Post by slush on Apr 7, 2008 7:58:06 GMT
Mack’s mixed emotions at LSS loss
HPL Premier Division
LSS Lucarlys 3 - 1 Easington United
TWO late goals consigned the Eastenders to a second South Bank defeat in the space of a month and extended their current winless run of matches to five. However, although angered by aspects of the performance in Humberston, manager Dave Mack found plenty to console himself with in the overall display of his depleted side.
Having one eye on future developments within the Club and with an injury and unavailability list rendering the current Eastenders squad virtually unrecognisable from that which sat proudly atop the Humber Premier League for the first two months of the season, Mack has increasingly gone for youth in recent weeks – a move that may well pay off given the initial signs.
Jamie Cousins, Luke Jeffery, Ollie Musgrove, Chris Frost and Paul Morrow have already established themselves at this level, with Luke Smith and Tom McLaughlin also enjoying earlier runs in the squad. On Saturday, Mack introduced two more youngsters. Seventeen-year-old James Robinson gained a place on the bench, while James Mee (16) gained an unexpected start due to the road accident which prevented the aforementioned Frost from arriving at the game on time.
And the former Hessle Sporting junior took his chance to attract most of the most post-match plaudits. Employed as lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation, he showed great strength, awareness and no little character against a well-drilled LSS defence.
With the extra man in midfield, Easington enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half although they had to wait until five minutes before the break for their first shot on target – goalkeeper Martin Blanchard dealing comfortably with Mee’s effort.
But while the visitors’ measured approached often floundered on a difficult surface, the home side’s more direct counter attacks started to pay dividends. And in the space of four first half minutes LSS thrice went close to breaking the deadlock. On 23mins the dangerous Murray Sangster turned well in the box but fired over; two minutes later the same player broke down the right and crossed for Lee Allerton to hook too high and immediately afterwards Sangster seized on a Danny Medforth error but this time dragged his shot wide of the post.
Medforth wasn’t the only member of the Eastenders defence to escape punishment for an error of judgment; Stu Campbell almost paid the price when trying to shepherd the ball out of play near the byline only to be saved when Allerton completely air-kicked from six yards out after Sangster had dispossessed the left back.
Fittingly Sangster had the last say of the first period, another quick break by LSS freeing him up but his deft chip again cleared Kev Appleyard’s crossbar.
Easington started the second period in a positive frame of mind and immediately put their opponents under pressure. But Cousins’ rather snatched far post effort was the best they could muster and on 52mins LSS broke away to score. Again Sangster breached the visitors’ rather suspect offside trap before squaring the ball for Henry Lawless to convert from eight yards.
Easington were level within a minute; JP Johnson latching on to Campbell’s ball in where it hurts and picking up a nice swipe from the keeper for his troubles. Referee Andrews had no hesitation in pointing to the spot from where Medforth sent Blanchard the wrong way.
The visitors now looked the likelier winners and on 53mins they should have gone ahead. A great passing move down the left, involving the impressive trio of Rutter, Morrow and Mee finished with Cousins blazing wastefully over the bar from barely six yards out.
Shortly afterwards Jimmy Neilson’s troublesome knee injury flared up to force his replacement by Craig Smalley, back after five weeks out with similar problems. He in turn lasted just ten minutes and one meaningful touch before a sharp turn signalled the end of his participation, not just in this game but one would suspect the season.
In the meantime Easington again went close to scoring – Campbell rising at the far post to head against it from Morrow’s corner and the industrious Dan Potts curling the ball just wide from 20 yards.
Smalley’s withdrawal led to Robinson’s introduction and Mack also replaced the tiring Mee with Frost. But after one purposeful run into the box from the debutant had yielded nothing, it was LSS who went closest next, Medforth having to hack off the line following a dangerous ball into the box.
Five minutes from time LSS won it. Campbell was again caught out near the byline, Sangster’s shot was parried by Appleyard but Phil Jones was on hand to slot home the rebound.
Back came Easington and only a fine diving stop from Blanchard denied Medforth an 88th minute equaliser. From the resulting corner, the ball cannoned off Robinson and agonisingly wide of the post with the youngster knowing little about it.
Into injury time and as another attack broke down, Appleyard’s complete hash of a routine clearance gifted substitute Simmy Cooke a goal to complete a somewhat flattering 3-1 scoreline.
LSS: M Blanchard, J Simmons, P Masterton, M Taylor, J Lamming, J Wiseman (P Hutchinson, 73), T Wright (S Cooke, 60), L Allerton, M Sangster, P Jones (T Watson, 87), H Lawless
Easington: K Appleyard, D Medforth, S Campbell, N Rutter, T Hunt, J Neilson (C Smalley, 63) (J Robinson, 73), J Cousins, D Potts, J Mee (C Frost, 73), JP Johnson, P Morrow (sub not used: D Mackay-Dundas)
Referee: Mr. P. Andrews (Hull)
Assts: Mr. C. S. Barker (Hull) / Ms. S. Smith (Hull)
Att: 17
HPL Premier Division
LSS Lucarlys 3 - 1 Easington United
TWO late goals consigned the Eastenders to a second South Bank defeat in the space of a month and extended their current winless run of matches to five. However, although angered by aspects of the performance in Humberston, manager Dave Mack found plenty to console himself with in the overall display of his depleted side.
Having one eye on future developments within the Club and with an injury and unavailability list rendering the current Eastenders squad virtually unrecognisable from that which sat proudly atop the Humber Premier League for the first two months of the season, Mack has increasingly gone for youth in recent weeks – a move that may well pay off given the initial signs.
Jamie Cousins, Luke Jeffery, Ollie Musgrove, Chris Frost and Paul Morrow have already established themselves at this level, with Luke Smith and Tom McLaughlin also enjoying earlier runs in the squad. On Saturday, Mack introduced two more youngsters. Seventeen-year-old James Robinson gained a place on the bench, while James Mee (16) gained an unexpected start due to the road accident which prevented the aforementioned Frost from arriving at the game on time.
And the former Hessle Sporting junior took his chance to attract most of the most post-match plaudits. Employed as lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation, he showed great strength, awareness and no little character against a well-drilled LSS defence.
With the extra man in midfield, Easington enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half although they had to wait until five minutes before the break for their first shot on target – goalkeeper Martin Blanchard dealing comfortably with Mee’s effort.
But while the visitors’ measured approached often floundered on a difficult surface, the home side’s more direct counter attacks started to pay dividends. And in the space of four first half minutes LSS thrice went close to breaking the deadlock. On 23mins the dangerous Murray Sangster turned well in the box but fired over; two minutes later the same player broke down the right and crossed for Lee Allerton to hook too high and immediately afterwards Sangster seized on a Danny Medforth error but this time dragged his shot wide of the post.
Medforth wasn’t the only member of the Eastenders defence to escape punishment for an error of judgment; Stu Campbell almost paid the price when trying to shepherd the ball out of play near the byline only to be saved when Allerton completely air-kicked from six yards out after Sangster had dispossessed the left back.
Fittingly Sangster had the last say of the first period, another quick break by LSS freeing him up but his deft chip again cleared Kev Appleyard’s crossbar.
Easington started the second period in a positive frame of mind and immediately put their opponents under pressure. But Cousins’ rather snatched far post effort was the best they could muster and on 52mins LSS broke away to score. Again Sangster breached the visitors’ rather suspect offside trap before squaring the ball for Henry Lawless to convert from eight yards.
Easington were level within a minute; JP Johnson latching on to Campbell’s ball in where it hurts and picking up a nice swipe from the keeper for his troubles. Referee Andrews had no hesitation in pointing to the spot from where Medforth sent Blanchard the wrong way.
The visitors now looked the likelier winners and on 53mins they should have gone ahead. A great passing move down the left, involving the impressive trio of Rutter, Morrow and Mee finished with Cousins blazing wastefully over the bar from barely six yards out.
Shortly afterwards Jimmy Neilson’s troublesome knee injury flared up to force his replacement by Craig Smalley, back after five weeks out with similar problems. He in turn lasted just ten minutes and one meaningful touch before a sharp turn signalled the end of his participation, not just in this game but one would suspect the season.
In the meantime Easington again went close to scoring – Campbell rising at the far post to head against it from Morrow’s corner and the industrious Dan Potts curling the ball just wide from 20 yards.
Smalley’s withdrawal led to Robinson’s introduction and Mack also replaced the tiring Mee with Frost. But after one purposeful run into the box from the debutant had yielded nothing, it was LSS who went closest next, Medforth having to hack off the line following a dangerous ball into the box.
Five minutes from time LSS won it. Campbell was again caught out near the byline, Sangster’s shot was parried by Appleyard but Phil Jones was on hand to slot home the rebound.
Back came Easington and only a fine diving stop from Blanchard denied Medforth an 88th minute equaliser. From the resulting corner, the ball cannoned off Robinson and agonisingly wide of the post with the youngster knowing little about it.
Into injury time and as another attack broke down, Appleyard’s complete hash of a routine clearance gifted substitute Simmy Cooke a goal to complete a somewhat flattering 3-1 scoreline.
LSS: M Blanchard, J Simmons, P Masterton, M Taylor, J Lamming, J Wiseman (P Hutchinson, 73), T Wright (S Cooke, 60), L Allerton, M Sangster, P Jones (T Watson, 87), H Lawless
Easington: K Appleyard, D Medforth, S Campbell, N Rutter, T Hunt, J Neilson (C Smalley, 63) (J Robinson, 73), J Cousins, D Potts, J Mee (C Frost, 73), JP Johnson, P Morrow (sub not used: D Mackay-Dundas)
Referee: Mr. P. Andrews (Hull)
Assts: Mr. C. S. Barker (Hull) / Ms. S. Smith (Hull)
Att: 17