Ryhope Colliery Welfare go into the rearranged Durham Challenge Cup tie against Seaham Red Star after a very frustrating defeat in the FA Vase on Saturday. Gary Pearson and Chris McCabe make some changes to the squad from the weekend with Jordan Harkess, Danni Lay and Brad Hird back into the team.
This fixture has faced the classic COVID19, Christmas restrictions where it was reversed to now be played in Seaham with both sides having the opportunity to bag entrance to the next round of the cup for the new year.
The first half was very much the same as we left off on Saturday with limited opportunities for both sides. The first clear opportunity for Welfare come after the 13th minute with a very confident looking Denver Morris exchanges the ball with Kyle Davis who manages to slot Brad Hird through on goal to create the first threat at goal for CW. Throughout the first half the front pairing of Davis, Hird and Bird looked prosperous and felt like something creative would happen soon. After the 24th minute we began to see the full force of the attacking flare that CW seemed to offer in this game with a very dangerous overlap from Morris that needed a quick flick across goal to the open Robbie Bird to make it another clear chance missed for Ryhope. That was that for the first half which ended 0-0.
In the second half, Ryhope CW seemed to change their mentality, we had 7 goals! In the 52nd minute, Morris came off for Bailey Judson. Later, a freekick was created for CW but unfortunately Red Star cleared it away but a few minutes later, CW were on the attack and a corner was brought into the box by Davis and Lay got a strong head to the ball but it was just wide, a brilliant chance for CW. Both sides seemed to be creating chances thick and fast but the deadlock was not broken yet.
5 minutes later, the deadlock was broken with Bradley Hird scoring for CW! Just under 10 minutes later, Red Star scored from the spot making a 1-1. James Ellis came on for Hird and he instantly chanced a chance for Robbie Bird which was nearly scored but was held by the goalkeeper in the end. Just a minute later, Ellis curled the ball into the box and Bird catches it on his head to create the goal making it 2-1. Another few minutes later, it was 3-1! A ball through the middle made a chance for Ellis to slot it right into the bottom corner. Surely this was game over with just over 10 minutes left…
Red Star managed to get one goal back making it 3-2 but Ryhope immediately reacted to the score line and the ball was pressed forward with Judson controlling it. The ball lied to the feet of Robbie Bird and he put it home for CW. Just a minute later Judson created another chance for Kyle Davis who managed to finish the game off. The full-time whistle went, and the lads looked very happy with the result with 4 goals for CW in under 10 minutes!This win means CW end the year on a high and are through to the 2nd round of the Durham Challenge Cup where we face West Auckland Town at home in January!
Full-time result:
Ryhope Colliery Welfare 5 – 2 Seaham Red Star
Scorers:
Bradley Hird (61) Bailey Judson (79) James Ellis (81) Robbie Bird (85) Kyle Davis (88)
You can hear the full match reaction from Joint Manager Gary Pearson, Here..