The one that got away

It was only fitting that our game was played under the lights at Maiden Castle during Durham's Lumiere weekend in this first of back-to-back games against Durham Uni 4s.

We got off to a flier winning a short within first 90 seconds. Although the shot was dragged wide it was good to get an early sight of goal. In the blink of an eye it was Durham's turn at the other end. With some rotation of personnel in the back four, Maggie was quick to get everyone organised.

The next 15 minutes were as fast paced as the first 5. With plenty of rotation in the front line Anna, Tiny, Chell and Lottie applied pressure high up the pitch, not allowing the Durham defence to get comfortable on the ball. This was backed up by the energy of Chloe and Isla in the midfield who pestered and provoked anyone in a purple shirt who managed to break through the line.

Fully settled into their structure at the back, Tara, Zoe, Rachel and Alice brought everything they'd practiced on the training pitch on Tuesday, moving the ball with ease to switch the focus of play from left to right, and back.

Durham had the last chance of the first half with two shorts in quick succession. Maggie made the save and the immediate danger was extinguished as Alice cleared the ball from her pads. However, the ball came back into the D and was turned into the goal by a Durham stick and we went into the break one down.

The second half started exactly like the first with us winning a short corner within the first two minutes. Becca’s first shot was blocked and her follow up bounced back into play off post. Surely the equaliser wasn't far away...

The energy that had been focused and intense in the first half turned into an uncontrolled frenzy in the second. During this period we endured a couple of scary moments in our D when it looked like Durham would be more likely to score the next goal.

We eventually regained our composure and began to build in confidence through good overlapping play up the right wing with Emily and Alice, supported from the midfield by Nikki and Pippa.

And eventually, it was Pippa who forced a mistake from the Durham defence leading to another short in our favour. A slip to the left and the strike was deflected by Becca on the p-spot, sending the ball past the keeper for the equaliser.

Now back on level pegging we had a sustained period of pressure as we went in search of lead. We were driven forward by Chell who, in the blink of an eye, went from clearing the ball from deep in our 23 to winning a short up the other end. Another short came quickly after as Emily engaged the jet packs to beat her defender and force her way through into the D. Despite the opportunities we created, the final touch was eluding us.

Durham of course were equally keen to find the winner, mounting a strong attack down the right wing. When the ball went out of play there was some confusion over who had the last touch and during this lapse in concentration a Durham player squeaked the ball in at left post.

With three minutes to play Durham piled on the pressure, not allowing us an easy escape from our 23. And so it was to be that time ran away with us. We left the pitch frustrated and fuming, with plenty of fuel for the fire for the return match next week.

Player of the match: Emily