In their second cup match in the space of two weeks, Ferryhill Athletic made their way up the A1 to face Gateshead FC Performance U18 in the prestigious Durham FA Minor Cup, reports Chris Orton.
The match took place on the 3G pitch next to the International Stadium, although a mammoth trek from the dressing room was required.
Missing a number of players, Ferryhill made use of their strength in depth against a young pacy team who looked very organised in the early stages of the game.
Athletic looked to be on the back foot, until Kieron Richardson raced forward and had a promising shot.
Gateshead were well drilled and Ferryhill weren’t creating much in the near-sideways rain, not getting hold of the game until twenty minutes in when Richardson lobbed the keeper to get the first goal.
The impressive Zak Lauder grabbed the second following impressive work from Richardson, which resulted in a terrific finish that left the keeper no chance.
Lauder doubled his tally for the game shortly after and was a constant threat.
Athletic then moved up a gear, with player-manager Richardson getting goal number four, sliding the ball past the keeper with ease.
Matthew Agar was next to find himself on the scoresheet with a terrific headed goal to ensure a half-time score of 5-0 to Ferryhill.
Early in the second half Gateshead notched up a goal from the spot, after a soft penalty decision.
An own goal from Gateshead made sure that Ferryhill got their half dozen, with Richardson achieving another hat-trick with the seventh of the game after breaking free of the defence.
The young Gateshead team could offer little against Athletic, Richardson getting the ball in the net again only for it to be ruled offside.
By now, the sun had come out, and all of Ferryhill’s players were playing well; particularly Cameron Wallace and Kieran Gillham who had returned to the team from his cricketing exploits.
David Gibson, Adam Morland and Joel Bennett emerged from the bench to bring fresh legs and it paid off when Bennett got goal number eight with ten minutes to go.
Morland hit the cross-bar with a thundering shot, but there were to be no further goals and the match finished 8-1 to ensure that Athletic progress to the next round.
A word of praise is due to 16-year old debutant Ferryhill keeper Lyle Robson, who acquitted himself well.
Next week it’s back to league action with a swift return to Bede School in Billingham, this time to face Wynyard FC. Kick-off is at 1.30pm
Chris Orton
Writing regular Ferryhill Athletic match reports.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
