Wolvo knew they were in for a tough game against high flying Durham City and they started on the front foot and after only 2 mins a quick counter attack saw Blair in the middle of the park feed Roberts who had a cross shot poked away for a corner. On 8 a quick Wolvo throw to Blair saw him drive forward and laid a great pass to Roberts but he could only side-foot into the hands of keeper Hebden. The game ebbed and flowed with Thornton and Cottrell marshalling their attackers, on 25 minutes both Blair and Roberts worked together against Jatta and Roberts this time robbed him and passed to Blair who’s rasping drive was parried away by keeper Hebden.

Against the run of play on 34 minutes some poor play by Wolvo saw the ball turned over and old boy Junior Masandi shooting under keeper Carey for 0-1. Not deterred Wolvo tried to be positive and on 39 Roberts took a long throw on his chest to swivel and shoot wide. 2 minutes later winger Mavi got in a good position cutting inside and feeding Lewis Snaith who had a chance but his shot was blocked. On the stroke of halftime a long ball by Cottrell down the flank found Blair who cut the ball back to Roberts who some how didn’t score and the ball ended back at the feet of Blair with little on he smashed the ball hard and low from the by-line and in the melee that followed Roberts got a touch to make it 1-1 or was it an own goal by old boy Jatta ?

Half Time 1-1

The second half saw Durham play with more control with Wolvo huffing and puffing, this could have changed on 57 minutes when a ball played through to Blair saw him one on one against old boy Hebden who saved his shot and the resultant rebound from Mavi ending with a corner. A few minutes later Carey in the Wolvo goal made a great save. This spurred on Wolvo with sub Rhodes playing a great long diagonal to Roberts who again shot and pushed over the bar by Hebden, 4 minutes later Robbie had another chance but his shot went high over the bar. Wolvo again had a chance on 75 with Blair dribbling past a couple of defenders with his shot pushed wide for another corner.

The last 15 minutes saw the defence stand strong clearing when they needed to with Thornton leading the way with some gritty tackling.

The final whistle blew to take the game into penalties and unfortunately it wasn’t to be with Durham winning 3-2.

Man of the match was Thornton for his tireless defending.