Friday night saw Ferryhill travel to Gateshead to face Leam Rangers Reserves, reports Chris Orton.
In the two league fixtures against them last season, Ferryhill scored a total of 21 goals, but this game was a very different affair, with a much more competitive edge to it.
Athletic visited Tyneside with a good squad for a night game, and a band of loyal followers also made their way up the A1 to support the lads. The opposition looked young, fit and determined and gave as good as they got and Athletic needed to dig deep to earn the result.
The match was quite even in the early stages, but the deadlock was broken by striker Adam Morland who unleashed a belter of a shot after 20 minutes which flew past McNally in the home goal. Morland was in fine form throughout, going in for every ball and leaving defenders behind with his pace.
Athletic dictated the play for long spells, but Leam Rangers had their own good periods in the game and looked a totally different side from last year.
Morland forced another save from the keeper, which was soon followed by a header from Alex Quinn that went over the bar. However, Morland’s determination paid off when he got his second with two minutes of the half remaining.
Kicking uphill for the second half, Ferryhill went on the attack from the off, but it was Leam Rangers who took the initiative when they got a goal back from Tee Moholo following a well-worked move that split the Athletic defence.
The game continued at a fast pace, at times getting quite physical, and the away side got their third goal through the returning Reece Wilkinson who unleashed a shot that left the home keeper floundering.
Athletic gained another advantage when Leam had a man sent off for foul play with a quarter of an hour to go. Both teams continued to battle right up until the final whistle in what was a far better game than the equivalent last season.
Ferryhill made good use of their squad, introducing Chris Devine, Reece Wilkinson, Niall Seymour, Matty Ashcroft-Brown and Matthew Agar from the bench to inject a fresh lease of life to the side. Throughout the game Ellis Hare and Zak Lauder in particular both fought to win every ball that came near them.
With the last gasp of the game, Kieron Richardson forced a terrific save from the home keeper. Richardson also collected the Man of the Match award yet again, whilst the win ensures that Athletic remain top of the table.
Ferryhill are back in action next Saturday when they welcome Darlington RA Under 23 to Dean Bank in the first round of the Clem Smith Bowl. Kick-off is at 2pm.
Chris Orton
Writing regular Ferryhill Athletic match reports.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
