by Richard Lusmore
Easington United manager Karl Atkin gets his first proper look at his prospective players this evening when many of them will be involved in a full-scale, in-house practice match at Low Farm.
After overseeing his latest training session at Patrington on Tuesday, Atkin admitted he still has plenty of things to mull over in terms of picking squads for the upcoming friendly fixtures against Hedon Rangers (on Tuesday) and Denaby Main (on Saturday).
This evening’s affair therefore almost represents a trial for those fixtures, both of which promise to provide a stern examination of the Eastenders. As such, Atkin will be expecting those on show tonight to display the same attitude that has pleased the incoming boss at training. With a couple of experienced players set to come into the squad in the next week or so, Atkin isn’t particularly looking at many more additions to what he maintains is a “quality group of players”.
He continues to be impressed by what he sees on the training pitch. Tuesday’s session was overseen by reserve team boss John Harrison, with Atkin content to continue his familiarisation with those on show from a purely watching brief.
Similarly, Atkin won’t be involved directly with either team tonight, although he will have a hand in selection of them, with the manager keen to forge partnerships across the pitch.
As for next Tuesday’s test against Hedon, he knows he’s probably kicking off his pre-season schedule with his team’s toughest test, but is more than happy to do so. “It’ll show the lads the levels they need to be at,” he says.
Away from the action, immediately after this evening’s game, the club holds its annual general meeting in the clubhouse, with the scheduled start being pushed back to 8.30pm to accommodate completion of the football.
Elsewhere, last week’s scheduled spruce-up of the ground was postponed due to a poor (and what turned out to be accurate) weather forecast, which would have hampered some of the planned maintenance jobs. A Day on the Farm is now set to go ahead this Saturday, July 26, starting at 10am, with all volunteers welcome.
The past week or so has seen work around the ground continue. The pitch has been newly marked (thanks to Russ Edwards and Brim Biglin as always for their part in that time-consuming operation), new shower pods have been installed in the changing rooms, more work has been done on the kitchen/catering areas of the clubhouse, and preparation has begun of an outdoor seating area adjoining the new structure.
In addition, tomorrow should see the arrival of the new jacket, to be fitted to the outside of the changing rooms; something that will greatly prolong the life of this modular facility.
It all contributes to a mood around the club that is certainly upbeat at the moment; something Atkin and other members of the new-look management structure will seek to ensure continues as the serious stuff (i.e. fixtures) get under way.
Any business or individual that would like to get on board with the club this season can do so easily. Either email us direct at [email protected] or via any of our social media pages.
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.
