In a commanding display, The Turf FC triumphed over Annfield Plain AFC with a resounding scoreline of 7-1 in a friendly match held at Derwent Park Stadium on 16 July 2025. The match kicked off at 6:30pm, showcasing an impressive performance from The Turf FC, who dominated throughout the encounter.
The Turf FC lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, designed to provide both defensive solidity and attacking flair. Lee D took his position in goal, while Nathan Sterling and Ben Walton occupied the right and left defensive roles respectively. Central defenders Jamie Tincknell and Jonny Thirlaway formed a robust partnership at the heart of the defence. In front of them, Ian Johnstone played as the central midfielder, tasked with linking play and providing support to both the defence and the attack. The attacking midfield trio consisted of Lewis Sullivan on the right, Joe Currie on the left, and Owen Hardy in a central role, with Liam Henry and Ryan Hardy leading the line as forwards.
The substitutes for The Turf FC included Dan Cave, Lewis Currie, Scott Thompson, Richard Alderson, and Robert Grzebyk, who would later play pivotal roles in the match.
The scoring opened in the 11th minute when Liam Henry found the back of the net, giving The Turf FC an early lead. This goal set the tone for the match, as The Turf FC quickly established their dominance. Just nine minutes later, a double substitution occurred, with Dan Cave replacing Ben Walton and Lewis Currie coming on for Liam Henry, who had already made his mark on the game.
Lewis Currie wasted no time in making an impact, scoring in the 26th minute to extend the lead to 2-0. Shortly after, in the 30th minute, Ryan Hardy added to the tally, making it 3-0 and further asserting The Turf FC's control over the match. As the first half drew to a close, Currie struck again in the 41st minute, netting his second goal and sending The Turf FC into the break with a commanding 4-0 advantage.
The second half began with a flurry of substitutions for The Turf FC, as Scott Thompson and Richard Alderson entered the fray, replacing Owen Hardy and Lewis Sullivan respectively. However, Annfield Plain AFC managed to find a glimmer of hope in the 55th minute, scoring their only goal of the match, reducing the deficit to 4-1.
Undeterred, The Turf FC responded swiftly, with Lewis Currie completing his hat-trick just two minutes later in the 57th minute, restoring the four-goal cushion. The substitutions continued as Lewis Sullivan returned to the pitch, taking the place of Joe Currie, while Liam Henry replaced Ian Johnstone, and Robert Grzebyk came on for Richard Alderson.
In the 75th minute, Robert Grzebyk marked his introduction with a goal, further extending The Turf FC's lead to 6-1. The scoring was capped off in the 82nd minute when Lewis Sullivan found the net, bringing the final score to an emphatic 7-1 in favour of The Turf FC.
Ryan Hardy's performance throughout the match was particularly noteworthy, earning him the accolade of Player of the Match as he played a crucial role in the team's attacking prowess. The Turf FC's comprehensive victory showcased their strength and cohesion, leaving Annfield Plain AFC with much to ponder as they regroup after this heavy defeat.
