Post by slush on Dec 6, 2006 13:03:14 GMT
Clarke slams “abysmal” Stiffs
Easington Utd Reserves 3 – 5 FC Ridings
John Clarke must be wishing his forthcoming trip “down under” had come a bit earlier given that his side became the first to concede defeat to FC Ridings this season.
Not only that, they went down with barely a whimper. “Abysmal” was the manager’s post-match verdict. “They took one look at the league table, thought this is going to be easy and got beat by a side who wanted it more.”
Even without the absent Adam Metcalf, Ricky Biglin, Adam Swaby and Luke Jeffery, this was a Stiffs squad capable of inflicting more misery on the beleaguered Ridings who only just managed to turn out enough players to fulfil the fixture.
Stu Campbell and Mark Richardson were included in a strong-looking five-man midfield, while ‘Bezza’ Barnett and Brett Fisk gained bench spots in the squad following recent strong showings with the Casuals.
At a bright but bitterly cold Low Farm, the Stiffs were given the perfect start of a Pasha Brown goal after just 2mins – courtesy of a scuffed left foot shot – and appeared on course to romp to their fourth league win of the season.
This lead should have been trebled inside the first 20 minutes; both Darren Thompson and Stu Campbell firing off-target when put clean through on goal.
Then, midway through the half, the game was suddenly turned on its head. Ex-East Ender Mike Baker, enjoying a productive day in midfield against his former club, seized on a mistake by Cousins and struck a superb shot to level matters before Ridings were gifted a second moments later by a rare lapse from Foster.
With the half-time words of their boss still stinging the ears, the Stiffs proceeded to make the worst possible start to the second period – the sun affecting Steve Eldon’s judgement and allowing Ridings to increase their lead.
The conditions played their part again in the next two goals for the visitors, which effectively ended the game as a contest and, although Barnett got the last touch at a scramble to make it 2-5 and Stu Campbell’s turn and shot reduced arrears further, the locals were consigned to their worst result of the campaign thus far.
In a performance of few pluses, Clarke singled out captain Danny Campbell as “best of a bad bunch”.
Easington: S Eldon, A McNaught, D Campbell, P Brown, C Foster, S Campbell, T McLaughlin, M Richardson, L Smith (A Barnett), D Thompson (B Fisk), J Cousins
Easington Utd Reserves 3 – 5 FC Ridings
John Clarke must be wishing his forthcoming trip “down under” had come a bit earlier given that his side became the first to concede defeat to FC Ridings this season.
Not only that, they went down with barely a whimper. “Abysmal” was the manager’s post-match verdict. “They took one look at the league table, thought this is going to be easy and got beat by a side who wanted it more.”
Even without the absent Adam Metcalf, Ricky Biglin, Adam Swaby and Luke Jeffery, this was a Stiffs squad capable of inflicting more misery on the beleaguered Ridings who only just managed to turn out enough players to fulfil the fixture.
Stu Campbell and Mark Richardson were included in a strong-looking five-man midfield, while ‘Bezza’ Barnett and Brett Fisk gained bench spots in the squad following recent strong showings with the Casuals.
At a bright but bitterly cold Low Farm, the Stiffs were given the perfect start of a Pasha Brown goal after just 2mins – courtesy of a scuffed left foot shot – and appeared on course to romp to their fourth league win of the season.
This lead should have been trebled inside the first 20 minutes; both Darren Thompson and Stu Campbell firing off-target when put clean through on goal.
Then, midway through the half, the game was suddenly turned on its head. Ex-East Ender Mike Baker, enjoying a productive day in midfield against his former club, seized on a mistake by Cousins and struck a superb shot to level matters before Ridings were gifted a second moments later by a rare lapse from Foster.
With the half-time words of their boss still stinging the ears, the Stiffs proceeded to make the worst possible start to the second period – the sun affecting Steve Eldon’s judgement and allowing Ridings to increase their lead.
The conditions played their part again in the next two goals for the visitors, which effectively ended the game as a contest and, although Barnett got the last touch at a scramble to make it 2-5 and Stu Campbell’s turn and shot reduced arrears further, the locals were consigned to their worst result of the campaign thus far.
In a performance of few pluses, Clarke singled out captain Danny Campbell as “best of a bad bunch”.
Easington: S Eldon, A McNaught, D Campbell, P Brown, C Foster, S Campbell, T McLaughlin, M Richardson, L Smith (A Barnett), D Thompson (B Fisk), J Cousins