Ferryhill Athletic got back to winning ways at the weekend after the draw in midweek, with a resounding 6-3 win over New Durham AFC at Dean Bank, reports Chris Orton.
Despite having a severely depleted squad, Athletic quickly took control of the game with Billy Snaith being drafted into defence and giving a commanding performance.
The first goal came after only nine minutes when Kieron Richardson tucked the ball away following a corner.
New Durham came close to scoring after a defensive lapse from Ferryhill, but Athletic maintained their composure.
Alex Quinn came close, but the next goal came from a penalty when Adam Morland was brought down in the box.
Morland coolly converted the spot-kick, before Quinn again went close.
Chris Dodds made it 3-0 on the half hour, Morland got his second shortly after with a neat tap-in and Dodds doubled his tally with a shot from a wide position.
The second half was a different proposition with New Durham looking a much tougher opponent.
Ferryhill came under more pressure, with Harvey Gunn making a couple of good saves.
Durham struck back to make it 5-1, before getting their second direct from a free kick.
Ferryhill had what looked like a perfectly good goal from Snaith disallowed when the ref said the ball had gone out, despite it having clearly hit the cross bar.
Ferryhill’s defending at this stage became lax, but Alex Quinn got number six with a decisive strike past the opposition keeper. Chris Devine was a constant threat throughout the game with his pace, and was unfairly called offside when he was clear on goal.
New Durham battled well, but were ultimately unable to overturn Ferryhill’s first half lead.
The club currently sit fifth in the table, having played three games less than the two sides immediately above them.
However, while the race for third place remains a realistic prospect. They are 13 points behind runaway leaders, Hetton Juniors and eight behind second place West Auckland Reserves, who have played a game less.
Athletic’s next game is at Dean Bank against Birtley Town Development on 23 March, with kick-off at 2.30pm.
Meanwhile, the club must wait until 6 April before finding out which of Belmont United or Durham City AFC will be their opponents in the Clem Smith Bowl final, the same day on which they face Hetton Juniors in the Washington Aged Peoples Trophy Semi-Final.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
