A Casual Christmas Present

Saturday 21st December

ER County League Division 4

Easington Utd Casuals 4 Cottingham Rangers 1 

It has been a long time coming.  Twelve league games in fact; fourteen matches if you throw in the two first-time cup exits along the way.  But now, as we approach Christmas the Casuals have finally got their season up and running…and in some style too.

Having witnessed the First Team continue their recent improved run the previous weekend, courtesy of a 3-1 home win over Brodsworth Welfare, I approached Low Farm for this one hoping that the “feel good factor” at the ground may just help give DC’s boys the lift they so desperately required.

Not that the signs were good.  The previous weekend a 7-0 drubbing at leaders Blue Bell Nafferton had left them rooted at the foot of the Division 4 table and seemingly already consigned to a return whence they came two years’ earlier.

In addition the player-base continued to get smaller and this weekend was the last full working one for most before the Yuletide Break…which meant the added complications thrown up by ‘Mad Friday’ the day before the game.
As it turned out the lack of Reserves fixture meant DC could just about scrape a full 14-man squad – although the manager didn’t help things by himself succumbing to the aforementioned Friday’s festivities.  A place on the subs bench was all he could commit to.
Elsewhere, the availability of Wicks brought much-needed guidance to an inexperienced midfield, while at the heart of the defence was a McNaught brothers partnership first forged in the late 1980s!

 

Before kick-off the younger McNaught, Andrew – aka ‘Biff’ – was presented with a memento of him having recently become the third player to make 700 appearances for Easington.  His smile as he received the gift from Vice-Chairman Mickey Bo would be matched by that at the end of a very enjoyable ninety minutes.

Cottingham Rangers AFC was founded in September 1972 following a conversation between two dads, namely Mr Ron Brown and Mr Brian Metcalf.  This came about because Westfield School in Cottingham did not run a football team. The two agreed that all the boys in Cottingham Rangers would come from Cottingham and Skidby area, and would attend Cottingham High School.  It was decided between them to form two teams, the younger team being managed by Mr Brown, with Mr Metcalf managing the older team.

From this humble beginning Cottingham Rangers has grown in stature not only on the playing field front, but off it as well with significant community links formed with Swift Caravans (the main sponsor) and partnerships with local schools through the FA's School- Club Link programme and the University of Hull Sports & Leisure department.

The club now runs teams from U8's through to open-age, as well as catering for younger children within the community at the club's mini soccer school for children from 5 upwards.

Currently, Cottingham Rangers boasts 17 teams, with members in the East Riding county League, Hull Sunday Boys League and the East Riding Girls League.  At this moment in time the Club has in the region of 400 children associated with Cottingham Rangers AFC.
Players now come to the club from all over the East Riding of Yorkshire as well as from the City of Hull.

Of more relevance to today’s game, Cottingham arrived at Low Farm comfortably situated in mid-table and already having been one of the Casuals’ conquerors.  This came via a 4-2 win at King George VI Playing Fields earlier in the season.  However, today the roles would be reversed.

I arrived at the game just after kick-off but it was immediately apparent that we’d got the bit between our teeth.  And, following the first of umpteen missed chances, we scored; Ben Akam linking well with one of this season’s new boys Andy Dawson before strolling on and beating the Rangers keeper with a coolness that bordered on arrogance.

For a side that came into the game in such low spirits, the goal suddenly inspired a wave of confidence through the ranks and Tom Emerson added a second after more fine work by Dawson.  Two up at the break, the only concern for the hardy Farm Faithful was that chances continued to be missed.

At the other end Brettles – the latest of this season’s numerous stand-in keepers – carried an air of authority sadly lacking for much of the season.  And on the few occasions he was extended he was – largely – up to the task.

However, when he was beaten by Paul Shipley’s second half header further missed chances had prompted a feeling of anxiety among players and spectators.  Emerson’s second – a superb strike from 25 yards – soon settled this.  

An official match report (with pics courtesy of Craig Stephenson) can be found here
Pictures of the game can also be found on our Facebook page

If only…

Saturday 12th November

East Riding CFA Junior Country Cup R2

Easington United Casuals 2 Driffield E. I. Reserves 2

(After Extra-Time; Driffield won 7-6 on pens)

A week after the Stiffs had safely negotiated their passage into the last eight of the County Cup, it was the Casuals’ turn to try and emulate them.  And with the Bentley game postponed, it afforded me the chance to watch them do it.

Their task was somewhat more difficult given that their opponents – Driffield Evening Institute Reserves – play their football in the Premier Division of the Driffield & District League.  Since reorganisation of the ERCFA competitions a few years back, the Junior Country Cup does seem to cover a wider divisional range of clubs.  For example, the Casuals could have faced teams from as high as Division 2 of their own league in addition to those from the upper echelons of the Driffield, York and/or Scarborough leagues.

Not that manager ‘Maccer’ was unduly worried.  Since this blog last visited his boys, they’d extended their unblemished start in the league to eight wins out of eight, establishing a 10pt lead from nearest rivals Haltemprice in the process.

Up for the cup

In addition, the previous Saturday they had dumped hitherto unbeaten Division 4 leaders Nafferton Old Boys out of the League Cup.  After several barren years the Casuals were finally having a season to remember. 

In the event they came within a whisker of making it even more memorable, as the match report here explains.  It was a magnificent effort by Maccer's men and one that further reinforces the view that this season will at last yield some silverware.  But of course people went home thinking about what might have been had Lewis not dallied with the goal at his mercy; or had the referee seen the goalkeeper holding Hoppy back in the final minute of extra-time; or had DC just hit the bloody thing instead of taking a touch; or had either of the two earlier missed spot-kicks gone in... If only.

Fun in the sun

Saturday 1st October
East Riding Senior Country Cup R1
Easington United Reserves 3 Riccall United 1
ERCFL Div 5
Easington United 6 Withernsea Thirds 0

It's supposed to be October.  Not only does that mean the start of long, dark nights and cold, murky mornings but it also usually coincides with an early exit from the East Riding County FA cup competitions for our three teams.

Well, in pretty much the same way that nobody thought to tell the weather we've moved on to autumn, somebody in our Stiffs' set-up forgot to read the preceived script when it came to their first round tie in the ERCFA Senior Country Cup tie.  So as the Low Farm Faithful basked in the unseasonable temperatures, the red-hot Reserves romped to victory against their much fancied opponents.

Meanwhile, across the ditch, our third-string were putting it up their local rivals from Withernsea big-time.  Six unanswered goals ensuring a fourth straight win and the Casuals' best ever start to a County League campaign.  All-in-all it's what Saturdays were made for.

"You've only come to watch the Riccall"

As soon as the draw for the opening round of the Senior Country Cup threw up a tie against Riccall, I decided to eschew whatever fixture the First Team might have that same day.  As it was, lack of The Pistol and his Riding School Express again for the trip to Yorkshire Main ensured I would not be Edlington-bound.

The village of Riccall lies just north of Selby and 9 miles south of York.  Despite its location in what is now North Yorkshire, "it is historically part of the East Riding".  Hence its football club, Riccall United, enters the  East Riding County FA cup competitions.
Riccall was the site of the base camp of Harold Hardrada, the Norse king who landed on the banks of the River Ouse in 1066 as part of his ill-fated attempt to wrestle the throne of England. 

One for Wilky

Riccall United Football Club was founded in 1919 with a Junior section added some ninety years later. They boast a long history of success in all competitions including the aforementioned East Riding cups. (Unfortunately their club website is in desperate need of updating - something manager Liam Bradley said was "in hand" when I spoke to him ahead of the game).Among the ERCFA Cup wins are two in the Senior Country competition, 1974/75 and 2009/10.  Last season they reached the semi-finals.  They thumped us 4-0 en route (the same margin of victory as achieved on their only previous trip to Low Farm - en route to a place in the 1997/98 ERCFA Junior Country Cup Final).  In 2008/09 they lifted the ERCFA Intermediate Country Cup.  In short, Riccall do not exit County Cup competitions early doors...until now.

I'd produced a programme for the game.  I don't usually bother for the Reserves or indeed the Casuals but saw this as an opportunity to try and attract new customers as it were.  Not sure I succeeded.  No matter, the Stiffs did.  You can read details of how here.



For once Riccall's cup run ends before it has begun...

Meanwhile, on the famous "Pitch Across The Ditch", the Casuals were intent on maintaining their one hundred per cent start to the ER County League Division 5 campaign against Withernsea, a side they'd lost to pre-season.  Hmm.
They say revenge is a dish best served cold don't they? Well it was anything but as the Seasiders were effectively put to the sword before half-time.

That'll be in then

Twice inside the first half-hour we heard cheers from across the ditch, both times seeing the teams form-up again ready to kick-off after a goal for the team in white.  Therefore it was a pleasant surprise moments later when a supporter wandering across from the Casuals game in search of a cuppa informed us it was actually 4-0 to the locals. 
However, more amusing was the reply from the first guy I'd asked for an update, some twenty minutes earlier:

"What score is it over there mate?  Are we one up?"

"We aren't playing mate, it's Patrington v Withernsea over there."

"Er, no, it's our Casuals v Withernsea...'Patrington Garage' are the shirt sponsors."

"Oh, right. Well, yeah, we're winning one-nil then."

Excellent stuff.

And so will that

And it got better - as you can read about here.  Young 'Hoppy' the new goal scoring sensation took his tally to 11 in four games, prompting his manager to wager a bet already that nobody will pip him to the Golden Boot.  Hmm, perhaps I ought to suggest to the Reserves manager that the youngster might be ready for the step-up...

A couple of pints of Tetleys were enjoyed in the Granby, washed down nicely by news of Nick Barmby's goal which sent the mighty Tigers back into the Championship top six.  If Maccer wants to make small bets about his goal scorers, may I commit myself to one that sees big things ahead for Nigel Pearson's young charges?

Hope for the future

Unfortunately, the day wouldn't be a complete success.  A final text from stand-in reporter Pete B brought confirmation of a solitary goal reverse for the Firsts at the pre-season title favourites.

I wouldn't let that get me down and as I sank a few bottles of fine ale at my old mucker Fuller's house (Badger's England's Gold, Wells Bombardier Burning Gold) it was safe in the knowledge that at least one of our teams would be in the hat for the second round of their very own "FA" cup.

To the beach tomorrow...it must be October!

Thanks to Burt Graham and Colin Brammer for the photos

Easington's own Jeff Stelling

Saturday 24th September
CML North
Bentley Colliery 1 Easington United 2
ERCFL Premier Div
Sculcoates Amateurs 4 Easington United Reserves 1
ERCFL Div 5
Brandesburton Academy 3 Easington United Casuals 6

Saturday was a first for Easington United Association Football Club as all three clubs went live on Twitter.  Well, almost.  

In truth, two out of three went live (I didn't have a mobile contact at the Casuals game).  

Actually it was more one and a bit out of three (my lines of contact with the Reserves appeared to be affected by Scully's second-string's goals and referee Brett Foster's issue of cards!).

 

But at least the coverage from the First Team's first ever win at Bentley Colliery was comprehensive, given that I had Mozzer, Pete B and Burt on the case!

And so, in between cutting the grass and attending all those put-off jobs at home for the afternoon, I manned the mobile and updated the club's official twitter feed.  And I enjoyed it immensely.  No, honestly I did.  

Can't wait to get back to some live action this week though...

Steaming

Saturday 10th September
ERCFL Premier Div
Easington Utd Reserves 4 Beverley Town Reserves 3
ERCFL Div 5
Easington Utd Casuals 5 Howden AFC Thirds 3

The kids went back to school last week.  You could hear the collective cheers of thousands of parents (mainly mums) around the East Riding and beyond.

Just prior to the Slushettes' return on the Wednesday (which it would appear was at least a day behind every other school in the country) we shot off up the coast for a final family "mini-break" of the year - sandwiched in-between the draw with Clipstone and the Moverley Memorial win of course. 

What do you mean it's cold?!

Scarborough was our eventual destination on the Sunday, with a nice stop-off at Flamborough thrown in for good measure.  Despite the temperature being a few degrees cooler and conditions much cloudier than the previous afternoon, it didn't deter the Slushettes from finding much to amuse them in the small part of beach left by an incoming tide. 

Having completed the testing ascent back up to the cliff-top (you want to try carrying the Younger Slushette up however many steps it is!), we headed off to our "home" for the night, the Clifton Hotel in Scarborough.

Prime real estate

Owned by the English Rose group the Clifton had recently gone into administration, which is so sad when you see the place itself and, in particular, the superb location it commands overlooking North Bay.

After an enjoyable and very comfortable stay (although we did eschew breakfast in favour of the superb nearby Watermark Cafe) it was to Thornton-le-Dale and a rendezvous with "Grandma & Grandad Slush" for a trip aboard the Pickering to Whitby steam train.

A bloody good way to start the day

I'v had some cracking trips on these classic old coaches, setting off from the evocative surrounds of Pickering Station and heading off across the splendid North Yorkshire Moors through Levisham, Goathland and Grosmont.  One particular snowy New Year's Eve trip stands out - it included copious amounts of Camerons Strongarm in 'The Adensfield Arms' of Heartbeat fame (or The Goathland Hotel to give it the proper title).  Last year I'd bought Mrs Slush a seat on the NYMR's annual 'Murder Mystery' special, along with several friends and we all had an absolutely belting evening.

This latest trip was somewhat quieter but none the less enjoyable and following an hour's stop-off at the aforementioned Goathland it was on to Whitby.

"Won't that confuse the spotters?"

I love Whitby.  I'm particularly fond of the way it manages to combine tourist destination, resort, fishing town and place of historic interest - not to mention home to numerous real ale hostelries.  Not that I would get chance to sample any (the nearest I got was lookingly longingly at perhaps the best "Specials Board" I've ever seen...in the superb Hadleys Fish Restaurant).

A breezy trip into the bay aboard the Esk Belle II was followed by a hugely enjoyable musically nostalgic jaunt on Charlotte The Charabanc before, alas, it was time to head for the station and the start of the journey home.  Work (and school!) awaited us on our return.  Still, I had a football match to look forward to the following evening.
The last midweek game of pre-season (see previous blog post) always smacks of the end of summer to me. And the weather conditions that accompanied it certainly bore more than a hint of the oncoming autumn.

The best ride I've had in ages

Thursday brought news I'd feared but had expected - The Riding School Express was still off the road.  There would be no Pistol for Dronfield.  It appeared that we may also be short of players.  The first weekend of the new East Riding County League season was threatening to be fraught with last minute selection headaches. 

I smiled at Meddy's initial reaction.  I had tried to warn the new 'Stiffs Supremo' in the summer that Second-string management was fraught with problems and you had to be extremely lucky to win anything with a Reserve team (as I was back in 95/96 when some, ahem, over-generosity from the then first team boss allowed my side to lift the County League Division 4 title in its first season!).

The Stiffs - packin' em in!

If Thursday set the alarm bells ringing, Friday signalled a full blown siren wail.  Another late First Team drop-out had prompted another pull on the Stiffs' already stretched resources.  At this point I imagined having a management resignation on my hands before the season's even started!

Thankfully, matters were eventually resolved and having met up with the First Team Skip in Patrington to ensure he set off for Derbyshire with the correct kit aboard his vehicle, I returned to the Farm to settle down for an afternoon of County League action.

Where there's Hope there's goals it would seem

Having the Reserves at home on the same day as the Casuals is a bit like having a "Red Button" at your disposal - which game shall I watch?
I opted initially for the "main feature" in which Beverley Town Reserves provided the Reserves' oppo in the Premier Division opener.  Table-toppers for much of the 2008/09 season, the Beavers had lost out to Howden Amateurs in the championship play-off and had struggled to reach such heights since.  Indeed, the previous campaign had seen them finish below us for the first time since promotion.

Town secretary Gary Proud is a fellow member of the League management committee and always good for a natter.  As the game got underway we exchanged pleasantries and views on how both teams may shape up in the coming weeks.

The optimism I expressed appeared justified as first the returning Shane Keyworth then 'Thommo' put us two goals to the good.

However, before the break Beverley - who lost their goalkeeper with injury on the half-hour (extending what Gary explained had been a terrible run of injuries through pre-season) - gained a foothold in the game.  It set the tone for what was to follow.

A Casual affair

I'd actually missed our second and Town's first due to popping across the ditch to catch-up with the Casuals.

Arriving at this one with Chairman in tow, we found the sides all square at one apiece.  That soon changed.  Within minutes of taking up our place on the "home" touchline, new boy "Hoppy" had scored goals two and three of a debut hat-trick.  Impressive stuff.

It must be said that the Howden defence looked dreadful.  When confirming the game their secretary had told me, "Their (the players) enthusiasm  perhaps exceeds their ability".  It certainly looked that way - particularly at the back.  "Hoppy" set up Kris Akam for 4-1 before completing a memorable first 45 minutes league action for the Ezzie by bagging his own fourth before the break.

5-1, game surely won and time to pop back for a coffee and the Stiffs' second half.  But what's this?  Just as we left a quite entertaining bout of handbags erupted in the far corner, which soon involved three or four players from both sides.  The young referee quickly calmed things down before issuing...a yellow card to each of the main protagonists!  As Tommy Trinder would no doubt have said, "You lucky people!"

Could go far this lot...Goole, Beverley, Little Weighton...

The second half of the Reserves game proved hugely entertaining, with the Stiffs never quite able to convert their undoubted superiority into enough goals to shake off the resilient Beavers.  In the event, Shane's second and a goal from returning strike partner Jimmy Dawson helped secure a 4-3 win.

With the Casuals holding on to record a 5-3 success following a "below-par" second half performance over the ditch (and another spot of handbags, this time between two members of the same "enthusiastic" Howden team!) it had proved an enjoyable first afternoon for the thirty-odd spectators dotted between both games.  Next up for both teams were two tricky-looking away games.  We'd perhaps know more about their prospects after these...

Looking down on things

Monday 22nd August
Friendly

Easington Utd Reserves 4 Hall Road Rangers U20 1

Thursday 25th August
Friendlies

Withernsea Reserves 2 Easington United Reserves 7

Withernsea Thirds 6 Easington United Casuals 4

One of the good things about this busiest time of year - pre-season - is the chance it affords to catch up with our "other two teams".  And the week leading up to the August Bank Holiday allowed me to do just that.

Having kicked-off their pre-season with a home win over HPL side St Andrews, the Reserves had been forced to wait for their next outing while new manager Meddy enjoyed a family holiday in the Florida sun.

Thus a schedule of four matches in two weeks had been arranged to enable him and incoming coach Lee to decide on who would be figuring when the "serious stuff" starts on 10th September (in the event, one of these - the away trip to Bridlington Town's new Academy side - would fall by the wayside).

First up for the Stiffs (and first chance for me to see them live) was Lee East's Hall Road Rangers U20s, members of the newly formed East Riding CFA Under-21 league competition.  As one of only four semi-professional clubs in the area, Hall Road Rangers have pedigree and their start to life in this year's NCEL Premier Division would suggest manager Billy Heath is on course to repeat the sort of success he enjoyed up the coast at Bridlington.

As such, it was thought the Under-20s would consist of some of the East Riding's brightest young talent and therefore provide a decent test for Meddy's men.  They did.
What perhaps wasn't expected was something of a ragtag and bobtail look in the kit department, which involved one of their number playing the full game in grey marl t-shirt (an obvious drawback of the "take your own kit home and wash it" policy). 

As often the case for evening matches, I was a late arrival at Low Farm (accompanied by the Elder Slushette) but I got there just in time to see Frosty - again deputising between the sticks in the absence of a "regular" goalie - produce an absolutely stonking reflex to stop to preserve parity at 0-0.

The lone Ranger's choice of shirt is usurped only by our keeper's combo!

Returning Ezzie old boys Shane Keyworth and Jimmy Dawson were again leading the line for the Stiffs, accompanied tonight in a 4-3-3 line-up by yet another "prodigal son", Paul Wilkinson.  There's some goals in that trio, I thought.
And true to form it was from one of them that we took a first half lead, Daws firing home at the second attempt.  Chances would come and go before the visitors drew level on the stroke of half-time.
The second half wasn't quite as one-sided as the scoreline would suggest.  In particular, both Andy Milbank and the aforementioned Wilks benefitted from "borderline" offside decisions at crucial times, with Shane's late goal (or was it an 'og'?) completing the 4-1 win.
Meddy again reiteretated that "there's nowt to this management lark" and whilst things will get decidedly more difficult once the league campaign gets underway, there is a growing feeling that the Stiffs are building a very competitive squad this term.

A goal on Wilks' return prompts much, er, indifference among the Faithful

This was reinforced three nights later at the Hull Road home of "rivals" Withernsea, where both our County League squads were matched up against the second and third strings of their Seasiders hosts.
I arrived in time to find us up in one, down in one and this is how the games would finish, albeit the "up" being somewhat more convincing.
Trying to combine watching both games with sorting out a suitable toilet for the Elder Slushette meant I missed out on some top quality goals.  However, I did happen to stood directly in line behind young rising star Jordan Hart as he floated in a free-kick from 40 yards that somehow ended up in the home net.
As it was a pretty convincing 7-2 win was completed by the Reserves; Shane adding a hat-trick to his impressive pre-season tally, with partner Dawson and the aforementioned Hart baging a brace apiece.
As for the Casuals, a spirited rally from four goals down to 3-4 and then again at 4-5 couldn't avert eventual defeat by six goals to four.  Still, I'm sure Maccer and assistant DC would take this in exchange for a repeat of last season's league double against the same opposition.
It would be back to the serious stuff come the weekend but for now I could rest assured that the future of the club looks in pretty good shape.

Thanks to Burt Graham for the photos

Another anti-climax.

Tuesday 3rd May - Easington Utd Reserves 2 Park Athletic 6; Easington Utd Casuals 4 Withernsea Thirds 2

Saturday 7th May - Easington Utd Reserves 2 Driffield Evening Institute 4
Saturday 14th May - Easington Utd Reserves v South Cave Utd & Easington Utd Casuals v South Cave Utd Thirds - Home Walkover's

Away from the glamorous world of Central Midlands League football, complete with its match programmes, half-time cups of tea and the occasional tannoy system, things have also been building to a climax in the local East Riding County League.

There are titles to be decided, relegation issues to sort out and in the case of the Casuals - sixth spot in Division 5 to be won.  Oh, and there's some local bragging rights to be bagged.

And of course, this being the County League there's the usual bets on how many "home walkover" results and 0-0 draws will be confirmed. 

To be continued...

Casually returning to the fold

Saturday 8th January - 

Thorngumbald Trinity 3 Easington Utd Casuals 1

Wardie is amazed to still see his feet ater a fortnight's Festive feasting!

Plumtree Road, Thorngumbald has never been the happiest of hunting grounds for me.  From memory (and without the aid of the official records stacked up here in what constitutes a study in our house) I can recall only one win of any real note in the time I've been involved with the club.

That came in the early Nineties when then hosts Thorngumbald AFC, then a County League Premier Division side under legendary Holderness one-man-band Arthur Brummitt, saw their superior league status brushed aside; beaten in a memorable South Holderness Cup semi-final win by the young upstarts of the East End.  It goes without saying that we were then unable to repeat the feat in the Final...but that's another story!

Other than this most memories of playing and/or managing at Plumtree, both at junior and senior level, are shadowed by defeat.

In short, it's not at the top of my list of favourite away grounds.

Dawson perfects a kicking technique straight out of the game of 'Striker'

And it remains so following this latest visit, in which the Casuals (aka our Third XI) extended their run without a win to three months, courtesy of a 3-1 defeat at the County League's newest members, Thorngumbald Trinity.

In fairness, thanks to blank weeks and postponed fixtures, the barren run only amounts to six games.  Even so, it's a somewhat depressing sequence given the Casuals' blistering start to the campaign.  Three wins out of three had them top of the tree in early October...admittedly, the "tree" in question is Division 5 of the East Riding County League, the sixth of six divisions therein.  Still we all have to start somewhere.

As I've no doubt mused in the past, there's something about watching our third-string in action that takes me back to the "good old days" of Easington football.

In other words to an era when we'd do well to scrape eleven blokes together at kick-off time, especially at away games where - pre-mobile phones - it would almost be a miracle if at least one player hadn't got lost en route.  Our ambitions for the season were no loftier than to avoid the wooden spoon in our respective division (usually the basement one or next one up) and to enjoy a run in the Holmpton Invitation Cup (the Holderness equivalent of the Johnson Paint Trophy...but without the Wembley final).

"Build it...and they will come!"

Several survivors of those days are still involved.  Indeed Player/Manager Iain McNaught - known in proper football tradition as "Maccer" - is in the fortunate position of picking a team each week in which he can include himself, thus extending his current club record of appearances towards the 700 mark.  Today's was number 680.

At the start of the season, "Maccer" stood level with fellow veteran John Clarke on 672 and there are many who suspected foul play when the latter's campaign was curtailed by injury during the pre-season friendlies.  Clarke remains on 672 and unlikely to add to this in the forseeable future.

In fairness, perhaps McNaught ought to be out in front on his own.  Older than his closest rival and having made his debut earlier, the current boss would have already been looking at a healthy lead had he not spent a season on the touchline early on in his Eastenders career.  This was as the the result of an ERCFA ban after he'd naively called into question the parentage of a match official...and then lost the subsequent appeal.

A reformed character in terms of discipline, the current Casuals boss is still definitely "old school" when it comes to pre-match preparations.  And I don't just mean the Friday night session down his local, "Blackies" in Preston.  

While our senior squad and to a lesser extent the Reserves are put through a rigorous warm-up schedule that is dependent on prompt arrival and good time-keeping, the Casuals' approach is, er, somewhat more laid back.  Still, it's quite amusing to see said manager round his players up beforehand for a pep talk, urging good shape, discipline and an intensity from the start...before squeezing in another crafty smoke just prior to kick-off.

A sight for the purists

Iain's Number Two, Danny Campbell, is known as "The Passionate One" with no explanation required.  What he lacks in natural ability he more than compensates for with the proverbial "heart the size of a dustbin lid".  And he's getting a chassis to match.

The manager's younger brother "Biff" (don't ask) provides further experience in the ranks as do skipper Darren Dawson, the returning Jodi Stow and Steve Ward (aka Ted Hankey).

However, the real bonus for the Casuals this term has been the emergence of a crop of keen and not unpromising youngsters, spearheaded by striker Kurt Johansson (still to score this term!), midfielder Ben Akam, defenders Lewis Green and Pat Tomlinson, and newest recruit Jordan Wray - whose appearances so far on the pitch have paled in comparison to those on a certain well-known social networking site.

Along with this welcome mix, for the first time since taking the reins of the third team, "Maccer" has got himself a goal scorer in Karl Hodgson.  A bit of an enigma, "Hodgy" arrived with a CV that numbered the ERCFA Juniors and NCEL side Winterton Rangers among his past clubs.  On this basis and a couple of training sessions, he was thrust into the First Team squad at Thorne Colliery in October 2009.  It's been all slightly downhill since.

No matter though as Karl is now the fulcrum around which all Casuals attacks pivot.  With five goals in as many games coming into this one (plus two in four for the Reserves) there was little wonder that his role - on the evidence of what I saw in this match - involves taking every free-kick, corner and throw-in awarded Easington's way.  He's even above wearing club issue shorts and socks...he's THAT good.  For Roy of the Rovers read Karl of the Casuals.

Tickets marked "Restricted View"

I must admit to not being in the best of moods as I made the short trip westwards across Holderness.  Not only had our game against Parkhouse once again fallen victim to the elements (see previous blog) but that morning I'd also found out that landlady Christine and family were set to leave our post-match watering hole, with almost immediate effect.  Another victim - indirectly - of Britain's changing drinking habits.

Of course the first Saturday of the New Year is traditionally accompanied by what was once regarded as one of the biggest days in the football calendar - the FA Cup Third Round.  But we all know what happened there.

And so, despite Hull City hosting "top flight" side Wigan at the KC in a tie that had potential shock written all over it, I forsook the chance to attend in favour of lending my support more locally.  (Of course the fact that a trip to Thorngumbald was cheaper and could yield much-needed Brownie Points on account of it being in close proximity to the in-laws had no bearing on my decision whatsoever.)

Accompanied to the game by the Younger Slushette, my chances of seeing an uninterrupted ninety minutes were always rated at no more than slim.  And barely fifteen minutes in, I was dragged off for the first of several visits to the adjoining play-park.  Not the best vantage point I've found at a ground.

At least the distraction of standing guard while my youngest proceeded to climb, jump and slide up, across and down every piece of apparatus there was allowed me a few moments to reflect on the venue itself and how little it has changed since I played there for Easington's under-14's...and lost of course.  Usually heavily.

Interestingly (or not) Plumtree Road was once also home to the current Mrs Slush.  Indeed many of my mother-in-law's Saturday afternoons were brightened up just before two o'clock by the sight of several grown men stood against her back garden fence, relieving themselves of some, er, pre-match tension. But I digress.

Despite the obstructed view, I still saw enough to know that the Casuals were unlucky to come off a goal down at the break; and this an unfortunate 'OG' by youngster Green following a fine save by keeper Duggie.

Bodies everywhere...uh-oh, it's Roy of the Rovers...



It's alright - he'd simply been dazzled by the referee's outfit



Into the second half and the Younger Slushette's request to return to her Gran's to finish the jigsaw she'd started before kick-off meant a ten-minute absence from the game.  As we headed down Plumtree back towards the current Cooper residence on Hooks Lane a muffled cheer could be heard from whence we'd come.  An equaliser perhaps?

On my return, to my disappointment, I learned the cheer was from the home contingent.  Two down and with the excesses of the recent Festive season starting to show, I feared the worst.

Moments later, young Kurt came off - having extended his goalless run by another game - to be greeted by sympathetic words from substitute Hankey.

"Another game without scoring Kurt?"

"Another game on the bench Wardie?" came the reply.  Like it Kurt, like it.  Good ol' fashioned piss-taking is still alive at Casuals level.



DC keeps alive his hopes of the Golden Boot

Wardie (looking even more Ted Hankey-like when eventually stripped of his warm-up layers) was on by the time the "killer" third went in, a speculative cross that somehow eluded Duggie to drop in at the far post.

By this time the cocky young home keeper was getting on my nerves a little.  Not least when he backed up his verbals with one superb stop from Hodgson and a flukey one from Green - the keeper sitting on the shot as the ball threatened to squirm under him.

In the dying moments, Hodgy went down with what he first feared was ankle ligament damage, only to eventually turn out to be a slightly askew shinpad.  "Maccer" could rest easy.

The Casuals then attained some measure of respectability thanks to a "DC" penalty; fired home - just - past my new best friend keeper and followed with the asst-boss's customary retrieval of the ball from the net and an urge to "Come on, we can still win this!" 

We couldn't.  And we didn't.

In conclusion, our hosts look well set to follow in their Plumtree Road predecessors' footsteps.  They've got some good youngsters in the ranks, as well as some fairly gobby ones, and similar to the aforementioned Mr Brummitt they have a dedicated man at the helm in Chris Jordan.  Perhaps not the right term but Jordan has "groomed" the team from very junior level and should be lauded for his efforts.

The day's high point

One of the prize pubs on April's End-of-Season Holderness Pub Crawl, post-match venue the Crooked Billet at Ryehill stocks a fine selection of hand-pulled ales, from which I opted for a Jennings "Soggy Bottom".  Coupled with a Carlsberg, it was my first experience of post-VAT rise beer buying - nearly six quid for two pints! 

Unfortunately, with many of the home side yet to attain legal drinking status the home turnout in the pub was somewhat on the low side.  Not that we minded - extra sarnies are always well received by a team with a Campbell in the ranks.

However, the absence of our hosts did make for a distinct lack of post-match analysis and the low-key atmosphere was compounded by news on the box of The Tigers' early exit from the FA Cup.  Oh well, at least my decision to opt for a day at Plumtree had been vindicated.  And we were calling at Patrington chippie for tea.  Post-match fish & chips?  Oh yes, back to the good old days.