A SUNDAY TO REMEMBER | STEELTOWN FC 2-11 FOUNTAIN FC

On 9 November 2025, Remembrance Sunday, The Fountain FC travelled to Tantobie Cricket Club to face Consett Steeltown First in a league away fixture that kicked off at 10:00am. Referee Dan Riddle oversaw the game with commendable control, ensuring the flow of the match was maintained throughout.

The Fountain FC lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, with Andy Gowland inbetween the sticks, and a solid back four with Brandon Fitzgerald at right defender, Jonny Thirlaway and Jamie Tincknell as central defenders, and Nathan Sterling covering the left flank. Ian Johnstone sat just ahead of the defence as the central midfielder, tasked with shielding the backline and distributing the ball efficiently. Ahead of him, Joe Currie operated on the right attacking midfield, while Similoluwa Afilaka took up the left attacking midfield role, both expected to provide creativity and width. The front three consisted of Scott Thompson on the right forward, Favour Ekomemen as the central striker, and Owen Hardy on the left forward, all charged with leading the attacking threat. Andy Gowland guarded the goal. The substitutes named were Shan Emmanuel, Ben Walton, Lewis Murphy, and Ross Laybourn.

The match burst into life early on as Jamie Tincknell opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a clever Zlatan back heel finish, neatly set up by a short pass from Favour Ekomemen. This early goal set the tone for The Fountain FC’s attacking intent. Ten minutes later, Owen Hardy doubled the lead with a close-range tap-in, capitalising on a long pass across the box from Joe Currie that sliced through the opposition defence.

Favour Ekomemen then showcased his striking prowess in the 20th minute, finishing inside the box with his right foot after a precise long pass from goalkeeper Andy Gowland, who launched the attack from the back. The Fountain FC’s attacking midfield continued to shine when Similoluwa Afilaka scored in the 30th minute, when an indirect free kick was taken by Simi, flicked back to Joe Currie, who smashes the shot at goal, deflecting off Simi before hitting the net.

The striker Ekomemen was on target again five minutes later, converting a penalty with his right foot to extend the lead further. Consett Steeltown First managed to pull one back in the 40th minute with a goal from inside the box, offering a brief glimmer of hope. However, The Fountain FC responded swiftly as Ekomemen struck once more in the 44th minute, finishing inside the box from a short pass by Afilaka, who had been influential throughout the first half.

As the half drew to a close, The Fountain FC’s dominance was clear, leading 6-1 at the interval. After the standard tow minutes silence in honour of those who gave their lives for this country, the match restarted.

The second half began with Ekomemen continuing his remarkable scoring run, netting again in the 46th minute from a free kick delivered by Jonny Thirlaway. The visitors’ set-piece threat was proving too much for the home side.

In the 55th minute, Jamie Tincknell added his second goal with a close-range header from a corner taken by Ian Johnstone, further emphasising The Fountain FC’s aerial prowess. Ekomemen was not finished yet, scoring his fifth goal of the match in the 60th minute from outside the box, again assisted by Afilaka’s short pass.

Shortly after this goal, tactical changes began with Shan Emmanuel replacing Brandon Fitzgerald at right defender in the 60th minute. Consett Steeltown First struck back with a direct free kick from outside the box in the 65th minute, narrowing the deficit to 9-2.

The Fountain FC made further substitutions to maintain their momentum, with Ben Walton coming on for the prolific Ekomemen in the 70th minute. Joe Currie then added to the tally with a close-range tap-in, assisted by a cross from Scott Thompson, restoring the eight-goal cushion immediately.

Lewis Murphy replaced Owen Hardy in the 75th minute, followed by Ross Laybourn coming on for Jamie Tincknell five minutes later. The final goal of the match came in the 90th minute when substitute Shan Emmanuel scored inside the box, finishing off a flicked assist from Ross Laybourn to cap off a truly comprehensive victory.

Despite Favour scoring five goals today, it would be Andy Gowland who was awarded the Man of the Match award, but it was Ekomemen's commanding presence up front that pushed the Fountain to their largest recorded win, a fitting recognition for his all-round contribution. The Fountain FC’s clinical finishing and tactical discipline ensured a memorable day at Tantobie Cricket Club, leaving Consett Steeltown First to rue a heavy defeat.