by Richard Lusmore
Despite seeing his team slip to defeat at Hodgsons last Saturday, Easington United manager Andy Graham is in no doubt that they are heading the right direction.
He said afterwards: “I’m very disappointed by the result, but overall I’m encouraged by the performance.”
The manager praised his predominantly young side for refusing to be “intimidated” by physical opponents and for never “taking a backwards step” in a game that at times, particularly in the first half, threatened to bubble over.
From a pure footballing stance, it has to be said that Hodgsons again showed the locals the standards they still need to aspire to if they are to seriously consider themselves as challengers.
One could see, particularly in the opening 20 minutes of the game, why the Beverley outfit have suffered just one league defeat all season and are still involved in all three cup competitions, including the Humber Premier League Whiteheads Fish & Chips Cup, in which they had defeated HPL side Scarborough Reserves in their last outing of 2025.
Given all this, to come away from the Tanners for a second time this season asking several “what ifs” shows the ongoing improvement in this United side.
Graham must now channel last week’s frustrations into a positive mindset ahead of Saturday’s hoped-for return to home action against Sculcoates Amateurs Academy. “Hoped-for”, because the Low Farm pitch had several areas of standing water on it at the start of this week.
He will also need to check on his walking wounded. The Hodgsons game saw Charlie Clark require hospital treatment, which must make him an early doubt, while Cal Burden and Adam Jamieson are both absent, with Dan Smith again unavailable and Dan Shearer a doubt.
Owen Mountain’s side come to Low Farm on the back of a narrow 3-4 reverse at home to second-placed Beverley Town Development.
The young Scullies outfit currently sit ninth, two points and three places behind Easington but having played a game more.
There is no game for the reserves on Saturday, and the veterans are without a fixture on Sunday after seeing last week’s scheduled game at Barham ruled out because of a waterlogged pitch.
The EzGirls are due to be back in action on Saturday morning, when they are set to host AFC Tickton Titans in the East Riding Girls League U16 Division. However, as with the men’s game, this may well be subject to improving pitch conditions.
On the player milestone front, congratulations go to Adam Jamieson, who made his 350th Eastenders appearance in Saturday’s game at Hodgsons.
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For up-to-date news, check out the club website at easington-united.co.uk, along with Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages (@EasingtonUtd) or on TikTok at @easingtonunitedafc.