Post by slush on May 14, 2007 15:10:30 GMT
Nicholson eases Ezzie through
South Holderness Cup Round One
Easington United 3 – 0 Pat Stanley Utd Reserves
FOR the second time in this season’s South Holderness Cup, Dave Mack’s holders made hard work of progressing to the next stage, with a Mike Nicholson hat-trick eventually counting for a plucky Patrington Stanley side.
The Eastenders’ top scorer struck in the 44th, 50th and 63rd minutes to set up a home semi-final date against either Withernsea or Hedon Rangers Reserves.
Prior to the first goal, however, the hosts were made to sweat by opponents who grew in confidence as the half wore on.
With Craig Smalley and Ollie Musgrove missing from the previous round and both Kev Milner and Stu Campbell still absent, Mack included the returning Steve Harrod and himself in the squad and employed the 16-year-old full back pairing of Luke Jeffery and Paul Morrow, the latter making his first start for the senior squad.
Wary of the events the preceding evening, Easington started strongly enough and threatened to steamroll their opponents in the opening quarter but, after several chances had gone begging, frustration began to creep in. Things would have been worse had Kevin Appleyard not got just enough on Matty Newton’s shot to divert it wide after the youngster had sliced through the home rearguard in the visitors’ only attack of any note.
On the stroke of half-time, however, the breakthrough came. Darren Thompson showed pace and strength down the left before cutting the ball back to Nicholson who fired home inside Shane Stephenson’s near post.
Easington almost doubled their lead within a minute of the second half restart but Stephenson did well to keep out Nicholson’s shot while Rutter fired wide moments later.
Five minutes in it was 2-0; Appleyard’s long punt upfield being headed on by Thompson to Nicholson who caught the ball perfectly to send it crashing into the top corner.
The third goal came thirteen minutes later, Nicholson blasting home his 15th of the season in all competitions after Thompson’s initial effort had been blocked.
The hard-working Thompson was denied by another good stop from Stephenson later on as was Ian Barrow following more panic in the visitors defence. This incident led to a corner from which Andy Graham saw his shot blocked on the line, the centre back blazing the rebound high and wide.
Lack of discipline at the back almost allowed Stanley to snatch a worthy consolation near the end and manager Shaun McKinley can take a lot of heart from the way his side battled throughout. For the holders it’s a case of ‘job done’, however unconvincingly, and onto the semi-finals.
Easington: K Appleyard, L Jeffery, P Morrow, D Potts, J Batch, A Graham, I Barrow, M Nicholson, D Thompson, D Medforth (S Harrod, 51), N Rutter (D Walmsley, 64) (Sub not used: D Mackay-Dundas)
Referee: Mr. G. Wilkin
Att: 45
South Holderness Cup Round One
Easington United 3 – 0 Pat Stanley Utd Reserves
FOR the second time in this season’s South Holderness Cup, Dave Mack’s holders made hard work of progressing to the next stage, with a Mike Nicholson hat-trick eventually counting for a plucky Patrington Stanley side.
The Eastenders’ top scorer struck in the 44th, 50th and 63rd minutes to set up a home semi-final date against either Withernsea or Hedon Rangers Reserves.
Prior to the first goal, however, the hosts were made to sweat by opponents who grew in confidence as the half wore on.
With Craig Smalley and Ollie Musgrove missing from the previous round and both Kev Milner and Stu Campbell still absent, Mack included the returning Steve Harrod and himself in the squad and employed the 16-year-old full back pairing of Luke Jeffery and Paul Morrow, the latter making his first start for the senior squad.
Wary of the events the preceding evening, Easington started strongly enough and threatened to steamroll their opponents in the opening quarter but, after several chances had gone begging, frustration began to creep in. Things would have been worse had Kevin Appleyard not got just enough on Matty Newton’s shot to divert it wide after the youngster had sliced through the home rearguard in the visitors’ only attack of any note.
On the stroke of half-time, however, the breakthrough came. Darren Thompson showed pace and strength down the left before cutting the ball back to Nicholson who fired home inside Shane Stephenson’s near post.
Easington almost doubled their lead within a minute of the second half restart but Stephenson did well to keep out Nicholson’s shot while Rutter fired wide moments later.
Five minutes in it was 2-0; Appleyard’s long punt upfield being headed on by Thompson to Nicholson who caught the ball perfectly to send it crashing into the top corner.
The third goal came thirteen minutes later, Nicholson blasting home his 15th of the season in all competitions after Thompson’s initial effort had been blocked.
The hard-working Thompson was denied by another good stop from Stephenson later on as was Ian Barrow following more panic in the visitors defence. This incident led to a corner from which Andy Graham saw his shot blocked on the line, the centre back blazing the rebound high and wide.
Lack of discipline at the back almost allowed Stanley to snatch a worthy consolation near the end and manager Shaun McKinley can take a lot of heart from the way his side battled throughout. For the holders it’s a case of ‘job done’, however unconvincingly, and onto the semi-finals.
Easington: K Appleyard, L Jeffery, P Morrow, D Potts, J Batch, A Graham, I Barrow, M Nicholson, D Thompson, D Medforth (S Harrod, 51), N Rutter (D Walmsley, 64) (Sub not used: D Mackay-Dundas)
Referee: Mr. G. Wilkin
Att: 45