The first team end the season away to Lydney and put in a much improved performance after the disappointment of Thursday night away to Henley Town. After a poor performance during the week littered with mistakes and a lack of quality, the match against Division 1 West high fliers was an altogether different game.
Lydney Town were by far the biggest team Sports have faced by some distance and so it came as no surprise that the home side spent much of the game playing to their strengths. Easington had a timely reminder of the difference between the two leagues and the physical nature of the Western division and were unlucky to not be awarded to penalties in the first half after Pete Moulder and Craig Pearman were man handled in the box. The game was a very tight affair but Sports enjoyed good spells of control as Ryan Markham, Matty Keenan and Craig Pearman worked tirelessly to win the second balls on a bouncy surface. Easington stretched the game and played balls down the sides of the Lydney defence and as a result of this found it easy to get in behind but unfortunately they could not carve out a clear cut chance.
Easington continued to ask questions of the Lydney defence in the second half and the game become more open at both ends. The swirling wind meant that both defences at times misjudged the ball in the air and this always meant they were pressed into some good defending by the lively forwards. Lydney eventually took the lead after a good ball to the near post was not dealt with after a mix up in communication and this was finished off by Richard Kear. A change in formation brought almost an instant reply. Conor Grant came on to offer more width as a wing back and his pressure on the centre back Halford was telling. Grant used his pace to out sprint the giant of a centreback and then clipped the ball over the on rushing Lydney keeper to make it 1-1. Andrew Stidder just moments later was also put through and again outpaced the defender only to see his shot brilliantly turned over the bar by Thomas in the Lydney goal. Sports finished the end of the second half strongly and Lydney had to defend well to hold on for extra time.
The enforced additional 30 minutes was entertaining as both teams tired in the heat. Half chances were created by the lively substitute Livous for Sports whilst Lydney did hit the post with a free kick from distance. Pete Macklin was the first to react to dropping ball on the edge of the Sports’ box and he rifled a shot low and hard into the net for what looked like the winner for Lydney. In the last kick of the game, and to the dismay of the home bench, Livous was fouled in the box which gave Stidder the chance to draw the teams level again. He held his nerve and the game was decided on penalties.
After some excellent spot kicks from both sides, Lydney goalkeeper Richard Thomas proved the eventual hero. He guessed the right way saving Stidder’s second penalty of the game and then stepped up to convert the deciding penalty.
Sports were clapped off the pitch at the end of the game with many of the home side saying they were the best (and fittest!) team that Lydney have faced all season. Credit to the managers and players, however, no consolation for yet again coming close to something special for the club.
Overall, this has been a much improved season for the first team, lots to learn for next season… promotion maybe… fingers crossed!
Well done to all players and the managers for an entertaining season.