March 2014

The good news was that March proved a full month of fixtures with no interruptions from the weather; the bad news was that we failed to pick up a solitary win from any of them!

Still, a month that began with a heavy home defeat at the hands of Bentley Colliery at least ended on something of a high – the return of a couple of old favourites in time to help secure a point at Phoenix...

Saturday 1st March

CML North Division

Easington United 1 Bentley Colliery 4

The previous season’s meeting with Bentley had seen us come out on the right end of an amazing 8-5 scoreline.  Unfortunately, it would be our visitors who returned to the home of the best pies in the league with the points, as we failed to build on the promise of the previous Saturday’s hard-earned point at Sherwood.

Making the afternoon even more disappointing was that the game marked Andy G’s first game in charge following The Sumo’s midweek resignation due to increased work and other commitments.

The official match report can be found here.

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

Saturday 8th March

CML North Division

Easington United 3 Askern 3

To my disappointment, I’d missed the away game – and new ground tick - at Askern just prior to Christmas.  I’m glad I didn’t miss this one as both teams served up a very entertaining six-goal thriller...and a decent case of handbags as well!  Unfortunately, failure to kill the game off meant our winless run went on...

The official match report can be found here.

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

Sunday 9th March

FA Cup Round 6

Hull City 3 Sunderland 0

An FA Cup quarter-final in Hull and only 16,000 home fans bothering to see it – just how bad is that? As my brother-in-law said to me beforehand, have City fans really become so blasé about success; surely not?

As it was, the large Mackems travelling support helped contribute to a decent atmosphere and by the end of the game the Younger Slushette had extended her winning run with the Tigers to three games in which City have score 13 goals and conceded none!

A fan's view of the game comes from City Independent's Ian Waterson as part of a decent piece run in the Hull Daily Mail prior to the Final.

In addition, Amber Nectar carried it's own fine report, while a national perspective was given by Louise Taylor in The Guardian.

As for me, I decided to buy a little reminder of a magic moment...

 Saturday 15th March

CML North Division

AFC Mansfield 4 Easington United 0

Hmm, perhaps not the first choice of match with which to tie-in my birthday (two days earlier) but for 40 minutes it promised to be one of those proper “I was there...” moments.  That’s because one of the youngest line-ups ever fielded at First Team level had more than held their title-chasing hosts.  Indeed we’d actually enjoyed the better chances.  Then the Bulls scored.  After the break they soon added a second and that was about that.

The official match report can be found here.

AFC Mansfield’s report (with pictures) can be found here.

The Facebook pictures can be found here.

Saturday 22nd March

CML North Division

Easington United 2 Newark Town 5

Newark were another team whose first visit to the ‘Humber Riviera’ attracted a decent away following but was also marked by one of the most miserable days of the season weather-wise!  Still, the visitors returned to Nottinghamshire buoyed by a victory that was all-too-easy for Andy Graham’s liking.

The official match report can be found here.

Newark’s report (with pictures) can be found here.

The Facebook pictures can be found here.

Saturday 29th March

CML North Division

Phoenix 2 Easington United 2

The return of a couple of familiar faces (as part of six deadline day signings completed by AG) helped inspire us to a fine away point at Brinsworth, especially given that the lads were forced to come from two down to do it.

The noise from the nearby New York Stadium, where Rotherham United were edging nearer to a League One play-off place, made for a slightly surreal pitch-side atmosphere.  Meanwhile, the choice of three hand-pulled ales in the clubhouse helped maintain this venue as one of my favourite on the calendar (I opted for Barnsley Bitter and Pheasantry PA).  

The official match report can be found here.

The Facebook pictures can be found here.

Make me an offer I can't refuse

Does anybody come out of the Michael Turner episode with credit?

Since the conclusion of the latest transfer window Hull City supporters have been venting their spleen via various media outlets regarding the sale of their “star man” Michael Turner.
As someone whose interest in City is now very much secondary, I must be careful what I say but I must admit I find some of the comments I’ve read and/or heard a tad extreme.
Whilst I’m not the biggest Phil Brown fan, I do think some of the vitriol hurled his way over the move has been ridiculous. From the player’s own quotes it appears clear that he wanted out. Therefore the manager’s hands were tied; end of.
The biggest disappointment for me will come if it’s eventually proved that the deal is worth significantly less than the supposed £12M asking price; that and the fact that City left themselves no real scope to find a replacement.
However, where I appear to disagree with many of the internet posters and phone-in callers is in thinking that Turner comes out of this completely clean. He reportedly went to “further develop” his career at Sunderland. Really? They might be “bigger” in terms of history, crowds and money but they won’t win any silverware or trouble the top four this season. Call me a cynic but I reckon the wages on offer might have had more to do with the decision? Not knocking that as a reason but wouldn’t it be refreshing if a player came out and said so?
The nearest thing we have to the “transfer window” at our level is the annual pre-season scramble to sign players on before anyone else, followed by the messing about when a player then changes his mind before the league season kicks-off. Usually this results in the first club ripping up the original form without any need for a transfer. Not so this year however.
Having already signed Joni Purse and Brett Fisk on ERCFL forms before both then popped up at Low Farm, our neighbours Withernsea were understandably a little hacked-off when Mark Thompson and Owen Mountain both announced their intention to make the same move; even more so when Pasha Brown soon turned quartet into quintet.
As such ‘The Seasiders’ invoked the rules. Thus whereas Owen has since transferred, both Mark and Pasha will now have to wait, 28 days and 56 days respectively, before joining him. And the league season doesn’t kick off until next weekend.
While appreciating how peeved our rivals must have been to see five players wanting to move to the “East End”, all their actions have done is stop lads from playing football. Not to mention sowing seeds that will probably ensure those same players would think twice about returning in the future.
And let’s face it, at least Owen and co really have come to “further develop” their playing careers. Unlike a certain Michael Turner perhaps…