Following a convincing 5-0 league win in midweek, Ferryhill Athletic can consider themselves very unlucky to have bowed out of the Alan Hood Charity Cup on Saturday, reports Chris Orton.
Midweek’s visit to bottom side, Brandon saw Kieron Richardson lead the scoring for the visitor with a double, supported by contributions from Michael Hogg, Harley Cairns, and Matthew Agar. Athletic sit seventh in the 17-team table, just three points behind fourth-place Richmond Town. Having met in the league in August, Ferryhill ran out 2-0 winners over Shotton Colliery, so the team from East Durham were looking for revenge when the sides met again in the cup on Saturday. Unfortunately for Ferryhill, in a game that was affected by strong winds, the home side triumphed 5-4 on penalties after the game had ended 3-3 at full time.
Shotton took the initiative in the early stages of the first half and managed to take the lead after only a couple of minutes. This was a fast-paced tricky game, in which Athletic played by far the better football and had most of the ball. Tyler Brown came close to scoring and was a constant threat for the away side. The scores were levelled when Joe Purvis scored direct from a long-range free kick in that sailed over the Shotton goalkeeper. Kieron Richardson was the extent an attempt from a free-kick, but his shot went over the bar.
Most of the possession was with the away side and they played some good passing football. The first half ended with honours even, but Ferryhill had the prospect of playing against the wind in the second half. Early in the second period, Matthew Agar forced a good save from the home keeper from yet another free-kick. Ferryhill introduced Harley Cairns and Deacon Simpson, with the latter making an immediate impact on the game, heading wide not long after he came on.
Unfortunately for Ferryhill, a Shotton attempt that looked to be going over was helped into the net by the wind. Richardson put this right soon after to level the game at 2-2, with Cairns bagging another goal to restore the lead. Despite this, the home side were lucky to benefit from the wind again when a corner from them was helped into the net by a gust of wind. The game finished 3-3 and immediately went to penalties. Despite the best efforts of Ferryhill, the home side ran out 5-4 victors. Athletic can consider themselves to be very unfortunate runners-up. The impressive Kieran Gillham took the Man of the Match award.
Due to circumstances outside of Athletic’s control, next week’s match against Washington has been switched to being an away game and will take place away at the Northern Area Playing Fields in Washington with kick-off at 3pm.
Chris Orton
Writing regular Ferryhill Athletic match reports.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
