Navy Cub 3, Langley Park 0
By Ryan Gillham
After a promising start to the season for the Navy Club they came across tougher opposition in the first round of the Heart Foundation Cup receiving a home fixture against Langley Park.
The Navy Club were hoping to continue their run of good form which has only seen them lose once in the league this season from eight games.
With Striker Charlie Fowler missing meant a return to the starting 11 for Keiron Cook and new acquisition Sam Richardson making the squad after recently signing from Darlington Rolling Mills.
An interesting opening 10 minutes of the game saw Langley Park’s star midfielder receive a red card following an off the ball incident involving Navy Club midfielder Jack Rassmussen under the nose of referee Rob Chambers who took no time to make his decision as the visitors were reduced to 10 men.
As the game progressed, the Navy club had majority of the possession making use of the extra man but despite the great use of wingers Alex Fraser and Billy Moir, chances went begging for the home side as strikers Shane Dodson and Keiron Cook were unable to convert ending a frustrating first half at 0-0.
Changes were made at half time which saw Keiron Cook make way for Sam Richardson making his debut for the club.
Second half begun as the first half ended for the Navy Club with plenty of possession but the home side struggled to break down the Langley Park defence and with Langley Park’s Number 1 pulling of some fine saves to keep out the home side it looked like it wasn’t going to be their day. Mid way through the second half the Navy finally broke the deadlock after a superb finish from 25 yards as Jack Rassmussen drove the ball into the bottom corner leaving the keeper no chance and giving the home side a 1-0 lead.
The Navy finally started to relax and continued to press for more goals and it wasn’t long until another one came as Billy Moir cut in from the left hand side and looped the ball over the 6ft 5 keepers head into the far top corner making it 2-0.
With the Navy looking comfortable changes were made seeing the introductions of Liam Bingham and Wayne Gough as they looked to capitalise and put the game to bed.
Few chances came at the other end as a solid Navy Club defence never looked like conceding however the odd counter attack from Langley park kept the home side on their toes but the game was soon over when Navy Club’s new boy Sam Richardson with an excellent turn on the edge of the box, fired home into the top right hand corner sealing the victory at 3-0.
Proceeding to the next round see’s the Navy Club travel away to Easington WMC on 15th November 2015 but their next fixture takes them to Gainford Cross Keys Sunday 25th October in the Wear Valley Division 3 Cup.