Durham WFC DEV v Sunderland LFC DEV Today Durham welcomed close neighbours Sunderland for their eagerly anticipated derby game in the WSL development league. Sunderland were quickly into the game and started the brighter, being allowed to play it out from the back and get into the swing of the game with Durham struggling to get any real cohesion or any kind of sustained attacking threat. Sunderland scored twice from 2 speculative long range shots and there wa...

Tonight we had to drag those weary limbs back onto the pitch for one last push to try and get to the final, however the Americans from Dakota were just as determined to get there themselves. A typical American team, in that they were well organised, well drilled and athletic. A very tight game in which one goal was always going to be decisive, and it came near the end of the first half after we lost possession in a silly area and they went through to score. We ...

Quarter final day today v Team Noga (USA) who I think hadn't conceded a goal yet in the competition so we knew it was gonna be tough. In front of a huge crowd we kicked off into the wind and soon got into our stride attacking the yanks goal with only the occasional hoof over the top to worry about. However we kept missing chances so the half ended 0-0. Cestria 0-0 Team Noga (USA) The girls didn't panic though and kept playing their football, and sure enough th...

Ok. Today saw us in knockout Thursday yet again which is an endurance test that we've had invaluable experience in, the last 2 years. The 3 other English teams found that out to their cost today which is why more English teams, ESPECIALLY centres of excellence, should be here in force every year in my opinion. Anyway I'm going to be quick with match reports as I am knackered physically and mentally tbh. Cestria 2:0 Kungsbacka DFF (last 32) Typically Swedish,...

Cestria v Uppakra IF (SWE) The 2 unbeaten teams met today to decide who would progress as group winners. In absolutely sweltering heat the girls kicked off. We soon discovered we were playing a typically Scandinavian team who were more interested in trying to stifle us rather than win the game themselves. It turned into a game of defence v attack and we went close on numerous occasions with either the woodwork or the impressive gk coming to the Swedes rescue. T...