By Richard Lusmore
Easington United’s four teams all hope to return to action this weekend as the various local league competitions resume following the annual festive break.
All three Eastenders Saturday teams have scheduled fixtures as do the Awd Ezzies veterans side, although the weather could yet play a part in proceedings.
The early signs are that the third team’s game at home to Robin in East Riding County League Division 5 could be most under threat, with the pitches at Patrington currently reported as being very wet or soft in places.
Hopefully, there are no such concerns at Holme-on-Spalding Moor where Craig Smalley takes his first team squad in Humber Premier League Division 1.
The locals will be looking to bounce back from the very disappointing performance they served up in their last game of 2022, against opponents who are one place and one point above them in the table.
Squad-wise, Charlie Clark and the Fincham brothers are unavailable, while Dan Lorimer remains sidelined by injury. Otherwise, the picture would appear to be an improving one for Smalley with Adam Smith the latest player expected back after long-term injury.
The home game against this week’s opponents saw Easington rally from 0-2 down to share the spoils thanks to two late goals, perhaps exemplifying in 90 minutes the locals’ inconsistency across the season to date, a feature highlighted by the manager in his end-of-year assessment when referring to their “peaks and troughs”.
For the Reserves it’s a second attempt at playing Sutton United in East Riding County League Division 2, a game that was frozen out by the cold snap that preceded Christmas. The two teams sit alongside each other in the table, with the Stiffs three points and a place better off in seventh. However, you have to go back to November 26 for the last time the locals kicked a ball in anger and manager Sam Outing will be hoping his players can pick up where they left off, given their improving form at the time.
For the third string the aim is to arrest a run of five successive defeats with which they ended last year. That won’t be easy against a team that currently sits fourth in the Division 5 table.
With the doubts surrounding the pitch at Patrington, all avenues will be explored in an attempt to get both County League games on. Reversing one or both of the fixtures may be an option and as such, supporters are advised to check out our website and social media pages for updates.
Although there has been no competitive action over the Christmas holiday, the players have had chance to run off any “excess baggage” in a couple of midweek training sessions, along with a well-attended in-house game held at St Mary’s College on December 28.
The willingness of players to be involved in these activities again speaks volumes for the spirit within the camp at the moment. Hopefully, it’s another sign of better times ahead.
Meanwhile, this weekend’s competitive action is set to be concluded on Sunday when the Awd Ezzies are scheduled to make the short trip to high-flying Preston United in Hull Vets League Division 5.
Off the field, the club continues to welcome any form of sponsorship on offer, with those who’ve recently pledged support soon to be acknowledged on the club website. Any business/individual wishing to back The Eastenders in 2023 can contact us at info@ easington-united.co.uk.
For up-to-date news, check out our website at easington-united.co.uk, along with our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@EasingtonUtd).
