Post by slush on Apr 11, 2007 6:41:54 GMT
Casuals so close to toppling leaders
Easington Utd Casuals 2 – 3 Skirlaugh AFC
DESPITE fielding the barest of elevens, the Eastenders Casuals put up a stirring show against leaders Skirlaugh but eventually paid for a slow start.
Injuries and absences galore left manager Clubley thankful for the unexpected availability of Jodi Stow for the first time since December, as well as the welcome return of Matty Findley from injury and Glenn Ratcliffe from suspension.
Unfortunately for Stow, almost his first contribution was an over-hit back pass that gave the “missing” ‘Ebo’ no chance and put the visitors one up.
Soon after it was 0-2; courtesy of a break that stretched the Casuals’ defence and a visiting striker slipped the ball past Thurkettle.
With the wind not lending itself to structured football, Easington used it their advantage first half and their more direct approach penned the visitors back and rendered their offside trap redundant.
A succession of corners and free kicks in the final third followed, from one of which the locals reduced arrears. Dave Clubley’s short corner to Stow was whipped across to where Iain McNaught was on hand to head home.
Moments later Clubley should have levelled matters but could only shoot over the bar after Matty Purse had teed him up following fine work down the left.
Despite losing the wind advantage, the second half followed a similar pattern and again Easington conceded a ‘soft’ goal, two missed attempted clearances culminating a shot that ‘Ebo’ dived over; 1-3.
From then on in, the Casuals again put the leaders on the back foot.
Ratcliffe missed couple of decent chances, before beating the offside trap to slot past the keeper. Matty Purse should have done better when clean through and a late header was cleared off the line.
Despite the disappointment of defeat and lack of quality football, the Casuals’ display contained plenty of effort, determination and spirit. It’s something that now needs to be repeated when fellow high-fliers Howden Town come to Humbleton on Saturday.
Casuals: I Thurkettle, P Brown, T Biglin, M Findley, I McNaught, J Stow, G Ratcliffe, R Clubley, D Clubley, M Purse
Easington Utd Casuals 2 – 3 Skirlaugh AFC
DESPITE fielding the barest of elevens, the Eastenders Casuals put up a stirring show against leaders Skirlaugh but eventually paid for a slow start.
Injuries and absences galore left manager Clubley thankful for the unexpected availability of Jodi Stow for the first time since December, as well as the welcome return of Matty Findley from injury and Glenn Ratcliffe from suspension.
Unfortunately for Stow, almost his first contribution was an over-hit back pass that gave the “missing” ‘Ebo’ no chance and put the visitors one up.
Soon after it was 0-2; courtesy of a break that stretched the Casuals’ defence and a visiting striker slipped the ball past Thurkettle.
With the wind not lending itself to structured football, Easington used it their advantage first half and their more direct approach penned the visitors back and rendered their offside trap redundant.
A succession of corners and free kicks in the final third followed, from one of which the locals reduced arrears. Dave Clubley’s short corner to Stow was whipped across to where Iain McNaught was on hand to head home.
Moments later Clubley should have levelled matters but could only shoot over the bar after Matty Purse had teed him up following fine work down the left.
Despite losing the wind advantage, the second half followed a similar pattern and again Easington conceded a ‘soft’ goal, two missed attempted clearances culminating a shot that ‘Ebo’ dived over; 1-3.
From then on in, the Casuals again put the leaders on the back foot.
Ratcliffe missed couple of decent chances, before beating the offside trap to slot past the keeper. Matty Purse should have done better when clean through and a late header was cleared off the line.
Despite the disappointment of defeat and lack of quality football, the Casuals’ display contained plenty of effort, determination and spirit. It’s something that now needs to be repeated when fellow high-fliers Howden Town come to Humbleton on Saturday.
Casuals: I Thurkettle, P Brown, T Biglin, M Findley, I McNaught, J Stow, G Ratcliffe, R Clubley, D Clubley, M Purse