All good things come to an end, and so it was on Saturday when Ferryhill Athletic lost their first game of the season when they bowed out of the Washington Aged Miner’s Cup against a gutsy, determined Consett Blackfyne of the Wearside League Second Division after a penalty shoot-out, reports Chris Orton.
This was the first time that Athletic had faced the side from north-west Durham and they won’t be wanting to meet them again any time soon.
The game was fairly even in the early stages, with Consett playing very well with a pressing game that caught Athletic out at times.
It was the home side who took the lead however, when Michael Hogg struck home after fifteen minutes with an excellently-taken goal following some great ball control in the penalty area.
Blackfyne equalised soon after though after a goalkeeping error from Ferryhill.
Athletic found themselves losing the ball quite easily at times, and their best chance in this spell came when Kieron Richardson fired over.
However, it was the visitors who made Ferryhill pay for more sloppy play by taking a 2-1 lead on the stroke of half time and turn the game on its head.
Blackfyne came out battling in the second half and Ferryhill found it difficult against a strong, determined side.
Adam Morland managed to force an excellent save from Blackfyne keeper, Jamie Bradley, five minutes in, but things threatened to turn ugly for a spell with some hard tackles going in.
Athletic came back to level proceedings when Cameron Wallace neatly finished from the left, and then re-took the lead through Alex Quinn with fifteen minutes left to leave it looking like Athletic were headed for another win.
Wallace nabbed his second shortly after to put some distance between the sides, but Blackfyne kept themselves in the hunt, earning a third when they converted a penalty.
And with just two minutes left on the clock, the visitors were back on level terms to take the game to penalties.
This was a hard game, not the most pleasant to watch, and unlike the last time Ferryhill were involved in a shoot-out there was to be no victory as the away side scored five to the Athletic’s three ensuring the home team bowed out of the competition.
Next week Athletic are again in cup action at home, this time in the Durham FA Minor Cup 2nd Round when they face Newton Aycliffe YFC Senior. Please note the earlier kick-off time of 1.30pm.
Meanwhile, representatives from Ferryhill Athletic will be laying a wreath on behalf of the club at the town’s Remembrance Day parade on 9th November in the Market Place. Please try to join them if you can.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
Chris Orton
Writing regular Ferryhill Athletic match reports.
