M1
Newcastle Uni v Doncaster M1 v Leeds 1
2 : 5
The last game of what felt like a very long season was upon us as we made our way up the A1 to Newcastle University. Rather alarmingly, NUMHC personnel didn’t realise we were coming up for the game - or at least, that was the excuse for the lack of pre-game refreshments anyway.
With 8 regular M1XI players unable to make the journey north, there were chances for a few
players to make the step up from the Tricky 2’s, including debuts for Arthur, Jack & George
Henshaw, as well as a welcome back to Tom Bradley in between the sticks. I’m pretty sure that this was a Doncaster first for two brothers to make their National League debut on the same day. Plenty of brothers have player in the same National League team, but never debuted on the same day I don’t think….if they have, I’m sure I’ll be corrected by Stoves Snr.
With absolutely no pressure on the game for league position, the lads could take two options: phone the performance in and wait for the final whistle, or put in a shift that we, and our amazing travelling support, could all be proud of. I’m pleased to share that the lads chose the latter.
A double from Cresswell and supporting goals from yours truly, Ewan Whittaker and a debut goal for G Henshaw proved too much for the hosts. It wasn’t just the goal scorers that commanded the headlines though - every single player, to a man, was brilliant. Players playing out of position, new combinations, new relationships - none of that mattered as the lads put in one of the performances of the season: and handsome 5-2 win on the road.
It’s been a season of ups and downs, but the good has outweighed the bad and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together. One of our supporters said “thanks for another entertaining season” when leaving yesterday. We don’t win every week because we’re not machines. But we are entertaining. Never boring. I’ll take that!

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