Durham County FA v Cheshire FA       

Durham continued their defence of the Association of Northern Counties Under 18s League when they faced Cheshire on Saturday 11th February 2023 at Nissan Sports Complex, 2pm kick off.

Some new faces in both sides’ setup for another cracking game of football with Referee Mark Bell and Assistant Referees Ryan Moore, and Harvey Storey officiating. 

Cheshire FA started on the front foot in the early stages of the match when Oakley Maddock’s cross intended for Mason Piercy was well held by Kyle Seymour in the Durham goal.

As the game progressed Durham started to see more of the ball, Dom Pegram making his debut looked to switch the play from left to right finding Luke Richards but just a little too much on the pass but a good quick move from Durham!

GOAL! 16 minutes on the clock and Durham took the lead. Findley Smith took a quick throw in to  Brennan Fitzpatrick who controlled the ball on this first touch, his second touch a fantastic cross which lofted over the Cheshire defence and found Ryan Wright lurking at the back post to smash home! 1-0.

3 minutes later and Durham could of increased their lead when a Dominic Pegram’s corner was well met by Lewis Rutherford who saw his header go just over the bar.

26th minute Cheshire FA freekick on the edge of the box as Harry Laviolette brings Mason Piercy down. The resulting freekick fired into the Durham wall.

GOAL! 44th minute A brilliant move from Durham! Harry Laviolette releases Luke Richards down the right for Durham before he is dispossessed, and the ball goes out for a Durham throw. Luke Richards finds Charlie Twinn, back to Luke Richards with a little 1-2 pass and then it’s brilliant from Luke Richards a little touch out of hit feet and then a perfect cross finds the onrushing Lewis Rutherford for him to glance his header into the bottom left corner giving Durham a much deserved 2-0 lead!

Minutes before half time Durham thought they had a third Brennan Fitzpatrick delivered from the corner who found Lewis Rutherford, little lay off for Dominic Pegram who saw his shot blocked by Harry Laviolette who set the ball back to Lewis Rutherford who’s shot was then fired low and hard into the bottom left corner! Or so they thought! Assistant Referee Harvey Storey had his flag up for an offside against Charlie Wood.

Half Time:

Durham County FA 2 – 0 Cheshire FA (16’ Wright, 44’ Rutherford)

Referee Mark Bell got the game back underway, just the one change for Durham as Kyle Seymour was replaced and Harry Alderson who took his spot between the posts.

GOAL! 54th minute Durham have a third! A great move started with Brennan Fitzpatrick who looked to set Ryan Wright on his way his pass inside to Charlie Twinn just intercepted but Brennan picked up the pieces and then played a brilliant pass to Lewis Rutherford who excellently chips the ball up and over the Cheshire defender finding Riley Mouat who brought it down with a touch Dennis Bergkamp would be proud of before lashing his shot into the back of the net with his left foot to make it 3-0.

Substitutions for Durham see Charlie Twinn, Dominic Pegram and Riley Mouat replaced by Milo Harris, Callum Stanton and Josh Thynne.

Not long left and Durham nearly made it 4! Ryan Wright fires narrowly past the right post in what would have been a beauty of a goal!

Final few substitutions from Durham seen Brennan Fitzpatrick and Lewis Rutherford replaced with Dominic Pegram and Riley Mouat.

With minutes left Ryan Wright went close again! Driving in from the right into the box and flashing his shot wide of the left post. Very unlucky!

Mark Bell blows for full time and Durham continue their very bright start to the Association of Northern Counties with a 3-0 win against Cheshire.

Full Time:

Durham County FA 3 – 0 Cheshire FA (16’ Wright, 44’ Rutherford, 54’ Mouat)

Durham County FA Team: Kyle Seymour (South Shields), Harry Laviolette, Charlie Wood, Charlie Twinn, Riley Mouat, Dominic Pegram (Spennymoor Town), Luke Richards (Sunderland RCA), Brennan Fitzpatrick (Darlington Town), Findley Smith (FC Hartlepool), Ryan Wright (West Auckland Town), Lewis Rutherford (Hebburn Town)

Substitutes: Harry Alderson (Spennymoor Town) , Josh Thynne (Birtley Town), Milo Harris (Newton Aycliffe), Callum Stanton (Farringdon Dethatched)

Cheshire FA Team: Sheehy, Radcliffe, Brogan, Gavlion, Shaw ©, Robinson, Edwards, Piercy, Maddock, Williams.

Substitutes: Martin, Prestwich, Johnson, Tierney, Koutou