Post by slush on Aug 15, 2006 6:55:06 GMT
Impressive Eastenders step it up
GIVEN the loss of seven players in the days leading up to the game and the omission of Paul Wilkinson at kick-off, this was a very impressive showing by the Eastenders, albeit against a visiting side similarly hampered by absentees.
With Hunt, Potts, Senior & Musgrove (holiday), Milner (cricket), Nicholson (work) and Camara joining Chester, Neilson and Rutter on the injured list, manager Dave Mack included Mark Thurkettle in his thirteen man squad, alongside a long overdue return to Low Farm for Jon-Paul Johnson.
Lining up in a 3-1-3-1-2 formation in front of returning goalkeeper Kevin Appleyard, The Mack employed Craig Smalley in the holding role vacated by Potts, with Steve Harrod tucked in behind Phil Jackman and Gavin Thurkettle up front. And although the system may have been unfamiliar, the Eastenders soon took to it, causing the Leicester & District League champions problems from the start.
All three strikers went close inside the opening seven minutes and the initial breakthrough wasn’t long coming.
On 10mins, a throw-in on the right gave Jackman chance to put in an excellent cross from which Adam Metcalf volleyed home.
Although Easington continued to dominate, it was another 20 minutes before they added to their tally – but the goal was worth the wait; skipper Andy Graham taking the ball in his stride before hitting a superb shot that fairly fizzed into the top corner from fully 40 yards.
Another quality goal made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time; Danny Medforth’s pass putting Thurkettle through and the striker delightfully lobbed the advancing keeper from the edge of the box.
The second half started quietly with Desford – prompted by ex-Farm favourite Adam Verity – suggesting just the slightest hint of a comeback; that was until Craig Smalley killed matters with a crisp strike on 65mins, following neat interplay between Thurkettle and Walmsley.
Two goals in as many minutes then wrapped things up. On 70mins, Thurkettle’s driven corner was met by Ian Barrow’s powerful downward header; then the lively Jackman was on hand to atone for a succession of wasted opportunities by converting Medforth’s cross from close range.
An unfortunate Andy Graham ‘own goal’ did little to detract from a fine overall performance, the only downside being a worrying recurrence of Adam Metcalf’s chest problems midway through the second half.
Easington: K Appleyard, A Graham, JP Johnson, S Campbell, C Smalley, I Barrow, D Medforth, S Harrod, G Thurkettle, P Jackman, A Metcalf
SUBS: D Walmsley (for Smalley, 35), Smalley (for Walmsley, 46), Walmsley (for Harrod, 60), M Thurkettle (for Metcalf, 65), Harrod (for G Thurkettle, 75)
Referee: Mr. S Wade (Hull)
Att: 47
GIVEN the loss of seven players in the days leading up to the game and the omission of Paul Wilkinson at kick-off, this was a very impressive showing by the Eastenders, albeit against a visiting side similarly hampered by absentees.
With Hunt, Potts, Senior & Musgrove (holiday), Milner (cricket), Nicholson (work) and Camara joining Chester, Neilson and Rutter on the injured list, manager Dave Mack included Mark Thurkettle in his thirteen man squad, alongside a long overdue return to Low Farm for Jon-Paul Johnson.
Lining up in a 3-1-3-1-2 formation in front of returning goalkeeper Kevin Appleyard, The Mack employed Craig Smalley in the holding role vacated by Potts, with Steve Harrod tucked in behind Phil Jackman and Gavin Thurkettle up front. And although the system may have been unfamiliar, the Eastenders soon took to it, causing the Leicester & District League champions problems from the start.
All three strikers went close inside the opening seven minutes and the initial breakthrough wasn’t long coming.
On 10mins, a throw-in on the right gave Jackman chance to put in an excellent cross from which Adam Metcalf volleyed home.
Although Easington continued to dominate, it was another 20 minutes before they added to their tally – but the goal was worth the wait; skipper Andy Graham taking the ball in his stride before hitting a superb shot that fairly fizzed into the top corner from fully 40 yards.
Another quality goal made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time; Danny Medforth’s pass putting Thurkettle through and the striker delightfully lobbed the advancing keeper from the edge of the box.
The second half started quietly with Desford – prompted by ex-Farm favourite Adam Verity – suggesting just the slightest hint of a comeback; that was until Craig Smalley killed matters with a crisp strike on 65mins, following neat interplay between Thurkettle and Walmsley.
Two goals in as many minutes then wrapped things up. On 70mins, Thurkettle’s driven corner was met by Ian Barrow’s powerful downward header; then the lively Jackman was on hand to atone for a succession of wasted opportunities by converting Medforth’s cross from close range.
An unfortunate Andy Graham ‘own goal’ did little to detract from a fine overall performance, the only downside being a worrying recurrence of Adam Metcalf’s chest problems midway through the second half.
Easington: K Appleyard, A Graham, JP Johnson, S Campbell, C Smalley, I Barrow, D Medforth, S Harrod, G Thurkettle, P Jackman, A Metcalf
SUBS: D Walmsley (for Smalley, 35), Smalley (for Walmsley, 46), Walmsley (for Harrod, 60), M Thurkettle (for Metcalf, 65), Harrod (for G Thurkettle, 75)
Referee: Mr. S Wade (Hull)
Att: 47