Travelling to this game, I knew Easington would be favourites, but I wasn’t expecting us to win by quite this margin. To be honest, when you’re winning so easily, it’s not very entertaining, but it is a good win to book our spot in the next round. I’ve been at Newcastle Races during the day today with an owners badge for Roaring Rory. He ran a disappointing race to be honest, and as he was in the 10 past 5, I went straight from the racecourse to this game at Willington.

Match report:

Colliers hammer Durham to progress in Durham Challenge Cup

Easington Colliery claimed an emphatic 0-9 win away to Durham City in the preliminary round of the Durham Challenge Cup on Tuesday night.

Jack Pounder scored a steady five for the Green Army, while there was also a brace for Rhys Turnbull.

Jonathan Pearson and Liam Adamson were both also on the scoresheet for the Green Army.

Following their suspensions, Pounder and Brennan Ball both returned to the starting eleven, as did Pearson.

Ben Reynolds played in goal for the Colliers, but it was probably the quietest night he’s ever had as a goalkeeper.

Upon kick-off, Adamson had a chance within the opening minute, and then James Watson had an effort crash off the crossbar and then on the line. Many claimed it had crossed the line, but the assistant referee thought otherwise.

Pounder put the Colliers ahead in the fourth minute. Taking responsibility of a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, Pounder curled it round the wall and into the near corner.

Luke Pearn then hit the post for the Green Army, before Watson, Pounder and Adamson all had further chances as the Colliers bossed the game, and Durham’s task was made even tougher on the half hour mark. Durham goalkeeper Dean Brooks totally misjudged the bounce of a long ball, and he handled the ball outside of the penalty area giving the referee no option but to send him off.

Goalkeepers taking their shirts off after being sent off to give to whoever is going in goal is quite common, but Brooks decided his replacement also needed his shorts, so he left the pitch in boxers and his boots!

Shortly after, the Colliers doubled their lead. A corner was headed partially clear, and with a Durham man just standing there waiting for the ball to drop to him, Pearson ran onto it to send a powerful header into the top corner from the penalty spot.

Soon after, it was three. Pounder again took responsibility of a dangerous free-kick, and this time he picked out the top corner.

The fourth goal came just two minutes later. Pounder turned provider as his lovely cross picked out Turnbull whose equally impressive header found the net.

Pounder then went close to his hat-trick as another dangerous free-kick clipped the ball before bouncing back off the post.

Ball and Pearn both had further chances for the Colliers late in the half.

Following the break, Pounder collected his hat-trick in the 51st minute when he tucked home a penalty by sending the replacement ‘keeper the wrong way.

It was nil-six on the hour mark. Durham’s goalkeeper failed to collect Jak Ashton’s cross, and Pounder was able to poke the ball to Turnbull who fired into an empty net.

In the 64th minute, Adamson got in on the act. After a quick one-two with Pounder on the edge of the area, Adamson curled a lovely effort into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area.

After a couple of further chances for the Green Army, Pounder scored his fourth and the Colliers eighth in the 72nd minute. A good save pushed Turnbull’s original effort onto the crossbar, but Pounder was quickest to react to fire home the rebound.

Pounder had the ball in the net again with 10 minutes to play after Ball’s great ball, but it was ruled out for offside.

Adamson, Garon Garside and Pounder all had further chances, before the Colliers scored their ninth and final goal in the 89th minute. A bit of pressure from Turnbull caused a terrible mistake from a Durham defender, and it left Pounder with an open goal for 0-9.

Unsurprisingly, no added time was played, and the Colliers booked their spot in the next round with a very comprehensive win.

Full-time: Durham City 0-9 Easington Colliery

Next up for me is maybe a game tomorrow.

Durham City: Brooks, Wahab (Khan, 61′), Thompson (c), Potts, Crathorne, Kennedy, Yoossef, Williams (Barrett, 57′), Appleby, Voung (Soakell, 27′), Payne

Unused sub: Graydon

Easington Colliery: Reynolds, Nicholson, Ashton, Watson, Ball, Garside, Pearn, Pearson, Pounder (c), Adamson, Turnbull

Subs (all unused): Home-Jackson, Middleton, McGoldrick

Admission: £5 adults, £3 concessions

Programme: Don’t think so

Attendance: 78

Referee: Joshua Gordon

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