DERBY DAY DUBS!! | FOUNTAIN FC 3-1 THE DUKE
⚽ Result
The Fountain FC 3
The Duke Of Wellington FC 1
🏆 Competition
The CM Flooring Consett & District Sunday League DIvision 1
Home league match
📅 When
Sunday, 06 September 2026
📍 Venue
Delves Lane Community Association Pitch (Home)
On 6 September 2026, The Fountain FC hosted The Duke Of Wellington FC in the first Medomsley Rd derby at Delves Lane Community Association Pitch in a league encounter kicking off at 10:30am.
The Fountain FC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, deploying a balanced shape designed to control midfield and exploit wide areas. Andy Gowland took his place between the sticks as goalkeeper, protected by a back four consisting of Tony Storey at right back, Dan Cave and captain Lewis Sullivan as central defenders, and Jonny Thirlaway on the left. The double pivot in central midfield featured Ian Johnstone and Gary Booth, tasked with both defensive duties and initiating attacks. Ahead of them, the attacking trio comprised Rowan Latimer on the right wing, Dylan Saleh centrally as the attacking midfielder, and Lewis Currie on the left flank. Leading the line was newcomer Kieran O’Kennedy, expected to spearhead the attack and convert chances. The substitutes bench included Damo Freeman, Kieron Kennedy, Nathan Sterling, Brandon Fitzgerald, Malachi Martin, and Scott Thompson.
The match began with The Fountain FC asserting early dominance, and it was Gary Booth who opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Receiving a precise lobbed pass from Dan Cave, Booth expertly controlled and fired a shot from outside the box that sailed over the goalkeeper to give the hosts the lead. Booth’s influence was evident again just before half-time, smashing in a direct free-kick into the net in the 42nd minute, doubling The Fountain’s advantage and sending the home supporters into raptures.
At the interval, The Fountain FC led 2-0, having demonstrated control in midfield and effective use of set-pieces. The second half, however, brought a moment of misfortune when the Duke were awarded a corner kick, that was swung into the back stick while the Fountain were still trying to organise, the ball was headered towards goal but blocked, trickling to Gowland’s grasp before Dylan Saleh swings a leg at it and the ball loops into his own net in the 54th minute, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Despite this setback, The Fountain FC maintained composure and discipline.
The Duke Of Wellington FC’s frustration boiled over in the 65th minute when one of their players was shown a straight red card for violent conduct against Gary Booth, who managed to keep a level head, leaving the visitors to battle with ten men for the remainder of the match. This numerical advantage allowed The Fountain FC to dictate proceedings more comfortably.
A flurry of tactical substitutions followed in the 73rd minute as The Fountain FC introduced Damo Freeman for Kieran O’Kennedy, Kieron Kennedy replacing Ian Johnstone, Nathan Sterling coming on for Jonny Thirlaway, and Scott Thompson taking over from Rowan Latimer. These changes injected fresh legs and energy into the side, reinforcing both defensive solidity and attacking impetus.
The Duke Of Wellington FC received a yellow card for serious foul play shortly after, further highlighting their increasingly desperate attempts to stem The Fountain’s momentum. The home side capitalised on their numerical superiority in the 78th minute when Dan Cave rose highest to power a header into the net from a well-delivered free-kick by Gary Booth, restoring a two-goal cushion.
A number of offside calls against substitute Damo Freeman were contentious, with replays suggesting the decision was incorrect, but it did little to alter the outcome. The Fountain FC saw out the remainder of the match with control and discipline, securing a 3-1 victory.
But it would not finish there, as tensions boiled on the Duke side, attacking Kieran O'Kennedy after the final whistle was blown, but the matter was swiftly resolved.
Dan Cave earned today's Man of the match accolade, but it was Gary Booth who truly stood out for the Fountain, doing exactly as instructed in the middle of the park, and his crucial goals, underscoring his vital contribution to The Fountain FC’s success, securing the three points.
Overall, The Fountain FC’s tactical organisation, effective set-piece execution, and resilience under pressure ensured a well-deserved win over The Duke Of Wellington FC in this early season league fixture.
