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Local derby serves up a feast of goals

Local derby serves up a feast of goals

Richard Meadows19 Oct 2014 - 20:06
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Sports Cruise into the next round after a 5-1 win against Hook Norton. Manager Craig Pearman's radio interview also included.

Easington Sports ran out comfortable 5-1 winners against local rivals Hook Norton in the Oxfordshire Senior League Cup. Two goals from Andrew Stidder and Chris Tilcock and a goal from Steve Howkins ensured Sports’ name was in the draw for the next round. Lewis Travers scored the only goal for Hook Norton to briefly keep them in the match in an action packed second half.
This was a typically committed local derby with both teams battled hard to gain the advantage. With a number of strong tackles and with both teams keen to make no mistakes, the first half had few clear cut chances. Craig Robinson nearly opened the scoring for Hook Norton with a well directed header just over the bar from a corner. Sports replied with an even better chance. Terry Fitton clipped a ball down the line which Andrew Stidder took well on his chest before crossing for Ryan Markham. Jake Butler deputising in goal for the unavailable Kurt Fox, saved Markham’s shot down low and then McMahon could not squeeze the rebound past Butler who claimed the ball on the second attempt. Both teams looked to threaten from set pieces but it was certainly a first half whereby both teams needed to find more in the second half. 0-0 at half time.

The second half was dominated by Easington. The home side started brightly and the Hook Norton team struggled to cope with the fluid passing and movement. The in form Sports front three were pressing for the opening goal and it was Andrew Stidder who broke the deadlock with the first of several outstanding goal of the season contenders. Stidder collected a half clearance just outside the area, he lobbed the ball up over the head of Lewis Travers before smashing an unstoppable left foot volley in off the post. In a transformed second half, there were a number of chances to double the lead. Howkins fired over the bar after more good work down the right and there were some other blocks on the edge of the box. It was just a matter of time before Sports would score again and ot was Stidder who was on hand to score his second of the game. Terry Fitton combined well with Chris Tilcock and the former Hooky player’s cross fell to the unmarked striker on the far post for him to finish with ease. In an end to end spell mid-way through the second half Lewis Travers kept Hook Norton in the tie with a superb lob from the edge of the box after some quick thinking from a free-kick which left Meadows stranded. The next goal was always going to be crucial and a fine break away goal finished off the cup game. Ryan Markham showed great desire to win the ball back on the half way line and after a smart save from Butler, Tilcock slid in to squeeze the rebound under the keeper. Hook Norton pushed to narrow the gap again and Nathan Bott made a number of runs into the box from fullback to no avail. Richard Meadows also had to claim some routine crosses and made a smart save low down at his near post. The Sports' defence held firm and then it was Howkins' turn to rub salt into the wounds with a fourth. Ryan Markham curled a corner into the box which Howkins met cleanly to head a bullet header into the net. Tilcock finished off a fine performance with arguably the goal of the game. The healthy crowd of over a 100 were treated to another outstanding goal. Substitute Peter Moulder came on to impact on the game to great effect. His neat control and flick to Tilcock was real quality and then the midfielder smashed a superb volley on the run into the roof of the net.

To hear Manager Craig Pearman’s reaction to the game on Radio Horton then please click here. Craig, you are going to love it!

Meadows, Fitton (Nicholls), Milner, Higgins, Grant (Standen), Stidder, Keenan, Tilcock, Markham, McMahon (Moulder), Howkins. Suns not used Cramond and McKay

Sports will be back in league action next week with another tough game against Headington Amateurs.

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