‘Football’s a game of two halves’ the old saying goes, and this was certainly the case when Ferryhill Athletic took a quick trip up the A1 to the Riverside where they took on Chester-le-Street Park View on a drizzly afternoon, reports Chris Orton.
Fortunately, the game took place on a 3G pitch, so there was no danger of cancellation.
Athletic had a severely depleted squad so went with the strongest line-up available.
The youthful Chester-le-Street team started brightly, dominating the early play with their pacy midfield.
It was evident that they were well coached, but despite this they were unable to make a breakthrough, with Athletic keeper Harvey Gunn making a series of terrific saves to keep them out.
If it hadn’t been for Gunn, Ferryhill could well have found themselves behind, as the home team looked far more likely to score.
As the rain continued to fall and the clock ticked down towards half-time, Ferryhill lost defender Kieron Gillham to injury and Chester-le-Street had a goal disallowed for offside, the half finishing goalless.
Whatever Ferryhill had in their half-time drinks certainly did the trick as they came out for the second half looking like an entirely different team.
The formation was tweaked to 4-4-2 and they dominated from the off.
Before long, Kieran Richardson put the visitors ahead with a great strike, and substitute Chris Devine was next unlucky when his shot went wide.
Matthew Agar doubled the lead with a neat header, and Callum Watkinson also went close to scoring.
Richardson quickly doubled his tally, before claiming the match ball with his third shortly after.
By now the home team appeared to be running out of steam and Ferryhill’s experience showed.
Richardson topped off a superb performance with his fourth goal of the day. Adam Morland battled well throughout, scoring a well-deserved sixth.
Next up in the league is an away game against West Auckland Reserves this midweek on 7 March, followed by the Clem Smith Bowl semi-final, which, weather-permitting, will take place at Dean Bank on Saturday 9 March against Consett AFC Reserves.
It’d be great if you could come along to support the lads.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
