Hockey Men still challenge

DESPITE THEIR INABILITY to convert a 3-0 lead into 3 points at Maiden Castle in Sunday’s crucial BUCS Northern Premiership fixture, Durham Men’s First team still sit in second place in the league.

The Palatinates began their post Christmas campaign successfully at Nottingham Trent despite being second best for the first quarter.

Trent dominated possession and only an in spired Jamie Cachia double save ensured that the visitors were still in the game and able to equalize twice through Jonathan Wilkes-Green who finished off solo runs from David Hall and Joe Francis.

As the half progressed the Durham midfield began to enjoy more of the ball and with Wilkes-Green completing a first half hat-trick with a fine solo effort to make it 3-3.

A change of style from the coach paid dividends in the second half as Andrew Baggs took one of several chances that were created by the Palatinates on the break as a fine defensive effort ensured victory.

Unlike Friday’s fixture, the game against Birmingham started slowly, with neither side able to sustain pressure or create any clear goal scoring chances. Three goals in ten minutes at the start of the second half for Durham however saw them appear to have secured the three points.

David Hall fed Jonathan Wilkes-Green to score the opener before Wilkes-Green won the ball from a Birmingham Centre-Back and with a mis-hit shot doubled the Palatinates lead.

Chris Borrett shortly after then gave Durham a 3-0 lead with a low drag flick before the visitors came back into the game through a sensational top corner effort of their own.    The Palatinates gradually dropped deeper and deeper and following a scrappy second goal, Birmingham equalised with a firmly struck reverse stick shot to complete the comeback.