Manager Ben Milner brought himself on with 8 minutes to go and this turned out to be a masterstroke as the big man was on hand to score in the 95 minute to keep Easington’s hopes of promotion to the Hellenic Premier Division alive. Sports left it late to snatch all three points with Reece Bayliss converted an 87 minute penalty.

Over the last two games Easington have made hardwork of the matches as they have edged closer to the end of the season. Sports need to win the last 7 matches of the season to guarantee a top two finish with every game now feeling like a cup tie. The effort was certainly there from the players but this was again far from a fluent display with at times too many direct ball towards the Pewsey goal which the visitors’ defence comfortably dealt with.

Easington started the brighter of the two sides and Mike Spaull and Sam Grant linked up well to create some good early balls into the box that were only lacking a final touch which would have threatened the goal. There was also a half appeal for a penalty when Charlie Hill showed quick feet on the ball before being clumsily tackled. Pewsey, who looked a completely different side to the one two weeks ago, then came back into the game. It was the visitors who played the better football in the first half and were the best side up to half time. Adam Rimmer had to be alert to claim and clear a number of balls into the box as Pewsey continued to play directly into their top goal scorer and target man Lee Smith. Pewsey also hit the post after James Blake beat the offside trap before poking a shot just past the on rushing Rimmer. At the other end, Sam Grant also played well for Sports as a target man. Unfortunately for the home side, Easington couldn’t convert his hold up play into chances and so the half ended 0-0.

Changes needed to be made at half time and it was clear from the way Sports started the second half the management team had been busy at half term. Attacking the clubhouse end, Easington again started well and were much more effective getting in behind the fullbacks. An unfortunate injury to James Lambert allowed Ben Milner to bring on Tom Smith and to change the formation and Smith had an instant impact on the game. Not only did he start to compete in midfield but it also allowed Charlie Hill and James Montague to break forward much quicker giving Easington a greater threat. Pewsey continued to defend very well and Sports were limited to scuffed chances or blocked shots after good deliveries from out wide.

With 15 minutes to go the game really came to life. Josh Fowler finished well from a counter attack at a time when Easington were having their best spell of pressure in the game. Milner instantly responded and brought himself and Craig Pearman on and thankfully the goal sparked even more urgency into the Sports’ play. Eventually this pressure told and Reece Bayliss was brought down in the box for a penalty which he then converted calmly. Finally the crucial goal of the game went the way of Easington in the 95th minute! James Montague headed a cross back across goal and with all the players naturally being drawn by the ball one way, Milner used all his experience to hold his position on the back post and he volleyed home to start wild celebrations from the players in the corner.

This was another victory which Easington barely deserved after a strong performance from the visitors. That said, Sports have found a way to grind out results and this win makes it 5 in 5 with two games to go…

Team Rimmer, Fitton, Hastie (Pearman on), Rose, Lambert (Smith on), C. Grant, Montague, Hill, Spaull (Milner on), Bayliss, S. Grant. Coombes unused sub.