Post by slush on Aug 15, 2006 6:57:42 GMT
Wingers take centre stage in final rehearsal
EASINGTON United wrapped up their pre-season schedule with a win at HPL Division 1 side Long Riston that was far more convincing than the scoreline suggests. But for what manager Dave Mack termed “a poor conversion rate”, the Eastenders would have been celebrating a more emphatic victory than that achieved against Desford last time out.
In total Easington created ten good scoring opportunities before the break and another eight afterwards – converting just the three of them. Their hosts, on the other hand, had just three shots on target in the whole ninety minutes!
With Campbell and Johnson missing from the side that beat Desford and goalkeeper Appleyard hampered by a knock picked up in training the night before, Mackay-Dundas welcomed back Rawlings, Milner, Nicholson and Camara to a 14-man squad; included in which was also young Jamie Cousins who was rewarded for a string of impressive pre-season performances with the Stiffs.
On a fine but blustery evening at Riston’s impressively re-vamped Main Street ground, the Eastenders returned to 4-4-2 with Milner playing in an unaccustomed central defensive role, Metcalf (recovered from the problems that forced his retirement at the weekend) at left back, Camara and Medforth given the job in the “engine room” and Jackman and Thurkettle reunited up top.
After a fairly steady opening, in which Ian Barrow saw a header blocked and Thurkettle blazed high and wide, the first of Easington’s golden opportunities came on 15mins; Barrow’s surging run to the byeline and pull back presenting Mike Nicholson with the opening but he lifted his shot harmlessly over the bar.
Four minutes later, Thurkettle began and should have rounded off a superb move involving Barrow and Jackman, only for the keeper to deny him at close range.
The pace of both Barrow and Nicholson down the flanks caused the home side problems all night and when Camara put him away again on 20mins, the former again set up his wing partner whose shot this time deflected harmlessly into the keeper’s hands.
Five minutes later skipper Andy Graham headed over at a corner and when Nicholson fired a 20-yard effort narrowly over the top, you could sense the frustration among the visiting entourage.
More so on the half-hour when Jackman fired wide from an acute angle with bodies lined up in the box and then Nicholson was again wide after sub Steve Harrod had cleverly played him in.
Finally, on 33mins the goal came with Nicholson turning provider; his corner being cleared only as far as Barrow who drilled home to maintain his goal a game record in pre-season.
Having strove so hard for the lead, Easington now allowed their opponents to turn things around with two goals in and action-packed three minutes.
The first came a minute after Bazza’s goal, courtesy of a delightful volleyed finish (though only after the Eastenders had been guilty of woeful picking-up at the back).
Jackman should then have restored the lead when latching onto Appleyard’s clearance but blasted high over the bar and, almost immediately, the hosts went ahead in comical fashion – Appleyard racing out of his box to meet Graham’s header but left stranded as a forward nipped in to score.
On the stroke of half-time, “the gangly Gambian” Camara looked certain to claim his first goal in Easington colours but shot straight at the keeper after having linked well with Harrod.
Ten minutes into the second half Riston should have sealed matters when a throw into the Eastenders box wasn’t dealt but a homester could only head over at the far post when it appeared easier to score.
Back came Easington and having seen the referee wave away one strong shout for a penalty, for handball, they earned the next on 62mins when Thurkettle was fouled. Unfortunately, skipper Andy Graham sent his kick into orbit.
Thankfully, the locals finally levelled on 65mins. Young sub Jamie Cousins proved instrumental in the goal, linking up with Medforth before playing in Nicholson who this time made no mistake.
Nicholson then looked certain to make it 3-2 when seizing on a poor back pass. He didn’t. Barrow stabbed the resulting corner wide.
Eight minutes from time, Graham picked out the advancing Camara but his shot was brilliantly turned away for another corner, from which Cousins set up Harrod but again the keeper beat the shot out.
With four minutes left, another Barrow burst created a glorious chance for Thurkettle who blazed over from six yards out. That appeared to be that.
Not so; Camara dinked a lovely ball over the back four for Barrow to run onto and the winger bagged his second of the game to claim a deserved victory.
Easington: K Appleyard, C Smalley, A Metcalf, O Camara, K Milner, A Graham, I Barrow, D Medforth, G Thurkettle, P Jackman, M Nicholson
SUBS: S Harrod (for G Thurkettle, 30) C Rawlings (for Appleyard, 37), J Cousins (for Camara, 60), Thurkettle (for Jackman, 60), Camara (for Medforth, 75)
Referee: Mr. G Stead (Hornsea)
Att: 16
EASINGTON United wrapped up their pre-season schedule with a win at HPL Division 1 side Long Riston that was far more convincing than the scoreline suggests. But for what manager Dave Mack termed “a poor conversion rate”, the Eastenders would have been celebrating a more emphatic victory than that achieved against Desford last time out.
In total Easington created ten good scoring opportunities before the break and another eight afterwards – converting just the three of them. Their hosts, on the other hand, had just three shots on target in the whole ninety minutes!
With Campbell and Johnson missing from the side that beat Desford and goalkeeper Appleyard hampered by a knock picked up in training the night before, Mackay-Dundas welcomed back Rawlings, Milner, Nicholson and Camara to a 14-man squad; included in which was also young Jamie Cousins who was rewarded for a string of impressive pre-season performances with the Stiffs.
On a fine but blustery evening at Riston’s impressively re-vamped Main Street ground, the Eastenders returned to 4-4-2 with Milner playing in an unaccustomed central defensive role, Metcalf (recovered from the problems that forced his retirement at the weekend) at left back, Camara and Medforth given the job in the “engine room” and Jackman and Thurkettle reunited up top.
After a fairly steady opening, in which Ian Barrow saw a header blocked and Thurkettle blazed high and wide, the first of Easington’s golden opportunities came on 15mins; Barrow’s surging run to the byeline and pull back presenting Mike Nicholson with the opening but he lifted his shot harmlessly over the bar.
Four minutes later, Thurkettle began and should have rounded off a superb move involving Barrow and Jackman, only for the keeper to deny him at close range.
The pace of both Barrow and Nicholson down the flanks caused the home side problems all night and when Camara put him away again on 20mins, the former again set up his wing partner whose shot this time deflected harmlessly into the keeper’s hands.
Five minutes later skipper Andy Graham headed over at a corner and when Nicholson fired a 20-yard effort narrowly over the top, you could sense the frustration among the visiting entourage.
More so on the half-hour when Jackman fired wide from an acute angle with bodies lined up in the box and then Nicholson was again wide after sub Steve Harrod had cleverly played him in.
Finally, on 33mins the goal came with Nicholson turning provider; his corner being cleared only as far as Barrow who drilled home to maintain his goal a game record in pre-season.
Having strove so hard for the lead, Easington now allowed their opponents to turn things around with two goals in and action-packed three minutes.
The first came a minute after Bazza’s goal, courtesy of a delightful volleyed finish (though only after the Eastenders had been guilty of woeful picking-up at the back).
Jackman should then have restored the lead when latching onto Appleyard’s clearance but blasted high over the bar and, almost immediately, the hosts went ahead in comical fashion – Appleyard racing out of his box to meet Graham’s header but left stranded as a forward nipped in to score.
On the stroke of half-time, “the gangly Gambian” Camara looked certain to claim his first goal in Easington colours but shot straight at the keeper after having linked well with Harrod.
Ten minutes into the second half Riston should have sealed matters when a throw into the Eastenders box wasn’t dealt but a homester could only head over at the far post when it appeared easier to score.
Back came Easington and having seen the referee wave away one strong shout for a penalty, for handball, they earned the next on 62mins when Thurkettle was fouled. Unfortunately, skipper Andy Graham sent his kick into orbit.
Thankfully, the locals finally levelled on 65mins. Young sub Jamie Cousins proved instrumental in the goal, linking up with Medforth before playing in Nicholson who this time made no mistake.
Nicholson then looked certain to make it 3-2 when seizing on a poor back pass. He didn’t. Barrow stabbed the resulting corner wide.
Eight minutes from time, Graham picked out the advancing Camara but his shot was brilliantly turned away for another corner, from which Cousins set up Harrod but again the keeper beat the shot out.
With four minutes left, another Barrow burst created a glorious chance for Thurkettle who blazed over from six yards out. That appeared to be that.
Not so; Camara dinked a lovely ball over the back four for Barrow to run onto and the winger bagged his second of the game to claim a deserved victory.
Easington: K Appleyard, C Smalley, A Metcalf, O Camara, K Milner, A Graham, I Barrow, D Medforth, G Thurkettle, P Jackman, M Nicholson
SUBS: S Harrod (for G Thurkettle, 30) C Rawlings (for Appleyard, 37), J Cousins (for Camara, 60), Thurkettle (for Jackman, 60), Camara (for Medforth, 75)
Referee: Mr. G Stead (Hornsea)
Att: 16