by Richard Lusmore
An improvement in the weather has raised hopes that Easington United’s three Saturday teams may get to resume their Right Car East Riding County League campaigns this weekend.
After all three teams saw their games washed out last Saturday – along with most of the competition – the forecast of a mainly “dry” week, with biting north-easterly winds has raised hopes of a chance to kick a ball for the first time since December 16.
Should things go as planned, the first team are set to host Hedon Rangers Reserves in the Premiership Division. It’s the third meeting of the Holderness rivals this term, with Craig Smalley’s side having scored twice late on to snatch a point at Hedon earlier in the season, before overcoming the sending off of Adam Smith to edge past their opponents in the League Senior Cup in the teams’ most recent meeting.
Hedon claimed only their second win of the season last Saturday, moving three points clear of bottom club North Ferriby Development at the foot of the table with a 5-2 win over their opponents at the Holderness Academy.
The confidence from this and the fact that despite the results, Rangers have also perhaps shaded both games in their meetings with Easington so far, should ensure the visitors will travel in good heart and the locals will need to be at their best at Low Farm – especially given their recent lack of activity.
Results elsewhere saw the Eastenders slip a place to ninth in the table but a win against Hedon would see them restore a welcome eight-point cushion over the bottom three.
Manager Smalley is again without skipper Liam Murrey who is said to be still “two to three weeks away” due to his rib injury. Youngster Tom Ward is also absent through illness and there are doubts over Adam Smith, available again after suspension, and Jack Wright.
For the reserves there is a trip to Haworth Park in Division 2, where Hull United Development are the hosts. It’s the start of a potentially exciting second half of the season for Adam Jamieson’s side who, currently, are among four teams fighting it out at the top.
The hosts are currently not among that quartet, having won just two of their seven games to date. However, as shown by the game at Bridlington Rovers Pandas prior to Christmas, no away game in the division is a given and Jamieson will be desperate to avoid any slip-ups.
The manager will await the first team selection with interest. To that end the gradual return of players from injury – Andy Graham, Harry Pill and John Pontone all trained this week – is again beginning to increase competition throughout the club.
One game that should be guaranteed to go ahead whatever the weather is the third team’s trip to Market Weighton Town Reserves, which takes place on the school 3G.
The EzPats will be most glad of a game given the disruptive nature of their season to date, the locals having played just once since November 18!
Saturday offers Sam Outing’s side the chance to climb further away from the foot of the Division 4 table. The hosts are rock bottom of the table having lost all seven league games they’ve played. That said, the EzPats’ form is often dictated by player availability higher up the tree and as such, Outing will hope that both the first team and reserves have options in abundance.
Ahead of the hoped-for return to action, the locals resumed training at Withernsea High School on Monday, with a second session to follow tonight. Numbers were decent for the first night (without being outstanding) and this is one area in which the club should really be looking to improve if a successful second half of the campaign is to be enjoyed.
As expected, the Awd Ezzies completed a clean sweep of wash-outs last weekend when their Hull & District Vets League Division 6 game against Gipsyville Bosun fell victim to Hull City Council’s blanket postponement due to their pitches being unfit for use. The locals will hope to return to action on Sunday week (21st) when high-flying AFC Willerby B are the scheduled visitors.
Away from the action, any individual or business wishing to sponsor Easington United AFC in any way can contact the club via one of our numerous social media outlets or by email to [email protected].
For up-to-date news, check out our club website at easington-united.co.uk, along with our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages (@EasingtonUtd). We also have a new TikTok page at @easingtonunitedafc.
