Metcalfe Park is always one of the nicest grounds to visit in the Wearside League, and was the venue for an early top of the table clash when Ferryhill Athletic visited Wolviston on Saturday, writes Chris Orton.
Athletic were down on numbers against the leaders, but both teams were quite equally matched in the early stages.
It was Ferryhill, however, that took the lead after seven minutes through Deacon Simpson who got through the Wolviston defence to slot home.
All of Athletic’s players worked hard together and were solid throughout, and were almost rewarded again when Kieron Richardson let off a belter of a shot that just went over the bar.
Wolviston then gained a free-kick on the edge of the Ferryhill box, but the resulting shot was well saved by Kris Carr.
Wolviston looked a good organised side, but it wasn’t long before Athletic took full control of the game, Jay Roddam having a good chance at goal, plenty of good running on the left wing from Shane Todd and Adam Morland doing just about everything he could but put the ball into the net.
A clinical finish from Richardson just before half-time doubled the away side’s lead, whilst Morland had a good chance to score when the ball glanced across the face of goal just in front of him.
The warm weather continued as the second half got underway, and it wasn’t long before Athletic found themselves in front of goal again.
Richardson hit the bar shortly before scoring his second with a shot that left the home keeper stranded.
Morland had a goal ruled out for a questionable offside, and then had another shot saved by the keeper.
The attacking continued as Alex Quinn hit the cross bar with 26 minutes to go and Morland being denied a penalty after being brought down.
Richardson fired across the face of goal, seeing his effort go narrowly wide before he got his hat-trick to complete a 0-4 win just before the game’s conclusion.
This was a solid, impressive performance in which the lads played excellently as a team, and it is to be hoped that it continues on Wednesday evening when the squad travels to Leeholme to face Coundon and Leeholme, kick-off 6.30pm.
Chris Orton
Writing regular Ferryhill Athletic match reports.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
