April 2014

What a mixed bag!  April 2014 saw Hull City playing only their second ever FA Cup semi-final, winning an eight-goal thriller to reach their first ever FA Cup Final.  The day before we’d finally ended our own eight-match losing run by winning at fifth-placedNewark Town in a real “old school” Easington performance.  And the night before that (Friday – do keep up) Rovers had bounced back from their Challenge Cup exit to win atWarrington...which they rarely do.  It was a fantastic sporting weekend – and I missed all of it thanks to a pre-planned weekend in London and at Harry Potter World for the Elder Slushette’s 11th birthday treat. 

Whilst I could at least listen to the Robins’ win on the radio, news of the 1-0 win at Newark was learnt via mobile updates while being dragged round Hamleys Toys and the M & M Store!  As for City’s rollercoaster ride against the Blades, well that was followed by Twitter on the coach, with a fast fading battery...agonising is not the word.  Still, it provides me with yet another item for my father-of-the-bride wedding day speech...

The rest of the month brough an aforementioned cup exit for Rovers, a magnificent first Hull derby of the season and some decent local football...

Saturday 5th April

CML North Division

Easington United 2 Harworth Colliery 3

This was most certainly one that got away, but simply by virtue of this fact it probably helps explain why we are where we are in the table.

The match report can be read here.

Facebook pics can be found here (Burt) and here (Craig).

Sunday 6th April

Rugby League Challenge Cup Round 1

Hull KR 24 Warrington Wolves 28

Hopes of a decent cup run – and chance to really gloat over the Dullers’ exit the preceding Thursday – were dashed by Warrington’s second half comeback at The KC Lightstream.

It was the Younger Slushette’s first visit to the ground (her previous taste of Rovers having come courtesy of a derby defeat at the KC) and my first taste of the new North Stand.

In truth that was the most impressive part of the day, the superb new structure being home to some excellent pre-match entertainment from Half Deaf Clatch (even if I’d have preferred that on offer for the Wakefield and Bradford games – The Happy Endings, complete with the sumptuous vocal talents of Emma Fee).  Free face painting for the kids, plenty of photo opportunities with Rufus The Robin and the improved catering areas added to a real feel-good factor about the place.  Rovers can certainly be proud of it.

Just a shame about result, which according to many comments I heard on the way out, signalled the end of the Robins’ season...in April!

At least the Elder Slushette's birthday tea in the Crown at Kilnsea (complete with Timothy Taylor Landlord) helped offset any immediate post-match disappointment :-)
The official BBC report is here.
Action shot courtesy of The Warrington Guardian.

Wednesday 16th April

CML North Division

Bentley Colliery 1 Easington United 2

A weekend excursion to London and Harry Potter World to mark the Elder Slushette’s 11th birthday had not only scuppered my hopes of seeing Hull City reach the FA Cup Final for the first time ever but also meant I missed a first ever trip to Newark Town’s Station Road ground and, more importantly, a rare Easington away win!

As such I was determined not to pass up the opportunity of catching the lads next time out, which involved tying in the weekly visit to our Hessle office with a dash down the M18 to The Avenue.

Throw in the prospect of the League’s best meat pies, one of the funniest PA announcers in the country and a meet-up with a former Hull City skipper afterwards and it was too good to miss...and that’s before you throw in a second successive away win!

In the event the pie more than lived up to expectation.  Pete on the mic also kept me entertained: “Welcome to Bentley Colliery versus Easington You-narted. Easington’s colours are bot...bottle and go...er, green and yella!”  As for the former Tiger, that came in the form of Stuart Croft, scorer of City’s winner at the very first “away” match I saw back in 1980.  More of this can be found in my other blog in due course.

All in all it was one of the best trips this season – and that’s despite having The Pistol and the PPE nowhere to be seen!

My match report can be read here.
Photos of the game can also be found on our Facebook page. 

My other blog is A Hull Of A Time.

Thursday 17th April

Super League

Hull KR 21 Hull FC 20

Although disappointed when first learning that the switch of the Easter derby from the traditional Good Friday date to the preceding night, in the event the move proved a good one as the teams served up a thriller in front of an atmosphere that – if my own behaviour is anything to go by – was helped enormously by the quaffing of much tea-time ale!

A late afternoon trip down Hull’s real ale quarter - taking in decent ales at Lion & Key, The Manchester Arms and Hawkes Bar (complete with dimpled glass (it doesn't take much!) - was followed by the introduction of three “Smoggies” (one works colleague from ‘the Boro and two of his mates) to the world of “Hulking Stan Rovers” and the game “rrrrrrrrrragby leeeague”. 

I think they enjoyed it.  I know I did.

For a match report read here.

Saturday 19th April

CML North Division

Easington United 2 Clay Cross Town 1

And the run goes on!  The first of the Easter Double-Egger saw opening day opponents Clay Cross travel north and return empty-handed following another solid showing.

It was one of those performances reminiscent of the first season in the CML – passages of excellent football, flashes of individual brilliance and plenty of good old fashioned backs-to-the-wall defending.  Hopefully, it bodes well for next season...

My match report can be read here.

The Clay Cross report can be found here

Facebook pictures can be found here (Burt) and here (Craig).

Saturday 26th April

CML North Division

Ollerton Town 3 Easington United 2

Ollerton is one of those places that for some reason I always know for certain before going that we’re not going to come away with anything.  And this time was no different, mainly because of the early dismissal of Anthony Barnett for denying a goal-scoring opportunity...even though the ball ended up in the net anyway!

That said we put up a really good scrap and to hear the “elder statesmen” of the home support turn on their side after Jamie’s first goal was not only very, very funny but also testament to the effort the lads put in.

A decent pint of Mansfield Cask Ale afterwards was a bonus...lack of any food was not ;-)

Our report can be found here.
The Ollerton report can be read here.
Facebook page pics can be found here.

Tuesday 30th April

South Holderness Cup Round 1

Easington United Reserves 7 Bilton Athletic 1

Ah, the South Holderness Cup – that traditional end-of-season competition in which games are played in front of big crowds on gorgeous spring evenings.  Hmm, this one took place in conditions normally akin to those experienced in November and was watched by just enough people to form two touchline five-a-side teams.

Still, at least those present managed to catch the Reserves’ first win in 28 games; and that after falling behind inside five minutes!
A brief report can be read here, while Facebook page pics can be viewed here.