FOUNTAIN HIT FOUR!! | FOUNTAIN 4-1 BLAYDON HUNTSMAN

The Fountain FC welcomed Blaydon The Huntsman FC to Delves Lane Community Association Pitch on the morning of 30 November 2025 for a league fixture kicking off at 10:30am. Referee Ged Boyle oversaw the match with a strong performance, while a modest crowd of ten witnessed the action unfold.

The Fountain FC lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, deploying a solid defensive back four consisting of Andy Gowland returning to goal. Brandon Fitzgerald at right back, Captain Lewis Sullivan and Jamie Tincknell as central defenders, and Shan Emmanuel making his first start on the left flank. Ian Johnstone operated as the lone holding midfielder, tasked with shielding the defence and distributing the ball forward. Ahead of him, Joe Currie took up the right attacking midfield role, with Similoluwa Afilaka on the left, both expected to provide width and creativity. The front three featured Owen Hardy on the right wing, Favour Ekomemen leading the line as striker, and Lewis Currie on the left forward position, all charged with stretching the opposition defence and converting chances. The substitutes named were Ben Walton, Lewis Murphy, and Damo Freeman.

The match opened to a fast start by the fountain, operating the ball quickly and getting shots off early before the game settled into a more even contest between the two teams. Ten minutes into the match, a Huntsman striker was forced off the pitch after a collision with Shan Emmanuel, resulting in a nasty burst lip for the visitor.

Similoluwa Afilaka opened the scoring for The Fountain FC in the 25th minute. Receiving a long pass from Ian Johnstone, Afilaka knocked the ball past the goalkeeper on the touchline, took a touch and unleashed a spectacular screamer that nestled into the the top right corner, setting the tone for the home side’s dominance. Blaydon The Huntsman responded late in the first half with a well-taken direct free-kick from outside the box on the stroke of half-time, curling the ball perfectly into the top right corner, levelling the score at 1-1 and giving their supporters a glimmer of hope.

At the interval, the teams returned to the sidelines with the score level. The second half saw The Fountain FC regain their momentum and take the lead once more in the 58th minute. Afilaka again played a pivotal role, this time providing a precise through-ball to Favour Ekomemen, who finished clinically inside the box to restore the advantage.

Not long after, the Huntsman were awarded a corner, swinging in the cross, which was momentarily cleared, falling to Simi's feet, before being tackled just twelve yards out. The striker takes the shot, but is met with the diving strong glove of Gowland to retain the lead.

Shortly after, tactical changes began with Ben Walton replacing Owen Hardy in the 60th minute to inject fresh energy on the right wing. However, just five minutes later, Walton was forced off due to a severe hangover and was substituted by Lewis Murphy, disrupting the rhythm briefly but not the overall flow of the game. The Huntsman were once again hit with bad luck as a second man was forced off the pitch, after a collision between the keeper and centre back injured the centre back, with a potentially cracked rib, leaving the visitors down to 10 men.

However, the Huntsman would not be put down and started creating chances for themselves, a few 1v1s against Gowland, resulting in a number of tight saves to retain his sides lead. Further tactical adjustment came in the 75th minute when super-sub Damo Freeman came on for Ian Johnstone, signalling a shift as The Fountain FC sought to maintain their lead with a 5 man defence.

The home side extended their advantage in the 80th minute when Lewis Currie scored from close range, finishing off a clever backheel assist from Favour Ekomemen inside the box. This goal effectively put the game beyond doubt. The final flourish came in the 89th minute as substitute Damo Freeman capped off the scoring with a deft lob following a free-kick delivery from Jamie Tincknell, sealing a comprehensive 4-1 victory for The Fountain FC.

Similoluwa Afilaka’s influential performance, marked by a stunning goal and a crucial assist, earned him the man of the match accolade. The Fountain FC’s tactical discipline, combined with clinical finishing and solid defensive work, ensured they dominated proceedings and secured three valuable league points on home soil.