by Richard Lusmore
Easington United embark on a busy period that sees the first team playing eight games in a month between Saturday, April 18, and Saturday, May 9.
Included as part of the schedule are midweek away trips to East Riding Rangers and South Cave United Reserves on successive Tuesdays (April 21 and April 28), and the eagerly anticipated East Riding Senior County Cup Final, at Bridlington Town FC, on Wednesday, May 6.
It all kicks off this weekend when Sculcoates Amateurs Academy arrive at Low Farm for what constitutes the locals’ fifth consecutive home game.
Andy Graham will again be forced to watch proceedings as a spectator as he completes a two-match touchline ban. He will do so hoping for a repeat of last weekend, when stand-in manager Jordan Organ oversaw a 5-2 win over North Ferriby Reserves.
The Eastenders ended a run of three straight defeats with a convincing performance, especially in the second half, and they will look to build on this against a team that has come into form of late.
Since suffering an 8-0 hiding at Hodgsons back in January, Owen Mountain’s side completed five successive league wins, including an eye-catching 5-2 beating of title hopefuls Edgehill, as part of an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
That run was ended by the same Hodgsons side last week, albeit only by the odd goal in seven, so Graham knows his team are in for a very tough afternoon.
Although Saturday’s win didn’t improve Easington’s league standing in the table, it did lift them clear of the bottom two and left them in good position to climb further away given their games in hand.
Graham will have to cope without Adam Smith and Matt Adamson for the next few games. The skipper is on holiday, while Adamson suffered a foot injury in the first half last week.
Two players the manager might well be tempted to call upon by way of replacements are Cal Burden and Matty Carrick, both of whom earned praise from John Harrison for their attitude and performance in the reserves’ 2-1 defeat last week at promotion-chasing Goole United Reserves.
The reserves are on the road again this weekend.
They travel to St John’s Grove to play an Eastside team that have stuttered in recent weeks but always provide robust opposition.
Manager Harrison’s holiday means Mark Waites takes the reins, with assistance from skipper Pete Stallard and probably Danny Cothay too, after the former third team boss suffered a shoulder injury at Goole.
The Ez Girls kick proceedings off on Saturday morning when they host AFC Tickton Titans at home. Last weekend, the girls got back to winning ways despite fielding only 10 players at East Hull United.
Lola, Emme and Marli scored in a 3-2 win, with the whole team collecting the awards for ‘player of the match’.
The Awd Ezzies also returned to winning ways last weekend, courtesy of a 5-3 victory at Priory Vets in a game played for six points. They return to action in a fortnight’s time when promotion hopefuls AFC Willerby D are the visitors.
Our thanks go to Phil Wright for last week’s match sponsorship. Thanks also go to our sponsors for the upcoming Eastenders Race Night event at the Granby on April 25 (Kam Cheng, D & SL Fuels & Lubricants, Withernsea Carpets, Neil Rutter, Doug Clubley and Mike Wilson Butchers Ltd).
The event is open to all and we would love to see as many members of the local community there for what is traditionally a very enjoyable and entertaining night.
Any pledges of support for the club can be directed via email to [email protected], or via our website, social media pages or simply by speaking directly to a club member.
For up-to-date news, check out our club website at easington-united.co.uk, along with our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages (@EasingtonUtd) or on TikTok at @easingtonunitedafc.