Duddon needed a good stern test against older opposition and this match provided just that. A good start to the game for the younger Duddon U-14 team with Thommo having the first shot of the game, unfortunately still rising as it soared over the roof of a nearby house. Woody made a massive clearance which Sloanie latched on to and delivered a delicious pass sending Watters in on goal but the Holker keeper was alert and saved at Watters feet only to see the ball break to Dec who slotted home for 1-0. Holker attacked down their right and a cross was met by their unmarked attacker and his free header found the back of the net for the equaliser. Duddon were awarded a free kick for a foul on Watters and up stepped Andy to fire the ball, but straight at the keeper but the shot was too strong for him to hang on to and as the ball came out, Dec had followed the shot in and tapped in to restore Duddons lead at 2-1. The Holker keeper produced a huge kick which caught out the Duddon defence and as the Holker attacker strived to get the ball, Neil and Woody collided, leaving the Duddon keeper in agony on the floor after hurting his back and leg but after receiving treatment for several minutes was able to carry on. The half time whistle blew with Duddon U14 leading Holker U15, 2-1.
Holker almost equalised straight from the second half kick off as they simply walked the ball right through the Duddon defence but the shot was parried away, first by Woody, but as the ball came back, Matty scrambled the ball away to safety. A great run from the Holker left winger, saw him ghost past the Duddon defence and as he reached the box, shot into the far corner for the equaliser, 2-2. Holker were now on top and a ball into the Duddon box was only half cleared and as it fell to a Holker player, his shot found the far corner to put Holker 3-2 up. Duddon were not to be denied though and a great battle in midfield by Dec saw the ball bounce up to Andy, who from 30yds, volleyed a rocket shot into the back of the net to pull Duddon level at 3-3. Another great move by Duddon almost produced a goal as Sloanie fed in Watters who found Dec in the middle of the box and his instant shot almost squirmed under the Holker keeper but he managed to retrieve the ball. A tremendous tackle by Matty in midfield saw the ball ricochet into the path of Dec who found himself one on one with the Holker keeper who made the first move to dive at the feet of Dec, but Dec rounded him and slotted home for his hat-trick and a 4-3 lead for Duddon. Holker went all out for the equaliser and as the ball was cleared from the Holker defence, Woody came out to meet it but was beaten to it by the Holker attacker who chipped it over Woody, only to see it drop inches wide of the post. Another attack, this time the ball was pumped into the Duddon box and broke to Holker but his instant shot was instinctly saved by Woody and Matty cleared off the line.
The final whistle blew and a great victory for Duddon. They were given a tough, much needed test by the Holker side and Duddon now know what they will be up against next season as they enter the U-16 league.