitch wasn't perfect it was still a job well done following the torrential downpour of the annual monsoons that take place up north.

Our official for today's game was again Connor Smith and when they finally arrived we got the game under way!

After last week getting beaten when we didn't deserve too, I think the lads wanted to win even more and that was shown in our opening inter changes, great play and strong tackles, we were getting the ball down well and looking to create some openings,  the ball was very much in their half more of the time, with me and Nathan playing centre mid we were trying to use Kane's pace and Christians technical ability to try and create chances for Lewis and Fenny, Lewis was doing a brilliant job dropping off and getting involved, they tried to threaten but our new look defence of Hamish, Ross, Jake and Ian looked ever so strong and they couldn't really close us down even though their striker looked like he could bench both Ross and Jake. Our first goal was a gift really if i'm honest, but not to take anything away from Fenny his gambling and persistence paid off as the keeper came extremely far our to clear the ball and missed and Fenny ran on to slot in to an empty net, 1-0.

The rest of the half went on and we continued to push Kane having an effort go just wide, and also their defender nearly putting a cross in to the top corner, we threatened from corners, more or less everyone winning personal battles. We went in to the break 1-0 up with a brilliant first half performance from the lads.

Dave then congratulated us on our first half performance and then got us back out there, we then became a little sloppy as they pushed for an equaliser, and both teams seemed to have shared possesion of the ball, but our defence stayed strong and Ben in goal was commanding his box very well, and pulled out some vital saves that kept us in front.

The changing point came when Fenny went through and went to take it round the keeper and the keeper clattered him, as the last man, in the rule book he had to go, and Connor brandished the red card, Tyne Met were down to 10 men.

On came probably their smallest player on the pitch, and my resulting free kick from that foul was something we won't go in to, very very poor.

They seemed to be more fired up after a man got sent off and they pushed and we didn't take advantage of the extra man. Dave made some subs and on came, Doug, Joe and Davo, and they instantly got in to the game playing well, good interchanges and looked lively, Doug battling well in the centre, and excellent performance from the Gazelle.  We could have been 3-0 up as Bourney, Lewis and Joe all squandered brilliant chances to increase our gap in front but none were converted.

Our second goal came when some great strength from Davo as he laid it back and I heard a huge call of "Man on!" and a lad came clattering me from the side and gave away a free kick just on the edge of the box.

Now, I stepped up again, and after my first free kick I felt a bit nervous and the fact that the wall seemed to be stood on the touchline and the keeper on his opposite post it made such a gap I couldn't really miss, now I was nervous! So I steadied my self, stepped up and whipped it in to the top corner, it was a great finish if I do say so myself, and it was just when we needed it, a boost, there's my 3rd goal of the season or 2nd if people want to be all serious and not count my one against Gateshead.

They managed to get one back resulting from a free kick but it was a foul on Ben as he went to punch away and got barged in to goal and he some how get it in the back of the net.

But then we pushed for a 3rd and when Doug chased a ball down the keeper some how missed it and Doug chased it down well and put a fast ball across the box and at the back post Davo smashed it in to the top of the net, 3-1 and with 2 minutes left to play, we were comfortable.

Connor brought the game to a close, our first win in new colours and as a new formed B team, great performance from the lads carrying on the great team spirit and play from last week.

Man of the match has to be Chrisitan he was working none stop, he was putting in tackles in, using his strength, pulling out tricks, confident on the ball making runs, a quality performance.

Great performance from all the first years in fact, Hamish and Ian played very well as per, getting stuck in and very much involved in attacking play, trying to create things.

Fenny and Lewis working well upfront to create things putting them selves about.

And when Joe, Doug, Davo and Fully came on they worked incredibly hard to keep our lead intact.

Fully I think was this weeks yellow card winner, as his rather late challenge earned himself a booking.

Squad :

B.Edkins
H.Cambell

J.McAleer 

R. Mcguigan

I.Atherton 

K.Bourne (C)
A. Brown

N.Hurley

C. Aither (MOM)
L.Malcom

J.Fenny

Subs:

D.Birks

A.Davidson
J.Fullerton
Joe

QE C Team v Middlesbrough College

And we just keep marching ON ON ON! Cringey way to start the report, but don't think I was the only one buzzing after the win, or maybe I was! On the way there the bus seemed a bit quiet, maybes missing the so bad it's good banter that Owen provides, the journey mainly consisted of Ab buzzing about nights out, in particular the event at The Northern Echo Arena, not sure on the definite event name as it was changed for legal reasons, nevertheless the driver managed to get us there safely and soundly. Arrived at the fairly smart sports complex and were directed to our changing room, Gary named the starting 11 with Ben coming in for Tunner and Sam for the ill Callum Roe. After a solid 2 minute warm up the referee called for the game to begin and we were underway. We didn't exactly come firing out the blocks, yet they posed no real threat with Marvin Emnes up top looking like the only threat they had. Abel and Wayne were once again winning everything in the middle, Westy was running himself into the ground as normal and defence were solid. Our width was coming in very useful and we managed to get some joy from both wingers, one occasion Westy pulled the ball back to me and a shot destined for the top corner was kept out expertly by the opposition goalkeeper. Eventually after many chances Hal did excellent to beat a couple of men and get to the byline, before he cut the ball across and Westy was there to tap in, however the keeper saved it and it rebounded of Robs shin and went in, scruffy but didn't matter, 1-0. We went again and we were passing the ball very decently, ball retention was top notch except a couple of final balls letting us down. After having a goal ruled out for offside, I found myself on the end of an exquisite ball through from Sam Burchett to slot into the bottom corner and make it 2-0, we were cruising. Wayne, clearly playing for the camera, tried a rasping 30 yard effort with his weaker foot, which just evaded the bar. We were really asserting ourselves on the game, and playing with great confidence. Ref blew the whistle and in we went to Gary, 2-0 up and comfortable. Pleased with our performance, Gary gave us a few little bits of advice but merely it was just keep going as your going. I was guilty of the old kiss of death by saying we could get 5 or 6 goals, clearly slightly too confident. Middlesbrough made a few changes, and strangely enough it was the blond Augustus Gloop who seemed to be difference in their team second half. Hal soon felt the affect of him with a tackle which forced him to fall on top of poor Hal, painful to say the least. 10 minutes in the second half and we were under the kosh, the wind making it difficult to play. Gary opted to use his versatile captain to adopt a Cheik Tiote role and break up what they had to offer, which was message understood and received on my behalf. Once again we were on the wrong end of a poor refereeing decision to award them a penalty, in all fairness I was stood pretty close to the ref and the angle did look like handball, however Connors subsequent ball mark showed otherwise. It was hard to blame the ref and the penalty was tucked away, 2-1, game on. It was now going to be backs to the wall, and try and catch them on the break. Strangely, they never actually threatened Jake properly once after the goal, which was all good for us. After we recomposed after the goal we started knocking the ball about quite smoothly again, with our midfield 3 working well and communicating all the time. We had chances to kill the game off, I had 25 yard strike,  which was probably the best I have ever struck a ball, which went agonisingly close but went just over. Their keeper had to pick a couple loose shots and Hal had an opportunity to play the ball in, but like every great striker was selfish and went for goal, no harm in that at all by the way, unfortunately went just wide. You may think I'm missing our best chance to wrap it up if you were, but we will get to that. Without any genuine chances for them the game ended 2-1 and we had won again, we showed quality in the first half and resilience in the second to get the win, slightly like Newcastles performance against Cardiff earlier this season. The banter on the way home improved, with everyone appreciating the efforts of Ab, and Ben repeating a shocking video much to Tunners pleasure. 

Man of the Match;

Goughy got it today for another quality performance. For a smoker the lad doesn't half love grafting in the game! His game typically improved once he had stopped being recorded yet I'm sure he'll find evidence he's happy with as he was class all game. To be honest a lot of players could of been given MOTM today, Gary was the one who chose Wayne out and not many could disagree. 

Cock up of the Week; 

As previously mentioned, we had one golden chance to finish the game off. If I remember correctly Wayne ran down to the byeline, crossed the ball in and it bounced about all over, it fell to Dan who from a good ruler length out put the ball over the bar! It happens to the best of us, it seemed to just hit him to be fair, yet there was no escaping getting C.U.O.T.W for it! Luckily we managed to hold out to spare the poor lads blushes, but it wasn't forgotten! 

Obviously no game next week, no scheduled game week we come back so I will let everyone know on what the crack is when we get back. Have a canny week off lads and see you all when we get back, providing I'm not arrested on Sunday at the derby! Well played again lads, let's keep the run going. 

Qe A team v East Durham College (Away)

I would like to start the match report with a quote from right back Sam Read. 'As the old saying goes you haven't been tested till you have played East Durham College away on a cold Wednesday afternoon.' This test was made even more difficult when the team bus didn't turn up which manager Mark Scott blamed on everyone else but himself. The bus eventually turned up and I was in charge of the music. Playing country and western songs from Scotty Mccreery's latest album which the crowd took to warmly except first year raver Nathan Wright.

The pitch was in good condition matching that of Wembley Stadium or Seaham Red Stars ground. However the game didn't start as planned for QE as the home team ran through the non existent midfield three who had parted like the Red Sea, the move was completed by an accomplished finish by the East Durham forward. However it wasn't long before Josh Clark in his words 'calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner with his supposedly weaker right foot.' QE were then behind again when goalkeeper Thompson attempted a James Dowson switch which was cut out by the East Durham attacker. Although 2-1 down QE continued to play the 'tiki taka' style. This was rewarded when striker James Beauchamp, who couldn't hit a barn door last week 'picked the ball up outside the box and shifted it onto his favoured right foot before rifling it into top corner.' Beauchamp got his second of the afternoon volleying into the bottom right hand corner from the edge of the box. The fourth and final goal of the afternoon was assisted by Beauchamp who had a good week on the player performance index, Alex Grocott finished with a well struck left foot volley. 4-2 the final score.

Starting Wednesday match reports will be completed by veteran Harry Spence so expect an increase in banter and detail.

James Marshall (Captain)