Post by slush on Sept 12, 2006 11:22:12 GMT
Reserves “run out of steam”
Boothferry Rangers 2 – 0 Easington Utd Reserves
TWO second half goals (the second from ex-Easington lad Chris Frost) consigned the Reserves to defeat at Boothferry Rangers in the County League opener on Saturday.
However, just as with the two teams’ meeting at Kirk Ella in Division 1 last year, the result may well have been different had a couple of good opportunities gone Easington’s way at crucial times.
A combination of first team call-ups, communication breakdowns and late withdrawals meant that from a provisional 20-man squad, the Stiffs travelled to Hull with just two subs.
Youngsters Luke Jeffery and Anthony Barnett were rewarded for an encouraging pre-season with their debuts at this level, while Tom McLaughlin joined Luke Smith on the bench.
There was a welcome return to County League action for Ricky Biglin, while Craig Foster began his post-HPL career at the heart of the back four.
The Eastenders started brightly and could well have led at the break. Pasha Brown was denied by the woodwork, while on another excellent opening ‘Bezza’ Barnett delayed just a fraction too long and allowed the goalkeeper to make the block.
As the game became gradually more stretched, it was apparent that the first goal would be crucial. Unfortunately it came Boothferry’s way.
Easington could have levelled matters when Jamie Cousins broke clear down the left but failed to find intended target Smith when he should perhaps have gone for goal.
On a huge pitch and warm afternoon, with several players struggling for fitness, Hooley handicapped by injury and Dawson carrying the after-effects of illness, the locals’ fluent passing game of the first 45 minutes began to wane and the hosts looked increasingly like scoring the killer second.
And after Rawlings had denied them with a string of fine saves, they did just that courtesy of a quality finish from sub Frost.
Afterwards, manager Clarke remained upbeat. He singled out youngsters Jeffery and Barnett for special praise in what he termed an “excellent team display – until we ran out of steam!”
He added that Biglin and Foster both provided the sort of quality lacking towards the end of last season, while Rawlings’ form offered much encouragement for the campaign ahead.
However, Clarke also acknowledged the following point when put to him afterwards: perhaps it may not have been the locals whose “bolts were shot” in the later stages had more effort been made over the past two months to attend training?!
This division was always going to be a step-up in class from that experienced in recent seasons and there are even tougher tests to follow, beginning at Ashes Park, Howden this weekend.
Easington: C Rawlings, L Jeffery, M Hooley, P Brown, C Foster, D Campbell, D Dawson (T McLaughlin), R Biglin, A Barnett, D Thompson (L Smith), J Cousins
Boothferry Rangers 2 – 0 Easington Utd Reserves
TWO second half goals (the second from ex-Easington lad Chris Frost) consigned the Reserves to defeat at Boothferry Rangers in the County League opener on Saturday.
However, just as with the two teams’ meeting at Kirk Ella in Division 1 last year, the result may well have been different had a couple of good opportunities gone Easington’s way at crucial times.
A combination of first team call-ups, communication breakdowns and late withdrawals meant that from a provisional 20-man squad, the Stiffs travelled to Hull with just two subs.
Youngsters Luke Jeffery and Anthony Barnett were rewarded for an encouraging pre-season with their debuts at this level, while Tom McLaughlin joined Luke Smith on the bench.
There was a welcome return to County League action for Ricky Biglin, while Craig Foster began his post-HPL career at the heart of the back four.
The Eastenders started brightly and could well have led at the break. Pasha Brown was denied by the woodwork, while on another excellent opening ‘Bezza’ Barnett delayed just a fraction too long and allowed the goalkeeper to make the block.
As the game became gradually more stretched, it was apparent that the first goal would be crucial. Unfortunately it came Boothferry’s way.
Easington could have levelled matters when Jamie Cousins broke clear down the left but failed to find intended target Smith when he should perhaps have gone for goal.
On a huge pitch and warm afternoon, with several players struggling for fitness, Hooley handicapped by injury and Dawson carrying the after-effects of illness, the locals’ fluent passing game of the first 45 minutes began to wane and the hosts looked increasingly like scoring the killer second.
And after Rawlings had denied them with a string of fine saves, they did just that courtesy of a quality finish from sub Frost.
Afterwards, manager Clarke remained upbeat. He singled out youngsters Jeffery and Barnett for special praise in what he termed an “excellent team display – until we ran out of steam!”
He added that Biglin and Foster both provided the sort of quality lacking towards the end of last season, while Rawlings’ form offered much encouragement for the campaign ahead.
However, Clarke also acknowledged the following point when put to him afterwards: perhaps it may not have been the locals whose “bolts were shot” in the later stages had more effort been made over the past two months to attend training?!
This division was always going to be a step-up in class from that experienced in recent seasons and there are even tougher tests to follow, beginning at Ashes Park, Howden this weekend.
Easington: C Rawlings, L Jeffery, M Hooley, P Brown, C Foster, D Campbell, D Dawson (T McLaughlin), R Biglin, A Barnett, D Thompson (L Smith), J Cousins