Post by slush on Jul 17, 2006 12:06:13 GMT
Rutter blow clouds encouraging show
FOUR days after the North Ferriby defeat, an Eastenders XI entertained West Yorkshire League side Pontefract Sports & Social Reserves with a mood of despondency in the air following news of the injury to Neil Rutter.
As mentioned in the above report, the skipper came off before half-time complaining of a jarred knee. Unfortunately, a visit to a specialist the following day revealed ligament damage and an extensive layoff.
Thankfully, the next batch of Easington hopefuls did their best to raise spirits with an encouraging show against tidy opposition.
As with the Ferriby game, the result was of less significance than the performance. But given that Chris Rawlings barely had a save to make in the entire ninety minutes, there’s no doubting the Eastenders deserved the win.
Under the watchful eye of assistant-boss Dave Walmsley (himself ruled out of action with a calf strain), Reserves management duo John Clarke and ‘Biff’ McNaught fielded a squad showing a nice blend of youth and experience, with rolling subs to ensure that everyone received at least half a game’s run-out – testing enough on a blazing hot afternoon.
By rights the locals should have come off at half-time two or three goals to the good. The old and new strike partnership of Smith and ‘Wingco’ combined to waste several opportunities, many of which were orchestrated by the impressive Jamie Cousins who fitted in well on the left side of midfield.
It was his free kick on the half hour that also set up an excellent opportunity for fellow youngster ‘Bezza’ Barnett but he blazed high over the bar.
The second half continued to see the Eastenders in the ascendancy with ‘Wingco’ again passing up a good opportunity, while for all their at times tidy approach play, Pontefract offered little by way of direct threat on Rawls’ goal.
The deadlock was finally broken on 62mins when Barnett was fouled in the box and Luke Smith coolly tucked away the resulting penalty.
Both Smith and Dave Clubley then passed up presentable heading chances as Easington, getting the ball on the deck, began to carve open their visitors.
When Smith fired straight at the keeper, following a fine move involving Thurkettle, Fisk and Thompson, it appeared that one goal might have to be enough. But moments later, another flowing move involving the impressive Fisk, Clubley and Thompson again put Smith clear and this time he made it 2-0 with a sublime finish.
Darren Dawson then rifled home a 20-yard bullet to put the seal on a heartening afternoon’s work.
Afterwards, Clarke was full of praise for the effort shown and the quality of football played, particularly after the interval. He was also especially pleased with the attitude and commitment of the youngsters on show, which gives particular hope for the future.
Eastenders: C Rawlings, B Fisk, M Hooley, P Brown, A McNaught, S Campbell, D Thompson, D Dawson, Foster, L Smith, J Cousins;
SUBS: T McLaughlin (for Brown, 30), L Jeffery (for Fisk, 30), A Barnett (for Smith, 30), D Campbell for Hooley, 45), D Clubley (for Dawson, 45), M Thurkettle (for Thompson, 45), Smith (for Foster, 60), Foster (for McNaught, 75), Fisk (for Jeffery, 75), Brown (for S Campbell, 80), Thompson (for Barnett, 80)
Referee: D Sparke (Hull)
Att: 31
FOUR days after the North Ferriby defeat, an Eastenders XI entertained West Yorkshire League side Pontefract Sports & Social Reserves with a mood of despondency in the air following news of the injury to Neil Rutter.
As mentioned in the above report, the skipper came off before half-time complaining of a jarred knee. Unfortunately, a visit to a specialist the following day revealed ligament damage and an extensive layoff.
Thankfully, the next batch of Easington hopefuls did their best to raise spirits with an encouraging show against tidy opposition.
As with the Ferriby game, the result was of less significance than the performance. But given that Chris Rawlings barely had a save to make in the entire ninety minutes, there’s no doubting the Eastenders deserved the win.
Under the watchful eye of assistant-boss Dave Walmsley (himself ruled out of action with a calf strain), Reserves management duo John Clarke and ‘Biff’ McNaught fielded a squad showing a nice blend of youth and experience, with rolling subs to ensure that everyone received at least half a game’s run-out – testing enough on a blazing hot afternoon.
By rights the locals should have come off at half-time two or three goals to the good. The old and new strike partnership of Smith and ‘Wingco’ combined to waste several opportunities, many of which were orchestrated by the impressive Jamie Cousins who fitted in well on the left side of midfield.
It was his free kick on the half hour that also set up an excellent opportunity for fellow youngster ‘Bezza’ Barnett but he blazed high over the bar.
The second half continued to see the Eastenders in the ascendancy with ‘Wingco’ again passing up a good opportunity, while for all their at times tidy approach play, Pontefract offered little by way of direct threat on Rawls’ goal.
The deadlock was finally broken on 62mins when Barnett was fouled in the box and Luke Smith coolly tucked away the resulting penalty.
Both Smith and Dave Clubley then passed up presentable heading chances as Easington, getting the ball on the deck, began to carve open their visitors.
When Smith fired straight at the keeper, following a fine move involving Thurkettle, Fisk and Thompson, it appeared that one goal might have to be enough. But moments later, another flowing move involving the impressive Fisk, Clubley and Thompson again put Smith clear and this time he made it 2-0 with a sublime finish.
Darren Dawson then rifled home a 20-yard bullet to put the seal on a heartening afternoon’s work.
Afterwards, Clarke was full of praise for the effort shown and the quality of football played, particularly after the interval. He was also especially pleased with the attitude and commitment of the youngsters on show, which gives particular hope for the future.
Eastenders: C Rawlings, B Fisk, M Hooley, P Brown, A McNaught, S Campbell, D Thompson, D Dawson, Foster, L Smith, J Cousins;
SUBS: T McLaughlin (for Brown, 30), L Jeffery (for Fisk, 30), A Barnett (for Smith, 30), D Campbell for Hooley, 45), D Clubley (for Dawson, 45), M Thurkettle (for Thompson, 45), Smith (for Foster, 60), Foster (for McNaught, 75), Fisk (for Jeffery, 75), Brown (for S Campbell, 80), Thompson (for Barnett, 80)
Referee: D Sparke (Hull)
Att: 31