The biggest crowd of the season gathered at Dean Bank for the top of the table clash between Athletic and Willington, reports Chris Orton. Unfortunately it was a bad day at the office for the home team as a combination of questionable refereeing decisions and poor defending cost Ferryhill what should have been at least a point.
Athletic played very well in the first half and the match was evenly balanced with both sides creating good chances. Ferryhill started positively and a long throw from Danny Smith almost led to a goal. Willington were on the back foot during this spell, but went close with a free kick. Kieron Richardson had a couple of good chances and went near, but the away side managed to take the lead against the run of play after 23 minutes.
Athletic were soon level again, however, when the impressive Smith squeezed the ball in at the far post following a corner.
David Gibson suffered a cut following a clash of heads but valiantly carried on. Ferryhill had a shot cleared off the line and Kieron Richardson saw an effort drift narrowly wide just before half time.
The visitors were more dominant in the second half, and re-took the lead direct from a corner due to some poor defending. Ferryhill battled hard, but Willington were playing better by now. Reece Wilkinson was injured when the Willington keeper’s knee caught him in the stomach in a challenge missed by the referee. At the other end, a goalkeeping error led to Willington’s third, but the match remained end-to-end stuff. A fourth goal came for Willington near the end, and Ferryhill looked to have had the ball over the line when the opposition keeper carried the ball backwards, but the referee disagreed.
A disappointing result for Ferryhill, who probably felt that they could have had a draw, but Willington showed why they are favourites to win the title. There’s a free weekend this week, so the next match will be away to Darlington RA Juniors in the next round of the Durham Minor Cup at Brinkburn Road on Saturday 9th November. Kick-off for that one will be at 2pm.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
