Post by slush on Oct 11, 2006 6:21:22 GMT
Hit for six as Reckitts repeat success
Easington United 1 – 6 Reckitts AFC
THERE have been better times to be an Easington supporter! A third successive defeat and the worst home performance since Reckitts inflicted a similar reverse on them last December is somewhat at odds with the sort of expectations built up by what had been a solid start to the season.
On the last occasion Reckitts completed such a comfortable win, the Eastenders bounced back by winning at Sculcoates Amateurs – something that will be required again this time round.
To do so, every member of Dave Mack’s squad must stand up and be counted. Dave Start’s side didn’t need to get out of first gear to brush aside an Easington outfit unrecognisable from that which had been a shade unlucky to lose at Pocklington.
There were contentious moments. Rich Harrison was allowed to stay on the pitch when his goal-line handball threw Easington a lifeline from the penalty spot – and then went on to head home the ‘killer’ third goal shortly after; and Luke Power’s theatrical dive in the box at the other end should – by the player’s own admission – have been punished, rather than rewarded by the penalty from which Gareth Barstow made it 5-1.
These instances apart, however, Easington got what they deserved. Nothing.
After both sides had observed a minute’s silence to mark Tony Hunt’s family bereavement earlier in the week, Easington opened up into the stiff downfield breeze with Chris Walmsley donning the gloves for the first time at this level since the 2004 Grays Cup Final but the side otherwise unchanged from that which had lost at Pock.
Gavin Thurkettle and Ian Barrow both returned to the squad via the bench but there was no Phil Jackman, the ex-Westella man having joined Bottesford Town in midweek.
Reckitts have also had goalkeeping troubles of their own and Warren McMillan took his place ‘tween the sticks having kept a clean sheet against Westella seven days earlier.
And for 45 minutes it appeared he wouldn’t be hard-pressed to make it two in two; Easington’s only efforts being a Stu Campbell free-kick that hit the defensive wall and Steve Harrod’s shot over the bar.
At the other end, Reckitts overcame the loss of Dave Botham after barely ten minutes to cause moments of alarm in the Eastenders’ box.
Both Barstow and Adam Crane were wayward with efforts before Walmsley was forced to move smartly to deny Tom Fleming on 25mins.
Two minutes later, Reckitts broke the deadlock; Smalley’s attempted headed clearance dropping nicely at the feet of Chris Clinton who volleyed home from 25 yards.
Suitably encouraged Reckitts threatened a second, the influential Kirk Blake forcing Walmsley to palm over the top and Crane volleyed the resulting corner wide.
The second goal came on 31mins; Milner and Graham failing to clear the danger and Fleming seizing on the loose ball to hammer past Walmsley from distance. And things could have been even worse had sub Mark Baker not headed narrowly over five minutes before the break.
A better start to the second half saw Harrod win a penalty on 47mins, his pull back being handled by Harrison on the line. Referee Wade deemed the offence worthy of only a yellow card but Graham slotted home the penalty to give hope to Low Farm’s biggest crowd of the season.
It lasted barely ten minutes. Walmsley produced one stunning save and Graham a fine goal-line clearance to keep Easington in the hunt before the aforementioned Harrison rubbed salt into the perceived wound by glancing home Clinton’s deflected cross on 61mins.
Eleven minutes later Crane was allowed a free header from a corner and Easington fell apart.
Two further goals inside the last three minutes – the controversial Barstow spot kick and Power’s last minute strike – consigned Easington to their first home defeat of the season.
Easington: C Walmsley, C Smalley, S Campbell, D Potts, K Milner, A Graham, M Nicholson, J Batch (C Senior 78), D Walmsley (G Thurkettle, 74), S Harrod, O Musgrove (I Barrow, 63)
Reckitts: W McMillan, P Morfit, P Goldie, S Lapping, R Harrison, G Barstow, C Clinton, K Blake, D Botham (M Baker, 11) (M Dean, 85), T Fleming, A Crane (L Power, 75) (Sub not used: K Botham)
Referee: Mr. S Wade (Hull)
Att: 76
Easington United 1 – 6 Reckitts AFC
THERE have been better times to be an Easington supporter! A third successive defeat and the worst home performance since Reckitts inflicted a similar reverse on them last December is somewhat at odds with the sort of expectations built up by what had been a solid start to the season.
On the last occasion Reckitts completed such a comfortable win, the Eastenders bounced back by winning at Sculcoates Amateurs – something that will be required again this time round.
To do so, every member of Dave Mack’s squad must stand up and be counted. Dave Start’s side didn’t need to get out of first gear to brush aside an Easington outfit unrecognisable from that which had been a shade unlucky to lose at Pocklington.
There were contentious moments. Rich Harrison was allowed to stay on the pitch when his goal-line handball threw Easington a lifeline from the penalty spot – and then went on to head home the ‘killer’ third goal shortly after; and Luke Power’s theatrical dive in the box at the other end should – by the player’s own admission – have been punished, rather than rewarded by the penalty from which Gareth Barstow made it 5-1.
These instances apart, however, Easington got what they deserved. Nothing.
After both sides had observed a minute’s silence to mark Tony Hunt’s family bereavement earlier in the week, Easington opened up into the stiff downfield breeze with Chris Walmsley donning the gloves for the first time at this level since the 2004 Grays Cup Final but the side otherwise unchanged from that which had lost at Pock.
Gavin Thurkettle and Ian Barrow both returned to the squad via the bench but there was no Phil Jackman, the ex-Westella man having joined Bottesford Town in midweek.
Reckitts have also had goalkeeping troubles of their own and Warren McMillan took his place ‘tween the sticks having kept a clean sheet against Westella seven days earlier.
And for 45 minutes it appeared he wouldn’t be hard-pressed to make it two in two; Easington’s only efforts being a Stu Campbell free-kick that hit the defensive wall and Steve Harrod’s shot over the bar.
At the other end, Reckitts overcame the loss of Dave Botham after barely ten minutes to cause moments of alarm in the Eastenders’ box.
Both Barstow and Adam Crane were wayward with efforts before Walmsley was forced to move smartly to deny Tom Fleming on 25mins.
Two minutes later, Reckitts broke the deadlock; Smalley’s attempted headed clearance dropping nicely at the feet of Chris Clinton who volleyed home from 25 yards.
Suitably encouraged Reckitts threatened a second, the influential Kirk Blake forcing Walmsley to palm over the top and Crane volleyed the resulting corner wide.
The second goal came on 31mins; Milner and Graham failing to clear the danger and Fleming seizing on the loose ball to hammer past Walmsley from distance. And things could have been even worse had sub Mark Baker not headed narrowly over five minutes before the break.
A better start to the second half saw Harrod win a penalty on 47mins, his pull back being handled by Harrison on the line. Referee Wade deemed the offence worthy of only a yellow card but Graham slotted home the penalty to give hope to Low Farm’s biggest crowd of the season.
It lasted barely ten minutes. Walmsley produced one stunning save and Graham a fine goal-line clearance to keep Easington in the hunt before the aforementioned Harrison rubbed salt into the perceived wound by glancing home Clinton’s deflected cross on 61mins.
Eleven minutes later Crane was allowed a free header from a corner and Easington fell apart.
Two further goals inside the last three minutes – the controversial Barstow spot kick and Power’s last minute strike – consigned Easington to their first home defeat of the season.
Easington: C Walmsley, C Smalley, S Campbell, D Potts, K Milner, A Graham, M Nicholson, J Batch (C Senior 78), D Walmsley (G Thurkettle, 74), S Harrod, O Musgrove (I Barrow, 63)
Reckitts: W McMillan, P Morfit, P Goldie, S Lapping, R Harrison, G Barstow, C Clinton, K Blake, D Botham (M Baker, 11) (M Dean, 85), T Fleming, A Crane (L Power, 75) (Sub not used: K Botham)
Referee: Mr. S Wade (Hull)
Att: 76