by Richard Lusmore
There is another busy weekend in store for Easington United with all four teams scheduled to be in action.
Both the first and third teams are in East Riding County FA Cup competition. The senior squad travel to play fellow HPL Division 1 side Hessle Sporting Club Reserves in the first round of the Senior Country Cup. Meanwhile, at Patrington the thirds host East Riding County League Division 4 side Costello FC in the Qualifying Cup. Both games kick off at 2pm.
At the same time, the Reserves entertain AFC Skirlaugh in the East Riding County League Junior Cup – a game postponed three weeks ago following news of the Queen’s passing – and on Sunday, Low Farm hosts its second match of the weekend when Malt Shovel make the long trip east from Selby for a Hull & District Vets League Division 5 encounter (2pm).
Although first team results are the mark by which fortunes are automatically gauged, there was a general feeling of positivity around the club despite the 0-4 loss at home to leaders Great Driffield last weekend.
This is because the Reserves registered their first win of the season, and indeed their first in eight competitive matches (and six months) since a 2-5 away success at Leven on 19 March. Manager Sam Outing will hope that the latest victory sparks a better run of form than was the case with its predecessor.
The Stiffs’ long-awaited delight at a win is some-thing the third team players will hope to experience soon. That said there were positives to be found in Saturday’s 6-2 reverse at a young Goole United Academy team that on the evidence of their start to the campaign look destined to be up among the contenders.
The same can certainly be said of Great Driffield, who reinforced their status of HPL Division 1 title favourites with a comfortable win at Low Farm.
For Easington manager Craig Smalley, the afternoon proved testing as his side never reached the highs they’ve previously set and in failing to do so, they allowed a ruthless Driffield team to take full advantage.
Smalley will be looking for a big response at the King George V Playing Fields in Hessle where his team take on an outfit that have struggled since joining the HPL. Saturday’s 7-0 loss at Beverley Town Reserves left them rooted to the foot of the table, having shipped 26 goals in five games.
Despite this, the locals will take nothing for granted, with Smalley determined that his players improve in all areas on their performance last weekend. To this end he is bolstered by the anticipated return of Matt Adamson, Charlie Clark and Dan Warcup who all missed the Driffield defeat, along with Chris Frost’s availability for the first time since the expunged Reckitts game. Jack Wright (holiday) is a notable absentee.
Last weekend saw our teams again observe a minute’s silence prior to kick-off, this time as requested officially by the local leagues in memory of Tony Exton.
October’s East Riding County League fixtures have been added to the club website and shared on social media. One change to the published version comes on 8 October, with the first team now hosting AAK (of ER County League Division 3) in a Yorkshire Old Boys Shield first round tie that has come about following the withdrawal of original opponents, Collegians. The fixture means postponement of the Eastenders scheduled away league game at Hedon, as well as a change of venue for the Reserves’ home game against Haltemprice from Low Farm to Patrington.
Away from the action, thanks to all who contributed to making last Saturday’s 75th anniversary event such a tremendous success. A full report of proceedings can be found elsewhere in this week’s Gazette.
However, it seems appropriate here to quote the words of Benny Bielstein, who represented the Humber Premier League at the event and took to social media to describe it as “a fantastic evening and a fantastic club”, adding, “if you want to know how a club should be run, contact Easington United”.
Plaudits were also received from Trevor Rose, who along with his wife Jen attended the event as representative of the East Riding County FA and the East Riding County League. He described the evening as “wonderful” and congratulated the committee, expressing his confidence that under their guidance the club will continue to go from strength to strength.
The management committee would especially like to thank the event organisers Daniel and Stuart Campbell, and Sam Outing for their hard work in bringing everything together.
One of the main contributory factors to the success of the dinner was the backing received by our table sponsors and for this our thanks go to Rosindale & Sons Ltd, ESL (GB) Ltd and Neil Rutter. Any business or individual wishing to support the club in any way can do so by emailing us at [email protected].
For up-to-date news, check out our club website at easington-united.co.uk, along with our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@EasingtonUtd).
