Broken Dreams...on Noddle Hill Way

Tuesday 19th April - ER County League President's Trophy Round 4 - Wawne Ferry 2 Easington United Reserves 2 (Wawne won 5-4 on penalties)
Wednesday 20th April - Hutton Cranswick United (away) Lost 1-2

I currently have four books on the go.  In my drawer at work is "The Frontline", which as its sub-title ("Battling For the Boro") would suggest, is the Middlesbrough FC contribution to hooli-lit by John Theone.  It has been loaned me by a workmate who hails from Smoggie Land and it currently helps pass the time at lunch.

Of the remaining trio, two are of the military history genre - Barry Turner's "Suez 1956" and "To The Last Round" by Andrew Salmond.  The latter, which is the story of the "Epic British Stand On The Imjin River" during the Korean War, is a title I've had for some time but only got round to picking up following this piece in the Daily Telegraph.

Completing the quartet and currently occupying pride of place on my bedside is "Broken Dreams".  It's the 2010 debut novel (or "first urban thriller" as stated in the product description) by Hull writer Nick Quantrill.  The author gives a decent introduction to it on this video but I stumbled across him when the Hull Daily Mail ran a piece about a regular feature Nick was planning for this season's Hull KR match programme.  It was from this that I learnt that "Broken Dreams" was a crime thriller set in his home city (winning start) and whose hero, fictional private eye Joe Geraghty, was a one-time player with The Robins (sold!).

How ironic then that having first picked up this tale of Broken Dreams set in some of Hull's more seedier districts, I should find myself on the, er, distinctive setting of Noddle Hill Playing Fields watching our Reserves' own "dreams" of retaining the County League President's Cup "broken" in the cruellest of fashion.

Look at what you could have won...again

The ER County League President's Trophy, or H. E. Dean Cup, is often referred to as the most prestigious piece of silverware in the League's locker.  This is mainly due to the fact that it is the only cup on offer to every member club (although participation is optional).

Therefore, unlike the respective league cup competitions - which are usually split across two divisions (Senior - Premier/Div 1, Junior - Divs 2/3, Harold Robinson - Divs 4/5 etc) the President's Trophy allows an ambitious high-flier from the League's basement chance to have a pop at some of the "big boys".

For the past few years, fixture backlog has prompted the League Committee to move the competition to April/May with ties played in midweek.  To help with the logistics, the competition was split into East & West sections.

And last year we won it!

The memories of that red-hot afternoon at Bridlington Town's Queensgate ground are among some of my finest in over twenty years involvement with The Eastenders.  Particularly as it offered some of the club's "lesser lights" chance to share in the sort of limelight normally reserved for the First Team squad.

It's not Queensgate

The manner of the win was similar to that in the 1999 East Riding County FA Intermediate Cup Final.  On both occasions we'd turned up very much the underdogs, withstood plenty of early pressure, taken the lead slightly against the run of play then gone on to complete a pretty imperious victory.

Two survivors of the 1999 ERCFA Cup win - 'Nige' Rutter and Craig Foster - had shared in last season's League Cup success and were also on duty as the Stiffs faced the toughest test yet of their cup defence, at Premier Division leaders Wawne Ferry.

I almost didn't make the game.  With apathy high on the agenda and many other would-be travellers opting for the following night's CML derby at Hutton Cranswick, I was resigned to following the game by mobile phone...

That is until 'Biff' McNaught came to the rescue.  In truth I'd thought he'd been left out of the squad but on hearing otherwise, arrangements were made and at 5.45pm we met at Ottringham and set off for the delights of Noddle Hill Way.

My chauffeur's late arrival due to "some pigs having come in at just before half-past" lent a slightly surreal air to proceedings and I allowed myself a smile while wondering how many of Wawne's players had ever seen a pig, let alone handle one!

On arrival at the ground, both squads were going through their paces ahead of a game that the hosts and their large home following obviously felt they would win comfortably.  Indeed, given the margin of victory for them in both recent league meetings (5-0 and 6-1) most of the sizeable Holderness contingent also thought the game could turn out to be a touch one-sided!

The early passages of play lent themselves to this view as the United rearguard, marshalled by the aforementioned Rutter, was put under immediate pressure; this despite manager Appleyard having opted for a 4-5-1 formation that was expected to stifle the hosts' creativity from midfield.

Is that a Noddle Hill behind the home "throng"?

However, after surviving the odd scare and a host of needlessly conceded free-kicks, we had the first sniff of goal when Frosty put Thommo through.  He shot straight at goalkeeper Paul Drayton (brother of prolific Sculcoates Amateurs striker Danny).  I looked at Fozzy's dad John - we both wondered whether we'd get another opportunity as good.

Left back Adam Metcalf produced one goal-line block as Wawne got on the front foot.  We'd be happy to get to the break goalless.

But what's this?  We only went and scored.  Fine work by The Stumo, a cross with the outside of his left peg and a neat finish from Frosty.  We led 1-0.

"Get in there!" I shouted - much to the amusement of the home touchline.

The cry was soon to be returned with interest - although not before Frosty should have doubled our lead.  This time it was Adam M and the Stumo combining to set him free but the shot was off target.

You just knew we would pay for that miss.  And we did, the otherwise rock-like Rutter being brushed aside by the powerful home number 9 who fired past Jonny Pindar.  "Get in there!" indeed.

That came on 42 minutes.  Amazingly, though, we were back in front before the break.  Fitzy whipped in a delightful free-kick that Fozzy swept home on the half-volley.  I didn't shout quite so loud this time.

'Biff' smiles at the HT instructions to "Hit it in the corners & pray like f__K!"

When a Wawne forward missed a great chance early in the second half I finally began to believe this might just be our night.  But the pressure eventually told and on 65mins it was 2-2.

All talk along our touchline was of whether we would now be swept aside and possibly embarrassed.  Or could we hit back again?  We should have done.

Three times Frosty got himself into great positions - cutting in to be denied by Drayton on the first, popping the ball up into the keeper's arms when caught in two minds on the second and thwarted by a defender's covering tackle on the third.

Meanwhile, supported well by the promising Jammer at centre-half, the Stiffs were limiting Wawne to few real openings of their own and it was the hosts who were more relieved to hear Referee Sprangle blow for full time.  And penalties.

Easington sides traditionally have good records in penalty shoot-outs.  I should have been confident.  I wasn't.

"What pens are we on Grandad? Don't fancy first one in sudden death..."

Up stepped Gav Thurkettle (included in the fifteen-man squad as sub and on for the hard-working Thommo).  A good striker of a ball...it flew high and wide.  Shit!

Both sides then scored excellent penalties, with Fitzy, Fozzy and Nige maintaining interest at 3-3.  But Wawne had the pen in hand...until Pindar guessed correctly and saved their fourth.

Stumo stepped up to put us in the box seat.  And scored.  4-3.

The final Wawne taker had to score to take it to sudden death.  Oh and for a glorious split-second it appeared he hadn't as the ball pinged againt the underside of the bar in the top corner, bounced bown...and back into the net.

And so to sudden death where, somewhat surprisingly, youngster Luke Nettleship stepped forward for us.  His penalty was saved and the Wawnester after him made no mistake with his.  We'd lost 5-4.  Our reign as East Riding County League President's Trophy winners was over.  For now.

There was little time to dwell on the night's misfortunes.  The following day I jumped in with Shotgun Burt and headed off to Rotsea Lane, home of Hutton Cranswick United...

If it's Wednesday, it must be Rotsea

Conversation en route to Hutton was dominated by speculation surrounding the First Team and any fallout from the "clear the air" session prior to the draw with Phoenix.  Of course we also found room for reminiscing about Shotgun's days on the school buses...but enough of that now.

We arrived at Rotsea Lane in reasonable time and I was pleased to see the full squad there and looking keen.  It's quite ironic that this fixture now constitutes our "local derby" having been one of the longer trips in the old Humber Premier League days.

At least the ill-fitting tag ensured that the lads appeared to have a new-found sense of purpose about them; at least according to Mack that is.  I think several of them still felt they'd let themselves down in our first meeting back in August (I rather fancy that several of them may have let themselves down quite regularly since).

Lino Dave Cupit plays "hide the ball" with the mascot. Oh...

Our association with Hutton Cranswick United is not that old, given that we both came together during the first season of the HPL in 2000/01.  However, it has easily become one of the most amicable and hospitable of any we enjoy.

And sure enough, the usual suspects - Denis, Jim and club secretary Paul - were on hand to ensure we were made to feel very welcome on what was a bright but bitingly cool evening.

The looks on our lads' faces are somehwat worrying in this shot!

The pitch looked in tremendous nick and, after our hosts had enjoyed a promising start, we began to take a grip on proceedings, forcing our hosts on to the back foot.  Indeed, there appeared to be a general consensus from those around the ground that we were a tad unfortunate to not to come off a goal or two to the good at the break.

Set-pieces in particular appeared to cause problems for home keeper Ryan Ramsden, while Andy M - playing against his former team-mates - should perhaps have done better when promising balls came his way.

The net bulges...but not in the way we'd hoped

Frosty forced a good early save out of the keeper and was also unlucky to be denied a penalty when he appeared to be clipped when outstripping the full-back.  Meanwhile, there were 43 minutes on my watch before Hutton Cranswick ("Cranny") had their first meaningful attempt on goal - and it wasn't far off either.

Although enjoying my half-time cuppa in the genial company of the home committee members, I had the nagging feeling that the lack of cutting edge would come back to haunt us.

"You watch, we'll lose this two-nil", I said.

Worryingly, nobody disagreed.

Dodge the ball time!

Joining the sizeable away contingent on the far side for the start of the second half, my sense of foreboding was frowned upon by those aroound me.  And a similarly positive start to the second half managed to persuade me - temporarily at least - that my fears were misplaced.  Then " Cranny scored.

Poor marking at a throw-in was punished when Kris Walmsley was given time and room to slot home.

Suddenly the home side were confident.  They knocked the ball around well, their movement went up a gear.  We were hanging on.  Then it was 2-0.

Fine work down the right from Danny Cousins culminated in a superb cross that one-time Withernsea man Ash Marriott met with a thumping header.  All my half-time predictions were coming true.

Some light relief for our predicament was to be found in the banter between some members of our support (Farny's dad mainly!) and referee's assistant Dave Cupit.  Every "correct" (as we deemed it) raise of the flag for a "Cranny" offside was greeted by compliments and hints that his mark for the night was on the rise.

"If onny you'd given that penalty fost 'arf, thoo'd be on 'undred for toneet!"

Different goalmouth, same result

Jamie Cousins had entered the fray for the first time in several months when replacing Ricky Kemp just prior to the second goal and he began to have a major influence on the game.

Within two minutes of Marriott's goal, we should have replied; JC linking well with Man Mountain but the latter pulled his shot wide when it looked easier to score.

Suddenly, though, we were back in the game. Chav and Man Mountain had switched with Owen beginning to cause havoc down home side's left.  And five minutes after his earlier miss, he capped a flying run with a crisp finish inside Ramsden's left-hand post.  2-1, game back on.

Game on...for now

Gav replaced Andy M and with ten minutes to go looked to have finally netted his 100th First Team goal (and our equaliser) only for a defender to bundle his header from Farny's deep cross off the line.

Then as the gathering gloom threatened to curtail the injury-time prompted by two lengthy stoppages, Man Mountain again burst clear.  But Ramsden came to the rescue.  Close.  But no cigar.  More "broken dreams".

For once there were few recriminations back in the changing room.  We knew our efforts had deserved more and aside from Charlie having his usual thirty-seconds worth of nonsensical ranting - well, he is a goalkeeper - the mood was one of positivity.  We had been beaten but, unlike the game at the Farm, perhaps not by a better team.

Post-match hospitality was to be found at The White Horse, where unfortunately there was to be no Everards Sunchaser as when I'd last visited.  Still, the Deuchars IPA was on sterling form as was the chilli.  Throw in some intelligent post-match conversation and it all added up to a night that whilst not being the most productive, was still among the more enjoyable I've had this season. 

Pics courtesy of Burt Graham and my little 'Point & Press'

Phoenix Uprisings

Tuesday 12th April - Easington Utd Reserves 5 Priory Athletic3
Saturday 16th April - Phoenix FC (home)Drew 1-1

I didn't take the South Normanton defeat very well.  And after a few days dwelling on some of the things that had occurred during the afternoon, I vented my spleen in the following week's programme notes, for the game against Phoenix...

Frustration is certainly a word that sums up the current mood among those involved with our management.

Our recent performances have left Dave almost speechless.  To go from the high of the Yorkshire Main result to the low of Thorne and then last week’s below-par display against South Normanton almost defies any worthwhile analysis.

It’s therefore almost a blessing for Mack that the pressures of a new day job have prevented him from being able to pen his notes this weekend.  And with assistant Ian also snowed under with work commitments, it’s left to me to try and put across some thoughts on the current situation.

Having witnessed the debacle at Thorne Colliery first-hand, like everyone else I expected some sort of reaction last week; which is why I found the performance against South Normanton extremely frustrating.

On the face of it, 3-0 is an emphatic scoreline and probably underlines the visitors’ superiority on the day.  However, the fact that – individually and collectively - we didn’t help our cause leaves me really disappointed.

By this I don’t just mean the habit we’ve developed of conceding goals in batches.  This in itself is worrying enough but I think the current problems run much deeper than simple mistakes on the pitch.  Many are becoming apparent even before a ball has been kicked.

As opponents, South Normanton were no better than Yorkshire Main.  But whereas everybody was really “up” for the latter game, I got the feeling last week that there was a certain “end of season air” about the place.  Perhaps inspired by the Thorne defeat, I don’t know.  But I do know that if the same attitude is adopted today and at Hutton Cranswick on Wednesday, we’ll be on the end of further defeats.

At our level of football, the Committee and Management cannot govern what players do in their private lives.  We rely on their own self-discipline to ensure they arrive on match days in the best frame, physically and mentally, to play football.  It’s been apparent for some time that this is not happening.

Add the fact that we are no longer able to hold regular training sessions and it’s easy to see why we are now slipping below the standards we set ourselves at the end of last season.

Confirmation of our status at Step 7 for 2011/12 means only four clubs in the East Riding are now able to offer a higher level of football than is available at Low Farm.  All are semi-professional, with three of them representing sizeable urban areas.

For a village the size of Easington to have progressed to this status is testament to the hard work of a significant number of people over several years.  Many of those who have put this work in did so in the knowledge that they wouldn’t directly benefit from it.  And this is why it galls me to see the current “lax” attitude being adopted by some of those who will get a chance to test themselves against quality opponents week-in, week-out.

It’s also disappointing for our loyal supporters, especially that hardy band who follow us across the “Central Midlands” region. 

Away from match day, the fact that we were forced to give up one of the best training facilities in the area due simply to not being able to justify the cost also still rankles me and again prompts the question: do the players at this club really have the same appetite as the Committee to continue taking things forward?

The win over Yorkshire Main and that at Hucknall earlier this season would suggest they do; the attitude on show at Thorne, again last week and in truth on several other occasions this season tells a very different story. 

So it’s time for the players to make up their minds as to where they want to ply their trade on a Saturday afternoon.  Do they want to continue to try and better themselves or are they content to drop back into the Saturday afternoon equivalent of “pub football”?  These are the questions I’ll be asking of them today.

Make no mistake about it; we have let ourselves down this season and especially in recent weeks – but we still have time to rectify the situation by finishing strongly, beginning here today.

You know when the minute something appears in print and you immediately wish you hadn't said it?  Well, this was one of those moments.  But only for a split-second.  And after re-reading my own words a couple of times, I felt satisfied that if nothing else, I'd got a load off my chest.
Plus the fact that, given I'd had these typed and printed up early in the week, I had a few days in which to reconsider any points where I felt I may have stepped a little too far over the mark before the players themselves read them.

Away from events at Low Farm, good wins for City (at Watford), Rovers (over the Whinos) and an opening-match success for Yorkshire in the County Championship had ensured all was far from doom and gloom in my own "world of sport".  But of course, our First Team result shapes my weekend...
Another thing dominating the weekend was the injury sustained by the Younger Slushette at her sister's birthday party on the Saturday night.  This resulted in a trip to A & E at Hull Royal and a subsequent appointment at the Fracture Clinic!  Indirectly it  also allowed the Elder Slushette a "sleepover" at one of her friends...so at least somebody was happy about things!
Monday night brought a meeting of the Easington Recreation & Sports Association, the organisation set up back in the early-90s to "secure and develop a piece of land for the purposes of sport & recreation in the village".
I was on the original Committee but stood down after a difference of opinion with the then Chairman.  I've been back on it, so to speak, for two years now (since the aforementioned Chairman himself resigned).  During my absence, a piece of land was secured (i.e. bought) but trying to develop it has proved difficult given the scale of the plans proposed and the cost these entail.
But this meeting promised a sort of "rebirth" for the ERSA, with several budding new members and a proposal to in effect scale down the existing plans to something more attainable.  Wearing my Football Club hat alongside my ERSA one, I could see nothing but benefits from the acceptance of such proposals and as such I went home that night a contented soul.

Muck or Nettleship

Tuesday was H. E. Dean Cup night again, with Division 4 side Priory Athletic the  3rd Round visitors to the Farm.
I arrived just in time to see the Stiffs take the lead - very much against the run of play - courtesy of Luke Nettleship's first goal for the club; a close-range volley after the keeper could only palm Stumo's header into his path.
Belying their lowly status, however, Priory were knocking the ball about confidently and they turned the game completely on its head...albeit aided by a couple of "clangers" from keeper Duggie!
By the break, order had been restored; Stumo heading home as did Lewis Green, although he was helped in no small part by a complete misjudgment from the Priory netminder.

"Ah..."

The second half brought further goals for Stu and Frosty, with the visitors netting a third near the end - reward for their never-say-die spirit and no shortage of footballing ability.
A bonus on the night was the reappearance at Low Farm of Hutchie, back from  University.  Sadly, it appears it was only for one game before he departed on an overseas jolly - it's tough being a student these days!

A Hutch in the hutch

"Anymore messing around and you won't play in the quarters..."

With Club Sec Judy away for a couple of days (and taking in Bradford Park Avenue v Hucknall Town while at it!), it was left to the Dynamic Duo of Chairman Doug and Vice-Chair Mickey Bo to run the Tea Hut.  Cue plenty of abuse from the Farm Faithful and no shortage of "mickey-taking" from their fellow Committee members.  Still, despite at times looking like Chard & Bromhead in Zulu, overall they coped admirably and - if pushed to admit it - I think they probably enjoyed themselves!

No Feeding Please

The evening's feel-good factor was maintained on getting home to catch commentary of City's deserved draw at The Liberty Stadium.  "We are Hull City, we don't lose away!"  And had Robbie Koren shown just a little more composure in front of goal we could have even been celebrating a cracking win.  Still, the Play-offs remain in reach...
With Saturday's match programme safely put to bed, I tried to use the latter end of the week to catch up on this blog.  Along the way, my trawling of the net came up with a couple of real gems.
For a start the Retro To Go site was offering 1980s Adidas Samoa trainers at a penny shy of £57!  Jeez, I'm still wearing a pair I bought for less than half that some ten years ago...hip ahead of my time!  
And staying with the Eighties, I also stumbled upon this musical gem from the early part of that era.  Although the actual quality is sadly lacking, it served to immediately transport me back to the Friday rock 'n' roll nights at Hull's Goodfellowship Inn.  I was "only sixteen" when I first ventured through the doors - allowed in by special permission of the landlord - and can still remember the sight that confronted me.  Aside from the handful of middle-aged Teds, the vast majority of the 200-odd present were dressed straight out of a US High School Hop, all flat tops, peg pants and cat chains.
  

Wild nights at The Goodfellowship

Two gigs in particular stand out, The Blue Cats (whose 'Wild Night' was "Sounds Single of the Week" in 1981!) and The Jets (whose 'Love Makes The World Go Round 'received an airing on Q The 80s not so long back).  However, although they never played there, the reason why it's The Meteors footage that brings back memories of such times is on account of a character called "Gypsy Steve".  It's hard to describe how he looked - apart from pointing to the audience in this 1981 promo for "Graveyard Stomp" - but "manic" is about the nearest one-word summation!  I decided to adopt the same look...which probably accounts for my lack of success with the ladies for a large chunk of that time.  Ah, but they were great days all the same.
For much of Thursday it appeared that "great days" were also back on the agenda for Yorkshire County Cricket Club as they reduced Durham to 134-6 on day one of their latest County Championship match.  Unfortunately my "tweet" predicting a wagging of the visitors' tail was to prove somewhat prophetic; worse still, it would be followed by a Yorkshire collapse the following day.

My first "local"

As wickets continued to fall at Headingley, I decided to go and introduce myself to the new "Mine Hosts" at The White Horse (or "The Oss" as its known locally) on the Friday lunchtime.  I did so and was delighted to be informed that the new landlord "likes his ales".  Hand-pulled Black Sheep and Abbot's had me excited about the future.
Not sure about the short-term future for Hull KR though.  Unforced errors killed them in a 16-28 home defeat at the hands of Wigan and prompted several callers to Humberside demanding Coach Justin Morgan's resignation.  Cocks.
Mind you, I did amuse myself with the thought that defeat at home to Rotherham based strugglers Phoenix on Saturday afternoon might prompt similar calls for regime change from the Farm Faithful!
Knowing Mack as I do, it's in the knowledge that he too will be far from happy with current goings-on at first team level.  As such he'd asked the players to be there half-an-hour earlier for a pre-match "meeting".
Unwittingly I somewhat hijacked this to explain the views I'd outlined in the programme.  This seemed to knock Mack off his stride but he too then proceeded to get the message across that an improvement in all departments was needed.
Well, he certainly got that.  But he didn't get the three points.  And for this, Phoenix could thank "third choice" keeper James Wood who produced a string of fine saves.
The visitors were also helped by some good fortune and some poor Easington finishing.  Thankfully, Blounty came up with a goal on the stroke of half-time to cancel out Steven Parry's opener.

Wood proves a firm barrier...

...along with his defenders

Phew!

But try as we might after the break - and especially in the last twenty minutes when we really did hammer at the Phoenix door - no winning goal was forthcoming.  "Frustration at the Farm" just about summed it up perfectly.  Still, Hull City won... 

Thanks to Burt Graham for (most of) the photography

Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside

Saturday 22nd May
ER County League President's (H. E. Dean) Cup Final

Easington United Reserves 4 Viking Raiders 0

 A happy bunch of Stiffs!

The hottest day of the year and the hottest ticket in town for the Reserves.  After a season of four managers, many players and even more disappointments, the Stiffs had found themselves in a cup final.  And not just any old cup final but the East Riding County Football League's most prestigious cup final - the H. E. Dean Cup Final.

Named in recognition of the League President (it's official title is the ER County League President's Challenge Trophy presented by H. E. Dean Esq. (1937-1975)) it is the only piece of silverware that every member club can challenge for.
It was first lifted in 1977 by the all-conquering Sir Leo Schultz YC side.  Meanwhile, Easington United's record throughout the competition's 33-year history is pretty dire...or rather, it had been.
For the past few years the H. E. Dean Cup has been regionalised and run on a midweek basis towards the season's end.  The idea originally being to retain Saturday afternoons for league games, thus reducing the number of matches that would have to be rescheduled due to poor weather.  And given the awful winter experienced this season, it has again proved an inspired decision.
And so on the hottest day of the year, accompanied by the Elder Slushette, I boarded a Pearsons Travel coach bound for Bridlington.
Thanks to the generosity of Bridlington Town chairman - and all-round good egg (apart from the fact he's a Hull FC fan) - Pete Smurthwaite, Queensgate has provided a top-class venue for all four showpiece County League Cup finals.

Lock up your sheep...the Casuals are here

 

On 8 May the venue saw AFC Goods Office win the League Senior Cup (Premier Division & Division 1) and Haltemprice Rangers the Harold Robinson Cup (Divisions 4 & 5).  Today - Saturday 22 May - would see the remaining pieces of silverware up for grabs; a high noon meeting of Leven Members Club Reserves and The Barrel Walkington for the League Junior Cup (Divisions 2 & 3) before the Stiffs' date with destiny at 3pm.
Well, that's how it should have panned out.  Only nobody gave a thought to the first final not running to time.  And so as we pulled into Queensgate at 1.48pm and I could see action still taking place on the pitch, my only hope was that some "Fergie time" was being played at the end of a stoppage-ridden encounter.
No such luck.  Our fears were soon confirmed when ERCFL Secretary Roger Smith, bearing the frown of somebody whose best laid plans have just been well and truly scuppered, informed me that this was indeed the first period of extra-time.  And to make matters worse, Leven had only equalised just minutes from the end of the ninety.

 Turned out nice again!

At least the delay allowed time to scan round the ground and take in what was a very encouraging sight...or two.  Not knowing any official figures I'd hazard a guess there were over 200 inside the ground for the Junior Cup Final, the vast majority of who were decked out - quite bizarrely given the weather - in green & white bar scarves with "Walkington FC" rather snazzily embroidered at each end.
Two coachloads had made the trip across to see former Hull City  "star" Leigh Palin's  side attempt to add to their runners-up place in Division 3 and semi-final appearance in the H. E. Dean Cup - not a bad double for a team in its first season.  And although their hopes appeared to be dealt another blow when Leven took the lead with a cracking strike early in extra-time, a tremendous free-kick right on half-time had the by-now familiar "Green Arrrrrmy" chants again ringing round Queensgate.
Not that Roger Smith or the members of Easington Utd Reserves and Viking Raiders were enjoying the prospect of even more time being taken to find a winner!
Some of our party spent the extra time afforded them productively - in the clubhouse bar.  Others waited nervously for their own action to begin. 
No further goals meant the Junior Cup Final went to penalties, during which crowd favourites Walkington played the part of England to the full...by f___ing up big style. 

Leven play the part of the Germans in the penalty shootout

Despite a quicker-than-usual trophy presentation, the Stiffs' own showpiece event was to be delayed by half-an-hour.  This in turn created problems, with the time between the final's scheduled conclusion and the start of the night's Annual Presentation Evening being reduced even further.
Decisions were taken and phone calls made, delaying the night's organised transport to accommodate the changes.  Now let's just hope our own game doesn't go to pens!

This could be Inter at the Bernabeau

There appeared little danger of that early on.  In the opening 20 minutes or so Viking looked in a hurry to administer a third beating of the season, following convincing wins in both Premier Division encounters.
Pagey was forced into a fine stop while the Stiffs appeared slow in coming to terms with the organisational set-up of manager Kevin "Jose" Appleyard.  And their cause wasn't helped when a stray elbow forced Beattie off the field with the umpteenth broken nose of his playing career.
But then came a break of a more positive nature.  Young Jeffery started it from the back, finding wingman Frosty down the right.  He in turn held things up well before teeing-up Beattie's replacement Brownski whose pinpoint cross was met by Jeffery's glancing header; the man who'd started the move ending it in style as the ball arrowed inside the keeper's far post.  1-0 to the underdogs. "Green (& Gold) Arrrmy!"

 Their names about to be written in history, err...

Suddenly league form counted for nothing and by the break we could have been two up while Viking could (should?) have been down to ten; goalkeeper Richardson escaping with a yellow when hauling Frost down on the edge of the box.
Frosty was proving a real thorn in the Raiders' rear, as was his left-wing counterpart Fitzy and these two again helped the Stiffs reassert control early in the second half.
Twice Frost went close to making it 2-0, once Richardson and once a defender denying him.  Then it was the Vikings turn; Pagey being forced into two tip-over saves and great defensive interventions from Jammo and then Fitzy preventing the Goole side from levelling.

  The Fitz & Frost Show

Twenty minutes from time and deciding to take up position behind the Vikings goal following yet another toilet request from my eldest, I suddenly found myself in prime position to see the Stiffs settle matters.
First The Stumo took delivery of Foster's slide rule pass before steering the ball expertly beyond Richardson.  Two minutes later Fozzy kept up his record of scoring great goals at Queensgate courtesy of a thumping 25-yarder into the top corner.  3-0 and a very nice piece of silverware was en route to the Humber Riviera!

 Postman Stumo's first class delivery...

...while Foz has some barmy bald keeper congratulating him

Fittingly Frost and Fitzgerald combined for the fourth before Raiders' misery was completed by a late dismissal.  As their players, management and entourage became more and more abusive towards officialdom, the Ezzie contingent in the "Bus Shelter" behind the dugouts lapped it all up.

Four fcuking nil!

At ten past five Geordie referee Mike Elliott gave the three shrill blasts on his whistle that signalled "Easington United Reserves - ER County League President's Trophy Winners 2009/10".  Well chuffed.

 A well done Yorkshire Pudding

While the Eastenders celebrated, I jumped in with the McNaught brothers for the trip home.  The annual end-of-season bash was due to start in just over two hours' time...

Special thanks to Dom Taylor for some of the above shots 

Taking Stock

Tuesday 20^th  April – Long Riston Reserves 1 Easington Utd Reserves 5

Wednesday 21^st April – Hull City 0 Aston Villa 2

Saturday 24^th April – Dronfield Town (home) Won 3-0

Tuesday 27^th April – Highland Laddie FC 0 Easington Utd Reserves 4

Sometimes things come along that make you ask yourself if all the effort is worth it.  

Last week, in the wake of the “Battle of Bulwell” (as some of our party have already begun to refer to it) was one of those occasions.

I’ve had such moments before.  Certainly in recent years, since the Slushettes arrived on the scene, there are times when it would seem that life itself is playing second-fiddle to football in general and Easington United in particular.

Prior to the Bulwell game I’d already decided – reluctantly – to relinquish my position as the East Riding County League’s Development Officer, knowing that the logical next step would be to end my 14-year-long membership of the Management Committee altogether.

After the events at Goosedale, and particularly in relation to the specific allegations made against members of our club, there was an overwhelming feeling to pull the plug on my football commitments completely.

Where's it gonna drop?

To counter these feelings, I decided on a trip to see the Reserves in action at Long Riston in the quarter-finals of the H. E. Dean Cup.  Against a side some two divisions lower in league stature the game should provide the ideal opportunity to regain my appetite…hmm.

All went well first half as the Stiffs raced into a three-goal lead, courtesy of a hat-trick from Frosty – unable to regain his first team place since sustaining an injury at Kiveton Park back in January.

The pace of Frost and “Fitzy Torres” allied to Fozzy’s experience was proving too much for the Riston defence and as the game entered the second half you could sense the frustration growing in the home ranks.

 The Fitzy & Frosty Show

When “Nige” headed home the locals’ fourth before the hour mark the tie was won…but the hosts weren’t suppressed.  A couple of “late ones” had Committee man Hodgy predicting, “This’ll tonn into a kicking match if ref dunt gerra grip”.  He was right.

Luke Jeffery’s foul allowed Riston a reply from the spot before a handball in the opposite box saw Fozzy score from similar circumstances to restore the four goal cushion.  Then the hosts imploded.

 The calm before the implosion

The fuse was lit when young Danny Cundill was fouled as he shepherded the ball safely into touch near the corner flag.  The perpetrator then took it upon himself to decide to pick a fight with almost anyone and everyone.  After he’d been shown red, his skipper took up the mantle as did several of the management and subs.  The net result: another Riston red as well as one to Frosty – for “self defence in the face of extreme provocation”.  Still 35 days son!

As we travelled home, courtesy of South Stand regular (& Volunteer Groundsman) Tom, with driver and Hodgy recounting days of old when all games carried a bit of edge, I found myself more dismayed than when I’d set off.  Still, I was bound for the KC Stadium the next night.  That would lift the spirits…

 A rather unfortunate choice of front cover as it turned out

Due to there being no midweek games at the time that Adam Pearson introduced the new match day prices for the remainder of the current season, I’d declined his invitation to pay a fiver then to minimise the increase later.  Indeed, I’d almost forgotten all about the new prices…until my ticket source at work reminded me, “It’s £32.50 to get in now y’know?”  I could’ve wept.

I won’t go into details about the game.  Along with the subsequent defeat by Sun’lan that sees The Tigers facing up to Championship football again next season, it’s been covered far more expertly elsewhere.

All I would add is that if Temporary Football Management Consultant Iain Dowie thinks we dominated “sixty minutes” of that game, I’ve turned into Ray Milland in the 1945 classic “The Lost Weekend” for at least forty of them.

Whilst in the ground I noticed Hull KR coach “Justinho” Morgan taking up his seat some six rows in front.  For a moment I wondered if his FC counterpart Rich Agar might also be there – but then I thought, no, the KC couldn’t cope with having two unpopular home coaches in the ground at the same time!

Thursday brought my first football-free night of the week.  “Great” exclaimed Mrs Slush, “I might actually see you tonight!”  Yes I replied, we can watch the second of the Leaders Debates together.  I’ve still got the bruise.

The final one of the season

And so to the weekend.  With the Message Boards still carrying plenty of content relating to the previous weekend, I was a touch apprehensive as we approached the visit of third-placed Dronfield Town.

I wasn’t the only one.  Dave was getting concerned that his players were still focussing on events past rather than present; this was a massive game for both clubs.  Victory for us retained our hopes of a top three finish, a win for Dronfield and allied to anything other than 3pts for Church Warsop v Hutton Cranswick kept the title alive for another week.

 "Just 'od on ref, me dad takes a picture of this moment every week!"

A decent day weather-wise and no fixtures for the County League squads helped attract a decent crowd to The Farm (with the pre-planned “Ezzie Bevy Bus Round The Back of Beyond” planned for that evening also encouraging those who wanted to make an early start!).

 One, Two and should have been Three

We certainly made an early start, Chav volleying home Mozzer’s pass inside 6mins.  On twenty we went two up courtesy of a great finish from Thommo.  And had AG found the power and accuracy on a free header, it would have been three points in the bag by the break.

As it was we were (again) indebted to a fine save from “fans favourite” Chaz just before the interval.

Early in the second half, smallest player on the pitch Gav headed us into a 3-0 lead.  There was no way back for the Derbyshire side.

 "We're the Farm Shed, we're the Farm Shed, the Farm Shed Easington..."

 "...We're the South Stand, we're the South Stand, the South Stand Easington!"

Low Farm was a great place to be on Saturday (even as news of City's relegation filtered through).  The decent weather and lack of County League action ensured we had a good atmosphere down there, especially among the other squad players.  This manifested itself in some good banter with referee’s assistant Kevin Blackburn – running the line in front of “The Farm Shed” – and Dronfield number 11 Ian Parkes.

Hutch makes a mess of the game's last chance

The scenes in the changing rooms afterwards were chaotic as players jostled for position in order to be showered (and sometimes even shaved – Farny), changed and out for the night’s serious business…leaving muggings here to try and clear away as best I could, get locked up and round to the Neppy in time to pay the match officials (and slide down a very welcome pint of Black Sheep) before getting myself home and spruced up for the evening’s joviality.

Three not so wise men!

Nights like the “Ezzie Bevy Bus Round The Back Of Beyond” come along all too rarely.  But when they work as well as this one did, they serve to remind people just what it is that makes Easington United such a cracking club to be part of.

Our route took us through Welwick (Coach & Horses), Patrington (Holderness Inn, Hildyard Arms), Keyingham (Ship Inn), Ryehill (Crooked Billet) and Thorngumbald (Barn Farm) before finishing at The Haven Arms in Hedon.  From there the bus deposited the hardy nighthawks in Hull for further consumption before taking the rest of us home to our beds.

  The taste of the Lakes can be found in Ryehill

Beer-wise, I’d chosen the pubs well: Great Newsome Sleck Dust, Marston Pedigree, Sharp Doom Bar, Jennings Stickle Pike, Caledonian 80/-, Yorkshire Terrier and Spitfire were all enjoyed immensely with the only let-down of the evening being a rather tepid Tetley Cask in Keyingham.  

The feel-good factor created at the weekend was maintained on Tuesday night when the Stiffs confirmed their place in the final of the league's H. E. Dean Cup - the first time the Club has ever been represented in this prestigious event.

 An elevated view of a Stiffs semi-final

 Given what had gone beforehand, it was almost predictable that the passage wouldn't be straightforward.  And so, after Frosty (2), Fozzy and Fitzy had established a 4-0 lead just past the hour against Division 3 strugglers Highland Laddie, the East Hull side's goalkeeper decided to take his protest at the fourth that step too far.  His attempted assault on the referee prompted abandonment of the game.

Thankfully - or not depending on your point of view - a precedent had already been set for such an incident in an earlier round.  And by Wednesday morning it was confirmed, the Stiffs were off to Brid on 22nd May.

Their opponents will be fellow Premier Division side Viking Raiders.  Ironically the two teams meet tomorrow in the league at Low Farm.  I'll be there - a wedding party prevents my participation in the day's events at Clipstone Welfare's ground where Mack's men will look to beat "hosts" Thoresby Colliery and gain the first of three wins that will ensure a runners-up spot in the CML.

Now THAT would make all the hassle of the past week or so worth it...

Thanks to Burt G & Dooley Cousins for the shots