Durham City responded to the taunts that they were 'a pub side from the North East' and hammered Blue Square North top four side Stalybridge Celtic 6-1 in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.
Reports filtered back from Cheshire last week that some Stalybridge fans were being less than complimentary towards Lee Collings' side.
If they needed an incentive this was it.
City rose to the occasion and produced their best performance of the
season to hit their illustrious opponents for six.
And this despite the fact that Celtic went ahead after just four minutes as Andy Smart's shot bounced off the crossbar and Chris Williams hit the rebound into the top of the net.
Within eight minutes Durham were level through the brilliance of Gavin Cogden who completed an excellent move, driving the ball home from close in.
Five minutes later, Stephen Richardson beat goalkeeper Paul Phillips and as they tore the home defence to shreds, Cogden made it three with a header.
Just before the break, Cogden outstripped the home defence to set up Richardson and worse was to follow for Stalybridge who had Ashley Woolliscroft sent off.
Cogden completed a superb hat-trick on 56 minutes and just before the end John Toft made it six.
City are still unbeaten in all competitions this season. They can hardly wait for tomorrow's Durham Challenge Cup tie against Boldon CA at the Arnott Stadium.
The full article contains 245 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
