LET THERE BE CARNAGE!! | TURF 3-1 SWALWELL HIGHLANDER

On a crisp autumn morning at Delves Lane Community Association Pitch, The Turf FC hosted Swalwell Highlander Magpies First in a keenly contested league encounter on 12 October 2025, kicking off promptly at 10:30am. Referee David Tomlinson officiated the match.

The Turf FC lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, a setup designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. Damo Freeman guarded the goal, supported by a back four comprising Brandon Fitzgerald at right back, Jamie Tincknell and Dan Cave as central defenders, and Nathan Sterling on the left flank. Ian Johnstone operated as the holding central midfielder, tasked with shielding the defence and distributing the ball efficiently. Ahead of him, Joe Currie took up the right attacking midfield role, while Lewis Sullivan occupied the left attacking midfield position, both expected to link play and supply the front three. The attacking trio featured Ryan Hardy on the right wing, Favour Ekomemon as the central striker, and Scott Thompson on the left wing, all charged with stretching the opposition defence and creating scoring opportunities. The substitutes named were Lewis Currie, Owen Hardy, Ben Walton, and James White.

The match began with an early setback for The Turf FC as Scott Thompson was forced off injured after just five minutes, replaced by Lewis Currie. This early substitution did little to disrupt the home side’s rhythm, who quickly asserted themselves. The first notable incident came in the 14th minute when a Swalwell Highlander Magpies player received a yellow card for a bad tackle inside the box on Favour Ekomemon, giving away a penalty, signalling the physical nature of the contest.

Jamie Tincknell confidently stepped up and converted the penalty to give the hosts an early lead. The defender’s composure from the spot set the tone for the match and put the Magpies on the back foot. The physicality from the visitors continued, resulting in another yellow card for a bad tackle in the 24th minute, once again on Favour Ekomemon, just outside of the area. The home side capitalised on this momentum immediately, with Tincknell again the architect of the next goal, unleashing a stunning direct free-kick, doubling The Turf’s advantage. The first half concluded with The Turf FC firmly in control at 2-0.

10 minutes later, a Swalwell player was sin-binned for verbal dissent upon the referee, who had no choice but to send the player away for unsportsmanlike behaviour; early showings of the cracks forming around the away side's dugout as tensions began to rise.

At the interval, The Turf FC made a tactical substitution, bringing on Owen Hardy for Dan Cave to inject fresh legs, while captain Lewis Sullivan dropped into centre back, allowing Hardy to push higher up the pitch. Only minutes after the whistle to restart the match, Swalwell found themselves down a man after seemingly dislocating his knee, momentarily pausing the game for 10 minutes so the player could receive treatment.

Once the player was off the pitch Tomlinson resumed the game. Swalwell Highlander Magpies responded early with a long-range strike in the 55th minute, pulling a goal back and reigniting their hopes of a comeback.

However, their challenge was severely hampered five minutes later when a Magpies player was shown a red card for a second yellow, reducing them to ten men. The visitors’ discipline continued to falter, with another yellow card for a bad tackle in the 65th minute.

The Turf FC took full advantage of their numerical superiority in the 70th minute when the Hardy brothers, Owen and Ryan, linked up perfectly to produce the third goal for the Turf, as Owen provided a precise cross along the face of goal for Favour Ekomemon to tap in from close range, restoring a two-goal cushion. This goal proved decisive as The Turf FC controlled the remainder of the match.

Further tactical changes saw Ben Walton replace Nathan Sterling in the 75th minute, followed by James White coming on for the goal scorer Ekomemon five minutes later, both moves aimed at preserving the lead and managing the game’s tempo.

The closing stages were marked by further disciplinary issues for the visitors, who saw another player sent off for a second yellow card at the 90th minute after a late challenge on goalkeeper Damo Freeman. Additional yellow cards for bad tackles and dissent followed in quick succession, underscoring the Magpies’ frustration as the away side rushed the field in an embarrassing showcase with the coaching staff wanting to fight the home players.

Ultimately, The Turf FC held firm to secure a 3-1 victory, a result that reflected their clinical finishing and superior discipline. Favour Ekomemon’s contribution, including the crucial third goal, earned him the man of the match accolade, highlighting his pivotal role in the home side’s success.