Freescoring Ferryhill top table

Durham City visited Dean Bank Park on Saturday, coming off the back of a 5-0 defeat the previous weekend to meet a Ferryhill Athletic side that had yet to taste defeat this season, reports Chris Orton.

Ferryhill had two new signings in starting line-up in the form of Ben Todd and Marcus Pearce, and it wasn’t long until the home side had the ball in the opposition net, although the goal was disallowed for offside.

Thankfully, this didn’t matter as Kieron Richardson notched up the first with an easy tap in soon after.

Seconds later he got his second and Ellis Hare scored the third a minute after this. Adam Morland got the fourth to put Ferryhill 4-0 up before the half hour was out.

The pacy Zak Lauder had a good chance, followed by further efforts from Richardson and Hare in a spell where Athletic ran Durham ragged.

There was very little coming from the Citizens and Richardson shot over the bar just before half time.

Were it not for the Durham keeper, Daniel West, the score could have been far higher than it was when the referee brought the opening period to a close.

The second half was a more turgid affair, with play rather scrappy at times.

Morland was unlucky not to get a second when his shot was turned away.

Athletic introduced Will Houlahan and Michael Hull from the bench and the former’s pace was very welcome.

Despite not having a shot on target all game, Durham managed to get a goal back from a craftily-worked free kick, converted by Bryan Wood.

Durham had a spell of better play but still looked toothless.

Houlhan had a shot saved by the keeper soon after but Athletic took their foot off the gas slightly, with the game suffering from the referee stopping play every few minutes.

Durham didn’t have a shot on goal from open play in the entire game and the visitors had a very good keeper to thank for keeping the score down to single figures, even preventing Richardson from notching another hat-trick as the game drew to a close.

Michael Hull scored Ferryhill’s fifth to cap a fifth consecutive league win for the table toppers, with Kieron Richardson taking the man of the match award.

Next up for Ferryhill is an away tie in the Clem Smith Bowl preliminary round, away to Billingham Synthonia Reserves at Bede College in Billingham. Kick-off is 1.30pm.