Road to the Final & Match Preview: How Ryhope CW made it to the Durham Challenge Cup Final and who are they up against?
Written by Kyle Ritchie on 19th April 2022
Ryhope faces Crook Town on Wednesday at the Hetton Centre as both teams compete in the final of the Durham Challenge Cup.
Colliery Welfare has beaten Jamie Tunstall’s Crook side on the two occasions that the teams have met this season in the league.
Last winning the competition back in 1978, Ryhope will be hoping to add to their record-breaking league season by taking home the trophy.
Let’s look back at how Ryhope reached the final:
First Round: Wolviston FC 0-7 Ryhope CW
Ryhope were handed a trip to Wolviston of the Wearside League in the first round. The visitors struck early as Denver Morris converted a penalty before Kyle Davis doubled his side’s advantage in the 22nd minute.
Davis got his second only three minutes into the second half, with Jon Weirs getting Ryhope’s fourth on the hour mark.
An Oscar Taylor penalty and a quick-fire brace from substitute Robbie Bird in the final minutes topped off a convincing victory to start the cup campaign.
Second Round: Ryhope CW 4-1 Ryton & Crawcrook Albion
A James Ellis brace helped Ryhope overcome a strong Northern League Division Two side as they hosted Ryton & Crawcrook Albion.
Ellis opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Konner Lamb equalised just before half-time. Davis built on the two goals he scored in the first round as he put Ryhope back into the lead just after half-time.
Goals from Taylor and Ellis put the game to bed in the second half as the home side marched into the Quarter Finals.
Quarter Final: Spennymoor Town 1-4 Ryhope CW
National League North opposition awaited Ryhope in the Quarter Finals as they headed to The Brewery Field, hoping to cause an upset.
Ellis and Taylor were on the score sheet again as two goals in the first half gave Ryhope a comfortable lead at the interval.
The home side got a goal back and put the pressure on the visitors who were forced to defend resiliently.
Late goals from Karl Southern and a second for Taylor ensured an excellent victory and Ryhope’s passage to the last four of the competition.
Semi-Final: Ryhope CW 2-1 West Auckland
Facing a team that they had not managed to beat on two occasions in the league, Ryhope faced a tough challenge if they were to make it to the final.
Ryhope started well and took the lead through Davis, who scored his fourth of the cup campaign, however, his goal was cancelled out by forward Jordan Blinco soon after.
Jon Weirs’ goal on the stroke of half-time allowed Ryhope to see out the game in the second half and progress to the final of the Durham Challenge Cup.
The Final: Crook Town vs Ryhope CW
With both teams finishing their league seasons on Saturday, both managers’ attention will have turned to the final.
Crook Town sit in 14th position whilst Ryhope sit in 4th position. However, both teams’ position could change as others conclude their season.
Ryhope won 3-1 when the teams met at Recreation Ground back; in August with goals coming from Chris Trewick, Ellis and Brad Hird.
In December, the sides met again at the Sir Tom Cowie Millfield, where Ryhope came out on top once again, winning 2-1 with the goals coming from Ellis and Weirs.
