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SPORTS KICK OFF THE SEASON IN FINE STYLE

SPORTS KICK OFF THE SEASON IN FINE STYLE

Richard Meadows5 Aug 2018 - 16:51
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ESFC 4 PEWSEY VALE 0

Sports players and management can be delighted with this opening game result and performance after comfortably beating another one of the leagues high flying sides. 2 goals from Andrew Stidder and one a piece for Joe Eyre and Sam Grant meant that Easington can now look ahead to their first FA Cup match in confident mood. In sweltering heat on a rock hard surface, credit must go to both sides for a really entertaining game which was played for the whole 90 minutes at a high tempo.

The opening minutes of the game were keenly contested by both sides and it did take a few minutes for the game to settle down. Easington were the quickest to adjust to the frenetic pace of the game and it was clear that the home side were the fitter side which became more apparent as the game went on. Sports midfield 3 of Sam Grant, Craig Robinson and Callum Convey worked tirelessly to protect the back four and then controlled the play going forward allowing the front three to enjoy a number of early moments to stretch the game. Henry Rose provided Easington with a target man to play into and his intelligent link up play with Convey created the first chance of the game in the opening 15 minutes. Rose spun his marker and then fired a low ball across the six yard box which evaded the defender and keeper but Sam Grant could not make the right contact to bundle the ball into the net. As the half wore on both Andrew Stidder and Joe Eyre enjoyed good battles with their fullbacks and after a switch of flanks between the pair, Sports eventually took the lead. With the Pewsey defence stretched Convey flashed another ball across the box from the right hand side and this time it was successfully converted by Stidder on the back post to take the lead. Easington continued to press for another goal but it was the visitors who had the next clear cut chance. Attacking Midfielder Lee Smith beat the offside trap and Adam Rimmer made a great one on one save just before half time to ensure Easington went in at half time a goal up.

Sports continued to create chances throughout the second half and ran out comfortable winners in the end. Attacking the clubhouse end Sam Grant extended Easington’s lead in the 51st minute after reading the second ball well in the box. Grant tapped home the rebound from a Craig Robinson’s shot that came back off the post. Andrew Stidder then had two chances to finish Pewsey Vale off but the Easington forward could not keep one shot down whilst another low ball across the box was cleared before Stidder had the chance to convert more unselfish play from Henry Rose. The switch of flanks for Joe Eyre also became more effective as the half wore on. Eyre was played through twice in quick succession and he did well to rifle his second attempt low and hard in the bottom corner in the 64th minute to seal the three points for Sports. There was still time for Stidder to get his second goal of the game. Again, Henry Rose was the provider and Stidder turned and swivelled in the middle of the goal to finish off a cross with a low shot into the corner of the net giving the keeper no chance. Pewsey finished the half the stronger after the Sports players eased off and young keeper Adam Rimmer showed good concentration and agility to make two smart saves late on to ensure Easington ended with a clean sheet. 4-0 final score.

Overall this was a terrific start to the season with Conor Grant, Mike Spaull, Niall Higgins, Tom Smith, and Craig Pearman all unavailable. The players showed an excellent level of fitness and worked hard for each other and it is fair to say they have really set their standard for the season with this performance. The Easington squad is big and has good experience and so the competition should mean players will continue to play for their shirt.

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