Post by slush on Oct 31, 2006 7:18:08 GMT
Winning Eastenders turn the clock back
Hessle Rangers 0 – 4 Easington United
EASINGTON United’s players earned their extra hour lie-in last weekend, following their most complete performance of the season on Saturday afternoon.
Four goals of real quality – including two absolute belters – ensured a winning return to action at one of their traditional ‘bogey’ grounds.
Beforehand, general manager Lusmore asked the players for some “honesty” in performance as the best possible sign of support for Messrs. Mack and Walmsley; they responded by brightening up a typically murky autumn afternoon with some outstanding football.
Employing Walmsley as a lone striker, the five-man midfield of Musgrove, Campbell, Potts, Medforth and Barrow provided fantastic support.
John Batch’s reversion to the central defensive position in which he made his debut (ironically against Hessle) brought the best out of him, with skipper Graham, Milner and Smalley completing a solid defensive quartet; behind which Appleyard was assured on his return from suspension.
New signing Mark Richardson and Mike Nicholson (the fully fit half of the bench) both got involved in the action while “emergency only” duo Rutter and Mack enjoyed proceedings from the sidelines.
After a couple of early scares – a Luke Johnson header and a Liam Fish shot – Easington signalled their intent with Campbell’s surging run and deflected shot.
From the resulting corner, in a routine only highlighted minutes before kick-off, Batch’s flick from Walmsley’s delivery found the arriving Campbell whose header appeared to be clawed away by keeper Cockin from behind the line.
Then a fine move saw Medforth tee up Musgrove who curled a right foot shot wide of the near post.
The Eastenders continued to dominate without creating another clear chance until taking the lead on 33mins with one of the goals of the season.
A headed Rangers clearance dropped to the onrushing Smalley thirty yards out; without breaking stride the right back took it on his chest before unleashing a thumping volley that soared into the far top corner as the scorer disappeared to be mobbed by his team mates.
As if all recent frustration had been released, self-belief suddenly surged through the visitors.
Two minutes later, crisp passing and movement allowed Walmsley to feed Medforth who cleverly teed up Musgrove and the youngster’s assured finish made it 2-0.
Easington were now rampant and they hit their hosts with another superb goal on 41mins; Barrow’s cross-field pass picking out the arriving Milner 25yards out from goal; pulling the ball down, his stunning volley swerved and dipped inside Cockin’s top left corner.
It could have been even worse for the home side. Smalley drilled wide from another clever Walmsley lay-off and Campbell was denied by Cockin following more excellent approach play.
To their credit Rangers rallied somewhat after the interval but when Johnson passed up a glorious opportunity ten minutes in, their hopes of mounting a comeback went wide of the post with it; the impressive Batch and his fellow defenders were in no mood to concede a thing.
Medforth failed to apply the finish worthy of another fine move before making way for Richardson. Along with fellow sub Nicholson he ensured Easington remained in the ascendancy.
The ex-North Ferriby man soon showed what a useful acquisition he could be and was unlucky with one 25-yarder and a reaction header from Barrow’s pinged cross.
Cockin got down well to deny Milner and Nicholson flashed a shot just wide as Easington threatened to add to their tally.
At the other end Appleyard pulled off an excellent stop to deny sub Southern before Nicholson applied the perfect end to an encouraging afternoon, striking home left footed from the edge of the box after the visitors’ movement had again carved their hosts open.
Hessle: M Cockin, N Bloor, E Rafton (L Picken, 76), L Fish (L Southern, 46), G Wilson, D Wilkin, M Hoff, C Holmes, L Johnson, S Wilson, M Platten
Easington: K Appleyard, C Smalley, K Milner, D Potts, J Batch, A Graham, I Barrow, S Campbell (M Nicholson, 64), D Walmsley, D Medforth (M Richardson, 75), O Musgrove (subs not used: N Rutter, D Mackay-Dundas
Referee: Mr. C. Good
Att: 11
Hessle Rangers 0 – 4 Easington United
EASINGTON United’s players earned their extra hour lie-in last weekend, following their most complete performance of the season on Saturday afternoon.
Four goals of real quality – including two absolute belters – ensured a winning return to action at one of their traditional ‘bogey’ grounds.
Beforehand, general manager Lusmore asked the players for some “honesty” in performance as the best possible sign of support for Messrs. Mack and Walmsley; they responded by brightening up a typically murky autumn afternoon with some outstanding football.
Employing Walmsley as a lone striker, the five-man midfield of Musgrove, Campbell, Potts, Medforth and Barrow provided fantastic support.
John Batch’s reversion to the central defensive position in which he made his debut (ironically against Hessle) brought the best out of him, with skipper Graham, Milner and Smalley completing a solid defensive quartet; behind which Appleyard was assured on his return from suspension.
New signing Mark Richardson and Mike Nicholson (the fully fit half of the bench) both got involved in the action while “emergency only” duo Rutter and Mack enjoyed proceedings from the sidelines.
After a couple of early scares – a Luke Johnson header and a Liam Fish shot – Easington signalled their intent with Campbell’s surging run and deflected shot.
From the resulting corner, in a routine only highlighted minutes before kick-off, Batch’s flick from Walmsley’s delivery found the arriving Campbell whose header appeared to be clawed away by keeper Cockin from behind the line.
Then a fine move saw Medforth tee up Musgrove who curled a right foot shot wide of the near post.
The Eastenders continued to dominate without creating another clear chance until taking the lead on 33mins with one of the goals of the season.
A headed Rangers clearance dropped to the onrushing Smalley thirty yards out; without breaking stride the right back took it on his chest before unleashing a thumping volley that soared into the far top corner as the scorer disappeared to be mobbed by his team mates.
As if all recent frustration had been released, self-belief suddenly surged through the visitors.
Two minutes later, crisp passing and movement allowed Walmsley to feed Medforth who cleverly teed up Musgrove and the youngster’s assured finish made it 2-0.
Easington were now rampant and they hit their hosts with another superb goal on 41mins; Barrow’s cross-field pass picking out the arriving Milner 25yards out from goal; pulling the ball down, his stunning volley swerved and dipped inside Cockin’s top left corner.
It could have been even worse for the home side. Smalley drilled wide from another clever Walmsley lay-off and Campbell was denied by Cockin following more excellent approach play.
To their credit Rangers rallied somewhat after the interval but when Johnson passed up a glorious opportunity ten minutes in, their hopes of mounting a comeback went wide of the post with it; the impressive Batch and his fellow defenders were in no mood to concede a thing.
Medforth failed to apply the finish worthy of another fine move before making way for Richardson. Along with fellow sub Nicholson he ensured Easington remained in the ascendancy.
The ex-North Ferriby man soon showed what a useful acquisition he could be and was unlucky with one 25-yarder and a reaction header from Barrow’s pinged cross.
Cockin got down well to deny Milner and Nicholson flashed a shot just wide as Easington threatened to add to their tally.
At the other end Appleyard pulled off an excellent stop to deny sub Southern before Nicholson applied the perfect end to an encouraging afternoon, striking home left footed from the edge of the box after the visitors’ movement had again carved their hosts open.
Hessle: M Cockin, N Bloor, E Rafton (L Picken, 76), L Fish (L Southern, 46), G Wilson, D Wilkin, M Hoff, C Holmes, L Johnson, S Wilson, M Platten
Easington: K Appleyard, C Smalley, K Milner, D Potts, J Batch, A Graham, I Barrow, S Campbell (M Nicholson, 64), D Walmsley, D Medforth (M Richardson, 75), O Musgrove (subs not used: N Rutter, D Mackay-Dundas
Referee: Mr. C. Good
Att: 11