by Richard Lusmore
Easington United moved out of the bottom two in the Right Car East Riding County League Premiership Division for the first time since November 21, thanks to another gutsy performance last weekend.
The Eastenders played out a third draw in as many games to move a point clear of Haltemprice and Hedon Rangers Reserves – those two now locked on 15 points after Hedon’s 3-2 win in Saturday’s meeting.
Although the locals will have been frustrated to be pegged back by high-flying Bridlington Rovers Millau, after youngster Connor Bradley had marked his first team debut by firing Easington ahead at half-time, there was no disappointment evident in caretaker manager Mark Richardson’s post-match assessment.
He said: “It was very, very good today from everyone involved, a committed, disciplined performance by everyone.”
A point that probably came against most people’s expectations brought a close to a home campaign that has finished on something of a high – two wins and a draw in the last four games – after what has otherwise been one long struggle at Low Farm.
The locals now need to ensure their away form, which has recently seen them pick up successive draws at Haltemprice and Sculcoates, can yield enough points from the four remaining matches to secure Premiership survival.
It begins at North Cave this Saturday. The hosts won comfortably at Low Farm back in September and recently edged out title-chasing Bridlington Town Reserves to reach the East Riding Senior Country Cup Final. They currently sit fifth in the table, having lost 0-2 at home to sixth place Holme Rovers last weekend.
Richardson hopes to have Matt Adamson, Billy Fincham, James Hare, Adam Smith and Dan Warcup back after all four missed the Millau game. Youngster Connor Bradley looks likely to retain his place after making the most of an unexpected opportunity last week.
On the flip side, Cal Burden, Liam Murrey and David Nolan are unavailable, with Ashton Palmer (work) and Tom Graham (injury) both doubtful. Jack Wright remains absent, along with skipper Dan Smith who was an unused sub last weekend.
Elsewhere on Saturday, the reserves host Hessle Rangers Juniors at Low Farm just over a month on from when the two teams last met, with the stiffs winning 4-3. A repeat result would lift the locals four points clear of Hessle in Division 1 and possibly up several places depending on results elsewhere.
The thirds face a stern test of their seven-match unbeaten run when they go to Wareham Forest in Division 3. The hosts secured a top-two finish behind runaway leaders Priory last Saturday, courtesy of a 4-0 win at third place AFC Tickton.
Meanwhile, the EzPats should know the identity of their Harold Robinson Cup semi-final opponents on Saturday, with the aforementioned Tickton facing a tricky trip to Scarborough to meet high-flying Division 4 side AFC Eastfield in the last remaining quarter-final.
Low Farm opens its gates early on Saturday when the EzGirls entertain Hessle Rangers CIC Girls in a meeting of fourth versus fifth in the East Riding League U15 Division.
Last Saturday, the girls bounced back from their recent cup disappointment to win 4-0 at AFC Tickton Titans. Second half goals from Harriet (2), Lily and Sophia proved the difference, with Elouise named as both the coaches’ and parents’ player of the match.
Last weekend saw Low Farm the chosen venue for vlogger Jake Topliss. He describes it as a “hidden gem” in his “Eastenders of the North” edition on his Topliss at the Turnstiles YouTube channel, which also includes an interview with development manager Craig Foster and action from the game against Brid Rovers Millau.
Our thanks go (again) to R & A Smith Builders Ltd for their sponsorship of Saturday’s home game, along with our appreciation of all those businesses and individuals who have sponsored our other first team games in 2024-25.
Anybody who would also like to support or sponsor this “lovely club with lovely people”, as Topliss at the Turnstiles describes it, is invited to email [email protected] or message us on 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.
