Ferryhill made it four wins on the bounce with a resounding 12-0 victory over FC Hartlepool Reserves at Dean Bank on Saturday, reports Chris Orton.
A terrific team spirit was on display from the whole side as Athletic completely dominated a weak opposition.
Ferryhill were in control from the off, with Matty Ashcroft-Brown shooting wide early on.
Will Houlahan was a constant menace up front with his passing pace, and it wasn’t long until the lead was taken when Kieron Richardson added to his impressive tally for the season, slotting home and leaving the keeper no chance.
The second came when Joe Langton scored a well-taken goal following some excellent teamwork.
Hartlepool were able to offer little, and Alex Quinn ran their defenders ragged, shooting over after 25 minutes.
A nasty tackle on Ferryhill’s Luke Thompson left stud marks all down his leg and resulted in a yellow card for the Hartlepool number 9, but the defender battled on.
Houlahan got the third with a rather lucky goal that looked as if it didn’t cross the line, but the referee disagreed and allowed it to stand, with Richardson getting the fourth not long after.
Just before half time, the impressive Ashcroft-Brown scored number five.
Almost as soon as the kick-off happened, Quinn notched up number six after a Langton shot rebounded.
Richardson went close again, with Hartlepool offering little in the way of opposition at all, before getting number seven with a cool finish.
The eighth came when Ashcroft-Brown got his second by chipping the keeper to sink the ball into the net.
Houlahan got a well-deserved goal to make it nine, with a Reece Wilkinson belter getting the tenth on the board.
By now Ferryhill were out of sight and topped off a superb team display with a terrific Houlahan hat-trick strike and a fourth goal from Richardson after an unselfish pass from Ashcroft-Brown.
Next up for Athletic is a midweek trip to Washington Athletic as the Chapter goes press followed by home game against New Durham on Saturday, which has a 2pm kick-off.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
