After a tough three weeks of games against very good opposition, and a depleted squad through injury and suspension, Thornes Juniors were finally able to put out a full, un-suspended, uninjured 15 for the trip to Durkar.

The early stages of the game highlighted the effect this had on tbe squad as a whole when they fell behind to 2 sloppy mistakes, one in open play and one a goalkeeper eror.

The introduction of Joe Craig had the effect of beefing up the middle of the field and it wasnt long before he crashed through the home rearguard and beat the keeper to open the account.

A second followed when Alex Bailey Lee back-heeled the ball through the legs of the home keeper to level the scores. Will Hughes, back from suspension then scored a third before he netted again in the second half to make it 4-2.

Durkar battled to the end and scored again to leave the score at 4-3.

Despite 11 minutes of extra time, Thornes held on to the lead, and as the moon began to set over Newmillerdam, and the cows had all been stabled, the referee finally blew the whistle to end the game. !!

Newstrack Newsagents man of the match went to Joe Craig, closely followed by Callum Harnell and Alex Bailley-Lee.