Post by slush on Apr 9, 2008 11:24:45 GMT
Match Preview
HPL Premier Division
Reckitts v Eastenders
Wed 9th Apr - Police Ground - Kick-Off: 6.15pm
Look at the following Easington squad: Appleyard, Jeffery, Milner, Neilson, Graham, Batch, Cousins, Johnson, Nicholson, Thompson and Musgrove; (Subs): Smith, Lenham, Smalley, McLaughlin and Foster. I think you’ll agree that it is a decent looking line-up good enough to be capable of taking points off most teams in the Humber Premier League (and it doesn't include Senior!). The only problem is that, aside from goalkeeper Appleyard, none of the above is available for this evening’s visit to Reckitts! No wonder then that manager Mack has been pulling out what little hair he has left as he tries to formulate a team to take on the five-time HPL champions.
Jimmy Neilson, Craig Smalley and JP Johnson are the latest additions to the absent list. All three picked up injuries at LSS Lucarlys, with Neilson and Smalley now set to sit out the remainder of the season. The other absentee from Saturday’s 15-man squad is Jamie Cousins due to his participation in a schools cup final this evening.
Of the remaining ten named above five are sidelined by injury, Andy Graham is suspended, striker Darren Thompson is unavailable, new signing Craig Lenham and veteran defender Craig Foster are both working, Tom McLaughlin is also on schools action while Ollie Musgrove is under doctor’s orders to rest following recent illness.
Still, as the boss always says, such situations open up possibilities for others and after the likes of James Mee and James Robinson enjoyed a first taste of HPL football at the weekend, a couple more of the Club’s promising youngsters look like getting the chance tonight.
Adam Metcalf has been recalled to the First Team squad for the first time since a subs’ appearance in the 1-0 win at Beverley Town in January 2007, while Anthony Barnett is in line for his HPL debut. However, the major plus point in tonight’s squad is the return of Steve Harrod for the first time since joining NCEL side Bottesford Town last month.
Although their title chances have faded in recent weeks, following a goalless draw at Sculcoates and Saturday’s reverse against Smith & Nephew, Reckitts remain formidable opponents and the Eastenders will be hard-pressed to continue their fine recent record against Dave Start’s side at both their Inglemire Lane homes.
Its seven games since Reckitts last beat Easington on either of their own patches, with that coming on 19 April 2003 when Ryan Cairns’ solitary strike proved enough to clinch the title for a third time. Since then, the Eastenders completed four straight victories, three of which came in the 2003/04 season, with the last two league meetings at The Police Ground resulting in successive 2-2 draws. Mack would almost certainly settle for a hat-trick of these tonight.
Squad: K Appleyard, A Metcalf, S Campbell, D Potts, T Hunt, D Medforth, C Frost, N Rutter, S Harrod, J Mee, P Morrow, J Robinson, D Mackay-Dundas, A Barnett
HPL Premier Division
Reckitts v Eastenders
Wed 9th Apr - Police Ground - Kick-Off: 6.15pm
Look at the following Easington squad: Appleyard, Jeffery, Milner, Neilson, Graham, Batch, Cousins, Johnson, Nicholson, Thompson and Musgrove; (Subs): Smith, Lenham, Smalley, McLaughlin and Foster. I think you’ll agree that it is a decent looking line-up good enough to be capable of taking points off most teams in the Humber Premier League (and it doesn't include Senior!). The only problem is that, aside from goalkeeper Appleyard, none of the above is available for this evening’s visit to Reckitts! No wonder then that manager Mack has been pulling out what little hair he has left as he tries to formulate a team to take on the five-time HPL champions.
Jimmy Neilson, Craig Smalley and JP Johnson are the latest additions to the absent list. All three picked up injuries at LSS Lucarlys, with Neilson and Smalley now set to sit out the remainder of the season. The other absentee from Saturday’s 15-man squad is Jamie Cousins due to his participation in a schools cup final this evening.
Of the remaining ten named above five are sidelined by injury, Andy Graham is suspended, striker Darren Thompson is unavailable, new signing Craig Lenham and veteran defender Craig Foster are both working, Tom McLaughlin is also on schools action while Ollie Musgrove is under doctor’s orders to rest following recent illness.
Still, as the boss always says, such situations open up possibilities for others and after the likes of James Mee and James Robinson enjoyed a first taste of HPL football at the weekend, a couple more of the Club’s promising youngsters look like getting the chance tonight.
Adam Metcalf has been recalled to the First Team squad for the first time since a subs’ appearance in the 1-0 win at Beverley Town in January 2007, while Anthony Barnett is in line for his HPL debut. However, the major plus point in tonight’s squad is the return of Steve Harrod for the first time since joining NCEL side Bottesford Town last month.
Although their title chances have faded in recent weeks, following a goalless draw at Sculcoates and Saturday’s reverse against Smith & Nephew, Reckitts remain formidable opponents and the Eastenders will be hard-pressed to continue their fine recent record against Dave Start’s side at both their Inglemire Lane homes.
Its seven games since Reckitts last beat Easington on either of their own patches, with that coming on 19 April 2003 when Ryan Cairns’ solitary strike proved enough to clinch the title for a third time. Since then, the Eastenders completed four straight victories, three of which came in the 2003/04 season, with the last two league meetings at The Police Ground resulting in successive 2-2 draws. Mack would almost certainly settle for a hat-trick of these tonight.
Squad: K Appleyard, A Metcalf, S Campbell, D Potts, T Hunt, D Medforth, C Frost, N Rutter, S Harrod, J Mee, P Morrow, J Robinson, D Mackay-Dundas, A Barnett