ROCKY START TO THE CUP SEASON | FOUNTAIN 7-3 TANTOBIE
⚽ Result
The Fountain FC 7
Tantobie FC The Imperial 3
🏆 Competition
Jack & Tony Grigg Memorial Trophy
Home cup match
📅 When
Sunday, 20 September 2026
📍 Venue
Delves Lane Community Association Pitch (Home)
The Fountain FC welcomed Tantobie FC The Imperial to the Delves Lane Community Association Pitch on 20 September 2026 for a lively cup tie that kicked off at 10:30am. In front of a modest crowd of 25.
The Fountain FC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, deploying Aston Wray in goal with a back four comprising Brandon Fitzgerald at right back, Gary Booth and Lewis Sullivan as central defenders, and Nathan Sterling on the left. The midfield double pivot featured Joe Currie making his return to the side and Kieron Kennedy tasked with both defensive duties and linking play. Ahead of them, the attacking trio consisted of Rowan Latimer on the right wing, Dylan Saleh centrally as the attacking midfielder, and Lewis Currie on the left. Leading the line was striker Kieran O’Kennedy, expected to spearhead the attack and convert chances. The substitutes bench included Andy Gowland, Damo Freeman, Tony Storey, Ian Johnstone, Malachi Martin and Scott Thompson.
The match burst into life early on when Tantobie FC took an unexpected lead in the 9th minute through a fluke goal that caught The Fountain defence off guard. However, the response was swift as Lewis Currie showcased his individual brilliance just three minutes later, receiving a short pass from Kieron Kennedy before taking the ball past all of the Tantobie defence and firing a right-footed solo effort past the keeper to level the scores.
The Fountain’s defensive solidity was briefly tested in the 25th minute when Brandon Fitzgerald’s misjudgement on an offside call led directly to another Tantobie goal, restoring their advantage with a composed finish from inside the box. Yet the home side remained undeterred and began to assert themselves as the half progressed.
In the 41st minute, Rowan Latimer capitalised on a long pass from Lewis Currie, cutting inside to curl a left-footed strike into the net from close range, restoring parity before the break. But the half was not finished there, as Rowan Latimer bullied a Tantobie player off the ball, taking it in towards the centre of the park, before launching a devastating screamer straight over the keeper and into the back of the net from 25+ yards out. The first half concluded with The Fountain FC showing signs of dominance, buoyed by Latimer’s influence.
The second half commenced with a flurry of changes as The Fountain made a triple substitution at the interval. Andy Gowland replaced Aston Wray in goal for tactical reasons, Damo Freeman came on for striker Kieran O’Kennedy, and Tony Storey took over at right back from the injured Brandon Fitzgerald.
The substitutions paid immediate dividends. In the 55th minute, Damo Freeman rose highest to meet a free kick delivered by Gary Booth, heading home from close range to put The Fountain ahead for the first time in the match. Just four minutes later, Latimer struck again, this time assisted by Lewis Currie’s short pass, slotting home another left-footed finish to extend the lead.
The visitors pulled one back in the 65th minute with a well worked goal from a great throughball, keeping the contest alive. However, The Fountain’s attacking momentum was relentless. In the 68th minute, Damo Freeman scored his second, this time converting a precise cross from Tony Storey with a right-footed finish inside the box.
Further tactical adjustments saw Ian Johnstone replace Joe Currie in midfield at 63 minutes, and Scott Thompson come on for Lewis Currie at 78 minutes. The latter substitution was immediately impactful as Lewis Currie, shortly before his departure, netted his second goal of the day with a neat left-footed strike inside the box, assisted by a header from Joe Currie.
The Fountain FC’s attacking verve and clinical finishing proved decisive in this high-scoring encounter. Rowan Latimer, with a hat-trick including a spectacular long-range screamer just before half time, was deservedly named man of the match over the constant of Dan Cave, who despite not being present at todays game, was still a contender for man of the match, as is tradition.
Referee Ged Boyle maintained control throughout the 90 minutes plus added time, overseeing a match that combined end-to-end action with moments of individual brilliance and defensive errors. The Fountain FC’s emphatic 7-3 triumph ensures their progression in the cup and leaves Tantobie FC The Imperial with plenty to ponder.
