The first match weekend of the season is over! Personally, I am planning to visit at least one match from every Ustinov team this year. I started by attending the very first Ustinov match of the year, so you will see a few photos from the men’s basketball match in this blog post. If you visit any Ustinov matches and take photos there, please don’t hesitate to submit them! More information at the end of this post.
Let’s take a look at the weekend’s results!
Well done everyone, particularly our basketball men and hockey women!
For a better insight, read what the men’s football vice captain Menno de Jong reports about their match:
Ustinov Football Men’s A team gives away lead in dying seconds
The Ustinov Men’s Football A team was very close to securing the first three points of the season in their opening game against Trev’s A. Five minutes before the final whistle Ustinov was leading 2-1, but two late goals in the dying seconds denied Ustinov what would have been a somewhat fortunate victory.
With Ustinov down 0-1 at half time, they turned the game around half way through the second half thanks to midfielder Pete Quinn who scored two screamers in quick succession. A first touch shot from 30 yards out, following a loose ball, had taken the goalie by surprise. Several minutes later Pete again managed to lob the ball over the goalkeeper from outside to box to complete his brace.
In honesty, both goals came out of the blue. And although it is probably fair to say that Trev’s didn’t create many chances either, they had been dominating the game. With the match drawing to a close and the team still leading 2-1, Ustinov could nevertheless start to hope for the first win of the season.
However, five minutes before the end of the game a cross was converted into a goal, and with Trev’s getting more and more confident, it was evident that some anxious moments were still ahead. During a scrimmage following a corner Ustinov unfortunately didn’t manage to clear the ball, which was subsequently booted in from a few yards out, leaving Trev’s victorious and Ustinov empty handed.
Sounds like a nailbiting match! If you know someone on the football team, give them a hug today and tell them that they fought well.
Win or loss, we’re very proud of all Ustinov teams who represented our college this weekend! And good luck to our nine teams playing in the upcoming week:
Pool matches take place at the colleges of the home team, as listed. Most other matches are carried out at Maiden Castle. Find out how to reach Maiden Castle and the precise locations of pitches here: https://ustinovgcr.com/sports-facilities/#mc. Interested in watching Ultimate Frisbee? HERE are instructions on how to reach Whinney Hill!
Disclaimer: If you plan to visit a match, it is always a good idea to double-check the fixture on the Team Durham website: https://www.teamdurham.com/collegesport/sport/. Matches can occasionally be rescheduled, though usually no more than 48 hours before they are supposed to start.
If you have taken pictures at any Ustinov matches, please don’t hesitate to email them to cs.ustinovgcr(at)durham.ac.uk for a chance to be featured in these weekly updates!
~ Vera, Clubs & Socs Officer
GRADUATE COMMON ROOM 