Pitch issues forced a temporary relocation to Whitworth Park in Spennymoor, where Ferryhill Athletic met Birtley Town Development in Round 2 of the Clem Smith Bowl, writes Chris Orton.
Conditions for football were atrocious due to the strength of the wind, but both teams battled valiantly in what turned out to be a good match.
The ‘home’ team took the initiative with both Callum Watkinson and Alfie Backhouse going close early on.
Birtley fought back and half an hour in had a shot go over the Ferryhill bar.
A good attacking run by Ferryhill’s Watkinson then resulted in a near miss on goal.
Athletic had the majority of the play throughout, but despite this, Birtley had a couple of good chances and never gave up.
At the half-way point, the game was goalless, but Ferryhill pressed hard in the second half and were rewarded fifteen minutes in when Backhouse fired home.
Both teams fought well in the difficult conditions, with Birtley equalising a quarter of an hour from time with a goal from Jones after a defensive lapse.
At the final whistle the match was drawn, with cup rules demanding an immediate penalty shoot-out.
Ferryhill managed to slot home all five penalties through Richardson, Agar, Backhouse, Morland and Devine.
Birtley missed one of theirs, and with Athletic going first in the shootout, the final penalty ensured a 5-3 final score in favour of Ferryhill.
The club now progresses to the semi-final of the competition, where it will face either Consett Reserves or Chester-le-Street Park View, with the game scheduled for no earlier than February.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
