FIRST GAME AS FOUNTAIN FAULTERED | RYHOPE 7-2 FOUNTAIN

The Fountain FC travelled to Ryhope Cricket Club on 26 October 2025 for a 10:30am kick-off in a cup away fixture against Ryhope FC.

The Fountain FC lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, deploying Andy Gowland in goal behind a back four of Brandon Fitzgerald at right back, Jamie Tincknell and Lewis Sullivan as central defenders, and Nathan Sterling at left back. Ian Johnstone operated as the lone holding midfielder, shielding the defence and linking play. Ahead of him, Joe Currie took up the right attacking midfield role with Lewis Currie on the left, both expected to provide width and creativity. The front three consisted of Ryan Hardy on the right forward position, Favour Ekomemon as the central striker, and Owen Hardy on the left forward slot, tasked with leading the line and converting chances. The substitutes named were Lewis Murphy, Jonny Thirlaway, and Damo Freeman.

Ryhope FC wasted no time in asserting their dominance, scoring inside the opening minute with a close-range finish from inside the box that caught The Fountain defence cold. The early setback set the tone for a difficult morning for the visitors. However, The Fountain responded well and found an equaliser in the 15th minute when Lewis Currie capitalised on a short pass from Favour Ekomemon to slot home from close range inside the box, restoring parity and offering a glimmer of hope.

The match then took a physical turn, with Lewis Sullivan receiving a yellow card in the 24th minute for a shirt pull in the box, awarding Ryhope a penalty in the process, which they converted, regaining the lead and putting The Fountain on the back foot once more. The visitors’ defensive frailties were further exposed as Ryhope added a tap-in goal in the 30th minute and another inside the box five minutes later, stretching their advantage to 4-1 before the half-hour mark.

The game restarted, and straight off the bat, we saw Joe Currie take a nasty knock to the right leg, resulting in a yellow for the home side. Despite the injury, Currie played on.

Despite the mounting deficit, The Fountain’s striker Favour Ekomemon showcased his quality with a fine solo goal in the 40th minute, weaving through defenders to reduce the arrears to 4-2. The intensity of the contest was reflected in the disciplinary actions that followed, with Ryhope receiving a yellow card for throwing the ball at the goalscorer, while the ref also carded Ekomemon for trying to get the ball back off the opposition.

The first half concluded with Ryhope firmly in control at 4-2. At the interval, The Fountain made an enforced change as Lewis Murphy replaced the injured Nathan Sterling at left back. The second half saw Ryhope continue their relentless assault, scoring again in the 55th minute from inside the box to extend their lead to 5-2.

Tactical substitutions followed as Jonny Thirlaway came on for Owen Hardy in the 60th minute, aiming to inject fresh impetus into the attack. However, Ryhope’s dominance was unrelenting, with a headed goal in the 70th minute pushing the scoreline to 6-2. The Fountain responded with a tactical change of their own, bringing on Damo Freeman for Jamie Tincknell in defence to shore up the backline.

Ryhope sealed their emphatic victory with a seventh goal inside the box in the 80th minute, leaving The Fountain with a mountain to climb. The visitors made a final tactical substitution, reintroducing Owen Hardy for Brandon Fitzgerald at right back, but the damage was already done.

Favour Ekomemon’s efforts stood out for The Fountain FC, earning him the Man of the match accolade despite the heavy defeat. The game highlighted defensive vulnerabilities and the gulf in quality on the day, with Ryhope FC’s clinical finishing and sustained pressure proving decisive. The referee’s performance was rated as average, with the match’s physicality and disciplinary moments adding to the challenge of officiating.

Ultimately, The Fountain FC will look to regroup and learn from this humbling cup exit as they prepare for their next fixtures. Meanwhile, Ryhope FC progress comfortably, buoyed by a dominant display on home turf.