Bring me laughter

Sumo fronts the Farm's ‘Fun Boy Three’!

‘The Sumo’ is back! 
Six years after he last occupied the Low Farm “hot seat”, Sean McLaughlin returns to succeed the man who succeeded him.  And first impressions would suggest the natives are quite happy with the appointment.

Pleasingly, among those extending their best wishes for the future was the man he’s replacing; pleasingly too, these wishes were much appreciated and reciprocated by the incoming boss.  It’s no secret that there has been plenty of acrimony in the past between both so any potential thaw in relations is welcome!

It’s not only Dave with whom Sean hasn’t always seen eye-to-eye in recent times.  It took a party at New Year 2011 to help me and our "new" manager settle our particular differences, following several football-related disagreements.

Sumo's speech has Nige counting ball panels (Burt Graham)

But all that’s in the past.  It’s time now to look forward and from the feedback received after last Saturday’s first training session, it would appear we have reason to be cheerful.

Sean’s appointment was confirmed last Wednesday (4th) with the Committee opting for the former boss ahead of several other candidates, following advertising of the post locally and via the internet.

One of those losing out in the final reckoning, Nicho, had his disappointment cushioned by the alternative offer of a coaching role in the new-look set-up.  Meanwhile, club captain Andy Graham – seen by many as a future Eastenders boss – has taken his first step on the ladder by being appointed asst-mgr.

Sumo has been quick to set out his stall to the players, saying he wants them to begin enjoying their football again after what was a difficult 2011/12.  Not surprisingly this went down well - with the exception of an unnamed goalkeeper who, it would appear, would prefer to win while not enjoying himself!?  Or perhaps I’m being harsh. 

That's it...put a smile back on faces! (Burt Graham)

Anybody who interpreted Sean’s comments as a lack of ambition is greatly mistaken.  His previous honours at the club stretch way back to the ER County League Division 3 and 4 titles he helped win as a player back in 90/91 and 95/96.  Cutting his management teeth with the Reserves yielded success in the 2000/01 ER County League Junior Cup and immediate promotion to Division 2.  As assistant-boss to the legendary ‘Mickey Bo’ Wilson, he shared in the 02/03 South Holderness Cup and Withernsea Carnival triumphs, along with a hitherto unprecedented top five placing in the HPL that same season. 

Then came the coup de grace as Sean celebrated promotion to the role of First Team manager in 2003/04 by achieving a runners-up position in the league, alongside the HPL Cup and the two local trophies previously won as Bo’s number two. 
I think it’s safe to assume therefore that no team of Sean’s will simply be allowed to go through the motions!

A turn for the better? (Burt Graham)

There were some interesting faces on show for the first pre-season session at the Farm and, although history has taught me never to believe anything until there’s a signature on the dotted line, chances are that the appointment is already having an effect in terms of recruitment.

Whether we are blessed with new players will become more apparent when the lads take to the pitch for their first friendly in just over a week’s time.  This comes on 24th July when HPL side Crown provide the opposition on the impressive 4G surface at South Holderness School.
The first chance the Farm Faithful get to see Sumo’s side in action comes on Saturday 28th July when Sculcoates Amateurs, one of the leading sides in local football, are the visitors.  They are followed by the East Riding County Juniors Rep squad (Wed 1st Aug) before the locals wrap up their pre-season schedule a week later, away at Long Riston from HPL Division 1.
Why not come along for the ride - it promises to be an entertaining one...

Hats off to ‘Harry’

The departing Dave can leave with head held high

Mack: now watching from the sidelines (Burt Graham)

Having had little chance to blog in recent weeks (see previous post), it would be remiss of me to return to duties without a piece about Dave Mack’s resignation from the post of First Team manager at Easington United.

The most important thing to say is that Dave deserves an immense amount of credit for what he achieved during his six-year period in charge. 
Along with five pieces of silverware, he steered the side through several periods of reconstruction as well as what has proved to be a tough move from local to regional football.

Dave stepped up from assistant-manager to take the reins in January 2006.  It came in the wake of an embarrassing seven-goal mauling at Hutton Cranswick in the Humber Premier League and manager Sean McLaughlin’s subsequent resignation (due to overriding work and family commitments).

Despite an improved performance at home to Pocklington Town, the team failed to give Sean the send-off he deserved and so when Dave took charge of his first match, at Hedon United on Saturday, 28th January, the Eastenders had won just once in eight outings.  Ironically this - a rare success at Sculcoates Amateurs - had come under Dave’s stewardship while Sean was away.

Hedon's Drapers Lane ground was never the easiest of places to go but thanks to a Gav Thurkettle strike, the new manager got off to a winning start.   And despite a 0-1 defeat at Hornsea Town in the following week’s league cup clash, the run to the end of that first season proved a successful one.

Five wins and two draws in the remaining eight league games secured a creditable top six finish, while a resounding 4-1 victory over Withernsea at Saltend clinched the Eastenders’ seventh South Holderness Cup success.  Things were looking up.
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Pride of Holderness again - August 2011 (Colin Brammer)

In the following season Mack’s men secured a top five finish and retained the South Holderness Cup, thanks to Steve Harrod’s extra-time winner over Hedon Rangers. 

When pre-season then saw Tanton Cup winners Hornsea Town defeated on penalties in the inaugural Holderness Cup Winners Cup, hopes were high that another tilt at the HPL title could follow.  Instead, the 2007/08 season saw Dave confronted with the biggest challenge of his fledgling management career.

It had all started well enough and the Eastenders travelled to Sculcoates on 6th October as unbeaten leaders, having won six of their opening nine games.  However, a 3-1 defeat ensued and prompted a dramatic slide down the table.  Only five of the remaining 21 league games were won and United’s eleventh place finish was their worst in five seasons.  Defeat by Hedon in the South Holderness Cup semi-finals completed a disappointing campaign.

Dave’s cause wasn’t helped by the loss of several key players and he finished the season by blooding youngsters such as Anthony Barnett, Jamie Cousins, Chris Frost, James Mee, Paul Morrow, James Robinson and Luke Smith.  It was very much a case of "in at the deep end".

In a way, the manager thrived on such situations. One accusation that could never be levelled at him was lack of fight. Refusing to get downhearted, he simply regrouped and went again the following season, leading the Eastenders to an excellent fourth-placed finish in their final season in the HPL. Not surprisingly, it was some of those same youngsters who came to the fore.

In 2009/10 we came within one win of gaining promotion in our first season in the Central Midlands League and the following year we ended our recent barren run in the South Holderness Cup; victory number nine in the competition coming in front of a home crowd at the Farm.

Victory in last August’s Holderness Cup Winners Cup gave Dave his fifth piece of silverware but, much as it did in 2007, it proved something of a false dawn for what was to follow.

Last season was one beset by off-the-field problems that did much harm to First Team prospects. Indeed, just before Christmas it appeared possible that the team may even have to resign from the league. Thankfully, backed by loyal assistant Nicho, Dave again showed stomach for the fight and the tenth place finish – the club’s highest ever in terms of the Football Pyramid – proved testimony to that.

Like father, like son (Burt Graham)

So why did it all come to an end?

Well, the South Holderness Cup semi-final defeat at Withernsea (our first at the hands of our rivals in 21 outings) didn’t help.  But it was the reaction to it inside the Eastenders’ camp that really hurt.

Without wishing to open up old wounds, I was shocked by what I saw and heard that night, not to mention what was posted on a certain social network site later on.  We all knew there had been simmering resentment for much of the season among some members of the Second Team, and there had been distinct lack of communication at management level between both camps.  However, the apparent gloating at the senior squad's demise by some supposed clubmates was quite disgraceful.  It was enough for me to offer my own resignation as well as making Dave think long and hard about his own future. 
Having struggled to carry everyone with him during the campaign just gone and with plenty of whispers as to who would actually be there when the current pre-season came around, not only was Dave forced to question his position but it was also reviewed by the club's committee.
It was this uncertainty that prompted me to have a couple of long conversations with the manager, during which we discussed whether either of us wanted to face another nine months of not knowing just how many people were behind him.
For me it was a no-brainer.  My "revised" role meant I would no longer be directly involved with First Team affairs.  But for Dave it meant walking away from a job it was plain to see he cared deeply about and felt was far from finished.

In the event he tendered his resignation to the Chairman on Sunday, 10th June 2012.  It was accepted by a meeting of the Club’s management committee two days later.

The 1997 South Holderness Cup - where it all began! 

Mack’s resignation brought to an end not only six years’ involvement as manager but an association stretching back to 1997 when he made his playing debut in the club’s first ever South Holderness Cup Final success!  His last of 260 Easington appearances came as a second half substitute at Ollerton Town on 25th February this year.  

I have had many disagreements with Dave during the six-years we worked together at management level.  At times I thought he blurred boundaries between the position of manager and being "one of the lads", while there were other things he did that I would probably have handled differently.  But Dave knows this and we've always been able to talk through any such differences.  That's probably why we got on so well!  And what has never been in doubt through it all has been his willingness to tackle problems head-on in pursuit of what he saw as the right way forward for Easington United football club.  And for that he deserves the utmost respect of all with the club's interests at heart.

Player losses, fallouts over selection and an amazing turnover in backroom staff were just three of the issues that he was confronted with during his “reign”.  In addition, he had no shortage of personal matters to attend to, yet not once did he let these stop him performing his match day tasks to the best of his ability.  If there's some solace to be found in the split, it's perhaps that there should be more time now for Dave the dad to pursue son Cameron's weekend interests?

Pointing the way forward (Own photo)

To those players who stayed loyal to ‘Harry Hill’ (as they affectionately dubbed him) another thing they could be assured of was his determination to take the team as far as it can go.  This wasn’t surprising given that, as a player, he’d been one of the main cheerleaders behind the decision to enter the HPL.   Not surprisingly, Dave was also fully behind the move to the CML and would love to have been the man to take the club to the “promised land” of the Northern Counties East League.

Instead, he can only watch as the club enters another new era.  Ironically, this is under the stewardship of the returning Sumo, completing a full circle.  It's a mark of the man that Dave has set aside his own personal disappointment to wish Sean the very best.
It's to be hoped he doesn't become a stranger to Low Farm for Dave Mackay-Dundas really does deserve the gratitude of a lot of people involved with the club, some of whom should perhaps feel a tad uncomfortable with their part in his departure. 
I know I do.

Peaks and Troughs

Highs & Lows of a holiday in 'the Euro Zone'

These holiday flings never last

Mrs Slush couldn’t concentrate on her latest ‘must read’ (and before you ask, no it wasn’t 50 Shades Of Grey or some other similarly styled “clit-lit” offering).  Apparently, my “restlessness” was affecting her concentration.  I’d been like this for the previous two hours.
It had even been noticed by the Slushettes who’d both commented – en route to bed – “Dad’s in a strange mood tonight isn’t he Mum?”

But then it was over.  I suddenly stopped feeling all anxious and instead sat motionless, unable to speak.  Prompting this “calm after the storm” was Italy substitute Alessandro Diamanti who stroked his penalty past Joe Hart to confirm another competition quarter-final exit for England.  I could at last relax.  Again.
Don’t get me wrong.  It was still that same gut-wrenching disappointment I'd first really felt when Maradona’s hand had done for us back in ’86 and that has been repeated too often since.  But this time something was different.  It may sound daft but this actually felt more like the beginning of something rather than the end.  “In Roy We Trust” perhaps?  I think so.

Home from home

I watched the final chapter of England’s Euro 2012 campaign from the comfort of Lodge 16 at Darwin Forest Country Park, near Matlock in the beautiful Derbyshire Peak District.  In the event, the coinciding of our Slush Family holiday with the quarters and semis from Poland and Ukraine proved a masterstroke.  For instead of having time to dwell on England's latest failure to compete with the best in international football, I was too busy having fun with the family (although I did manage to find time to watch the midweek semi-finals!).

Having arrived on the Saturday, our first stop-off on a week’s tour of the sights and sounds of the picturesque Peaks was Crich Tramway Village.  There, to my delight, I discovered it was “Rock ‘n’ Roll” weekend complete with a cruise past of Fifties cars and performing live bands.  Sadly we’d arrived a day too late to see the previous night’s headliners The Jets but I did catch the Sunday afternoon set from Rockin’ The Joint.  Ah, it took me back to those heady days of Hull’s Goodfellowship Inn in the early Eighties!  

Monday morning took us to the lovely little town of Bakewell for Market Day.  This included a first ever trip to a livestock auction and concluded with tea in The Peacock, mine being washed down by a glorious pint or two of Peak Ales "Summer Sovereign".
(Later Peak Ales to be enjoyed in bottles included "Chatsworth Gold" and "Bakewell Best Bitter" - both come highly recommended)

Chariot of Fire

Prior to this first real “taste” of the Peaks, we’d revisited the glorious gardens, the farm and adjoining adventure playground at Chatsworth; blessed - unusually for this summer – with pleasant sunshine.

The weather also behaved itself as we rode the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway from Wirksworth up to Ravenstor then back down to Duffield.  And it was of a positively Mediterranean variety the day we assigned to Alton Towers, while even the wet bits couldn't detract from an intersting tour of Caudwell's Mill!

We enjoyed drives to Buxton (which boasts "the highest elevation of any market town in the country") and dropped deep into Darley Dale, while regularly sweeping through Matlock (passing the neat Causeway Lane home of Matlock Town FC & Matlock CC) and its smaller neighbour, Matlock Bath – home to seemingly hundreds of motorbikes every Sunday and Wednesday? 

It was in Matlock Bath where we sat atop The Heights of Abraham and became part of the once-in-a-lifetime event that was the arrival there of the Olympic Torch by cable car.  It provided the perfect end to a near perfect week.

Reasons to be cheerful - parts 1 & 2

Arriving back on the Humber Riviera in time for the Euro's final allowed me to catch up on some of the post-England exit reaction in the media.  Some of it made me thankful I’d relied mainly on Ceefax for company throughout the past seven days!

Of course, the better hacks like the Telegraph’s Henry Winter offered his usual well-thought out advice on how England can learn from Spain's approach to international football to help them move forward under Hodgson.  In fairness, he wasn’t alone in this and while Rio Ferdinand chose the opportunity to bash the boss, Phil Neville offered a rather more upbeat appraisal of the National team on BBC 5Live's 'Sportsweek'. 
Unfortunately, I read and heard similar sentiments in the immediate wake of England's embarrassing World Cup exit at Bloemfontein two years ago…only for all interest to subside as soon as the Premier League resumed the following August.

Hopefully, this time will be different.  Certainly the new manager himself appears to have made an immediate favourable impression on both players and supporters – nobody could accuse the 2012 England of not playing for their boss.  The long-awaited opening of St George’s Park will also help, while the performance of some of the England age-group teams continues to offer hope (the U19s being the latest examples). 

Watching the defining stages of the Euro's aside, I just about succeeded in ensuring this summer would provide me with at least two weeks free of all football.  This was no mean achievement given that in addition to England and the arrival of Steve Bruce at the KC Stadium, there was the small matter of a management vacancy at my own club to occupy my thoughts...

He who laughs last...

The 2012 South Holderness Cup

Part 2 - The Final

Thursday 31st May

Easington United ‘B’ 5 Withernsea ‘A’ 4

  

A week is a long time in local football.  Or rather, nine days is, as the players of Withernsea ‘A’ team have just learnt to their cost.  From ecstasy to agony is a painful journey and as I stood before the two participants in the immediate wake of the finest South Holderness Cup Final that I can remember, part of me wanted to eke out the formalities for as long as I possibly could.  Revenge certainly tasted sweet in the damp Low Farm air this particular evening.

From the moment the two finalists had been decided by the previous week’s semis, it was apparent that to most people outside our club there was to be one outcome – Withernsea would complete their first South Holderness Cup win for nineteen years.  The only question appeared to be by what winning margin.

Since that 1993 victory (a 6-3 win over our First Team at Hull Road) the Seasiders have appeared in five finals – and lost the lot.  We accounted for them in 1997 (our first win), 2002, 2003 and 2006, while Keyingham (now Hedon Rangers) beat them in 2001.

Our Reserves had appeared in one previous final.  In 2009, represented by members of the club’s third-string, the ‘B’-squad had succumbed 6-1 to Kenny Harrison’s all-conquering Hedon Rangers side.  Many feared a repeat of such a scoreline this time around.

There's a few in tonight

As with the semi-final, Facebook played a big part in proceedings.  Having had the brass-neck to accuse our camp of using the tool to excess in advance of the semi-final, some members of the “favourites” were all over the site in the days leading up to the final. 

“Best in Holderness? Not anymore!” 

“Move over Easington, the new boys are in town.”

You get the gist.  It didn’t make pleasant reading.

In addition, I fielded a request from the Seasiders secretary asking if the post-match venue (competition sponsors The White Horse Inn) would be big enough given the large turnout expected to make the short trip down the coast.  I told him I was confident we would cope.

Meanwhile, Cup Referee’s Secretary Steve Spruce was subject to several conversations that left him feeling Withernsea’s confidence was beginning to border on arrogance.  “I hope the final doesn’t become embarrassing; y’know, not too one-sided?” was one typical comment.

In some respects such material was like manna from Heaven ahead of my forthcoming appearance at our annual presentation evening.

With most of the players present, the night acted as a rallying call for the forthcoming game – as well as a great celebration of the Casuals’ Division 5 title-winning campaign of course.

The local paper, The Holderness Gazette, did us proud on the day of the game with almost a full page turned over to the Final.  Local websites HU12.net and Seaside Radio also did their bit to draw in the crowds.  And as an afternoon of heavy showers made way for some welcome tea-time sunshine, all seemed set for a fitting finale to the local football season.

The Underdogs

The Favourites

They began arriving slowly but as I prepared to offload the last half-dozen match programmes on the gate, the final band of Withernsea supporters to come down Beck Street helped confirm that this would be the biggest Cup Final attendance in several years.

It was also the most dramatic start to a Final I’d seen in several years…or sort of seen.  I managed to turn around from my gate duties just in time to catch Big Stumo meet Fozzy’s free-kick to head past Withernsea keeper Richardson; 1-0 after just 38 seconds.

As I completed the last couple of programme transactions – to Seasiders fans not knowing whether to believe my early score update or not – I missed Andy Milbank pass up a glorious chance to make it two.  Sod this, I wasn’t going to miss any more.

"One Nil!"

I’d taken my usual place in front of the Hospitality Area just in time to see Withernsea player/manager John Dunn curl home an exquisite free-kick while the home defence was still organising its wall.  1-1 and only 7mins played.  This had the makings of a classic.

There are fewer more pleasurable sights for me than Low Farm on match day, lined on all four sides by spectators (even if on one of these – the top end goal – this “lining” actually amounted to barely a handful of people).  And those forming part of a crowd totalling 180 according to the official head-count were getting some excellent entertainment.

On 14mins Milbank was on hand to slide home after Withernsea’s Sammo had inadvertently diverted a cross into his path.  2-1 and moments later it could have been three; Milbank this time beating Richardson all ends up with a stunning effort but the ball bounced down off the underside of the bar and away.  Was it over the line?  Many said it was; others not.  I couldn’t tell but more importantly, the referee’s assistant was not in a position to confirm either way.  Play on then.

2-1 thanks to Handy Andy

The dark clouds that had formed a spectacular backdrop at kick-off time were starting to unload their contents as we approached half-time.  Our lead didn’t look comfortable and the lively Luke Smith went close to levelling.  But, as referee Pharaoh blew his whistle, the advantage was still ours.

During the interval we told ourselves that whatever happened in the next 45 minutes, the Stiffs had done themselves proud.  But, if being honest, I think we knew we'd all be bitterly disappointed not to go on and win it from here.

This feeling increased nine minutes into the second half when Josh Price converted Wilky’s cross at the second attempt to make it 3-1.

The same player then squandered a great chance to make it four, before Richardson got down well to deny Wilky.  We could have been 5-1 up.  It could have turned into that “one-sided final” predicted by our opponents beforehand!

Josh makes it 3-1

Withernsea had made a double-switch at half-time but with twenty to go were looking devoid of ideas.  Then, a throw-in to the box saw Jordan Hart and Jimmy Neilson come together.  “Handball” was the initial shout but when Mr Pharaoh pointed to the spot, he signalled it was for a push by the Easington midfielder.  Up stepped skipper Nige Newton to send Ben the wrong way.  Withernsea had a lifeline.

Suddenly the noise coming from the “Ryvita Stand” – now well-populated due to the rain - was that of a Withernsea persuasion.  And on 74mins they had further cause to cheer; Smith’s cross took a deflection of Foz and looped up nicely for Danny Frazer – one of the half-time arrivals – to volley sweetly home.  3-3 and there now looked to be only one winner…

Withernsea back in it; 3-2

We required some steadying of the ship but it was still all hands to the deck as the final whistle approached.  Neilson headed one chance wide and was then denied by Blanny’s excellent block.  Tom Finn poked wide when he should have found the target and in the final moments, Newton’s radar was also awry when presented with a great chance to snatch it.  We were going to extra-time.

Only five minutes had elapsed before the Seasiders made the next breakthrough; Fitzy’s handball inviting Newton score his second penalty of the night.  The visitors were exultant.  Had we any response?

Packing The Ryvita Stand

Oh yes, although there was a kind of comedy caper element about our equaliser; Wilky, Shane and keeper Richardson all chasing a ball that fairly zipped across the wet surface before escaping them all…and settling perfectly in time for Tony Everitt, his little legs going ten to the dozen, to get there and coolly slot past the covering defender into the unguarded net before being mobbed by his team-mates.

And Tony must score...

He does...to the delight of th kit sponsor...

 

And his team-mates!

At 4-4 the game would turn decisively on two incidents inside as many minutes.  First, Ben Akam produced a wonderful double-save to keep the Seasiders out.  Then Foz – majestic at the back all night – picked up the ball to stride Beckenbauer-like upfield before off-loading to the willing Wilks out wide.  Continuing his run into the box to meet Wilks’ return pass, Foz’s attempted header was impeded by the high boot of Finn.  Down went the Easington man to be followed by the shrill bleep of the referee’s whistle; penalty to Easington.

Fitzy was the man to be entrusted with the penalty.  Now was the time to step in and ensure the ball he would strike would be worthy of such a moment – loss of matchballs all evening had resulted in a curious array of training balls being used at various times.  This was no time for a £1.99 Proton, this was a Mitre Ultimax moment.  And so it proved, Fitzy striking true and hard beyond the despairing Richardson’s outstretched hand.  DC’s boys were 5-4 up and fifteen minutes away from becoming the first Reserves side ever to lift the South Holderness Cup.

Up goes Finno's boot, down goes Fozzy...

Down goes Fitzy, in goes the penalty

In fact it was nearer twenty minutes before Mr Pharaoh finally decided to give the last blasts on his whistle (“Well there were quite a few cautions”).  But when he did, the celebrations could begin.

Although I now had to switch hats back to South Holderness Cup Committee mode, it was impossible to turn down the smile that was threatening to envelop my whole face.  It really did feel like 1997 again.  The excitement that accompanied our first ever win in the competition was back.

I must admit I found it slightly strange knowing that Meddy – the man who, inadvertently or not, had had a hand in ensuring a season of discomfort between the First and Second Team camps – would soon be stepping up to receive the cup…just two months after resigning his post as manager of that same team.

Recognition for the Man of the Match

It was sad to see the vast bulk of Seasiders supporters depart before I actually got round to saying just how important for the competition it is to have a “strong” Withernsea therein.  It was also somewhat disrespectful, given their team’s part in a truly memorable occasion.  But I suppose, having arrived in high spirits and sunshine only to then see all hopes vanquished in the pouring rain, there can be some understanding of the decision to get off home quick.

However, no such excuse stands up for the losing team.  Having warned us beforehand to expect an invasion of The ‘Oss, not one member of the official Withernsea AFC party saw fit to accept the invitation to retire to the post-match venue, home of the competition’s main sponsors.  Shame on them.

Redemption for the former Manager!

Setting aside my obvious club bias, this was undoubtedly the best South Holderness Cup competition and final I’ve been directly associated with.  Many of the more senior spectators at the Final agreed with the view that it was a throwback to the glorious days of old.  Indeed, it was just the shot in the arm the competition needs at a time when grassroots football struggles to provide an attractive alternative to its over-exposed professional counterpart.
The South Holderness Cup’s northern equivalent, The Tanton Cup (or "Hornsea & District Hospital War Memorial Cup presented by P. C. Tanton Esq" to give it its full correct title) has just celebrated its 90th anniversary.  The 2012 winners were also something of a surprise – Brandesburton ending Hornsea Town’s recent monopoly on the competition.  They will now travel south in August to meet our Reserves for the annual Holderness Cup Winners Cup fixture.  
Taking its North Holderness counterpart's longevity as inspiration and with the Holderness Cup Winners Cup as an extra incentive, we should be fairly confident that "Easington United Reserves" is not the last name to be engraved on a trophy that has been in existence over sixty years and played for in its current format since 1956.

Putting my club colours back on, the Final provided a very upbeat end to a very mixed 2011/12 season.  It was great to see the smiles on the faces of so many lads who would otherwise have had little by way of consolation from a very disappointing campaign.  And if I’m being totally honest it was also good to see this success come at the expense of some – not all – people who had refused to give their opponents the respect they deserved.  It was noticeable that several Facebook statuses remained strangely inactive over the next couple of days.

He who laughs last…

Thanks to Colin Brammer & Burt Graham for the photographs

Neighbourhood Watch

The 2012 South Holderness Cup
Part 1 - The Route to the Final

Wednesday 30th May - the day before the South Holderness Cup Final, the climax to the annual struggle among Saturday clubs for the much-heralded local bragging rights.

Thankfully, the name of Easington United will again be represented.  However, no doubt to many people's surprise, it is not by the First Team.  Instead the honour goes to the Reserves, or the 'B'-squad as they're referred to in this competition.  It's a fine achievement by caretaker boss Danny Campbell ("DC") and his side and one that could ultimately provide just a tad of consolation after a season that has seen the Stiffs finish bottom of the County League Premier Division.

The reason it is not an all-Easington final is because, after 20 meetings and 13 years, The Seasiders of Withernsea are finally celebrating success over their local rivals again, thanks to a deserved 1-0 win in the semi-final.  

In addition to ridding themselves of that particular millstone, Withernsea have also put themselves in pole position to end a 19-year wait to add to their fourteen previous South Holderness Cup wins.  

Some think it is a mere formality that they will do so.  I'm not so sure.  And the South Holderness Cup has a marvellous way of throwing up the odd upset now and again.

Opening shots

This season's competition kicked-off with the draw on Friday, 13th April (we're not superstitious).  It was conducted in The Holderness Inn at Patrington, home to five cask ales and one rather disconsolate driver - me.  Still, the pint of York Brewery Guzzler (3.6%) I allowed myself certainly hit the spot.

Not for the first time the outcome had a slightly lop-sided look, with CML side Easington accompanied by HPL teams Withernsea and Hedon Rangers in one-half while the other was comprised of those clubs' junior sides and fellow members of the lower leagues.

Hedon Rangers kicked off proceedings just over a week later, edging past Amateur League opponents AFC Preston by two goals to one.  They would now travel to Low Farm in the quarter-finals, our 'A' team being one of four teams to receive a bye.

Skirlaugh were last year's surprise finalists and cruised through round one this time around thanks to a 6-0 win over newcomers Bilton Athletic.  They would face a repeat of last year's tie against Withernsea 'A' to determine the other semi-finalists from this section.

In the bottom half of the draw, our Reserves (aka Easington United 'B') opened up proceedings with an entertaining 7-3 win at County League side Hedon Town (like Bilton, newcomers to the competition).  I didn't get to see the game nor did I get to see Easington United 'C' (our Casuals) make an encouraging debut, courtesy of a win over Hedon Rangers 'B', 4-2 at Eastside Sports Ground.

So far so good, Easington had three representatives in the last eight.  And I was about to see one of them make it to the semis...

Friday, 11th May

South Holderness Cup Round 2

Easington United 'B' 3 Withernsea 'B' 2

After several days' fine weather - a rarity for the spring of 2012 - it was almost pre-ordained that my first taste of South Holderness Cup action would be accompanied by heavy rainfall.  At least it restricted itself to several hefty showers and not a ninety-minute downpour.

The game itself attracted a fair-size crowd to the Farm, though nothing comparable to the days of yore when crowd in excess of a hundred would line the perimeter at most local grounds whatever the round.

At least the keenness of the Easington-Withernsea rivalry helped make this the sort of cup-tie the competition is renowned for.  It has to be said that the atmosphere was helped by Seasiders' boss Andy Beedham's constant haranguing of referee Paul Poucher: "He only sees purple" maintained Beeds, oblivious to his own apparent colour-blindness ("Er, it's maroon actually Andrew!").

Goals from Andy Milbank (pictured above) and Paul Wilkinson established a two-goal cushion for the Stiffs but this was halved before the break by a delicious free-kick from Withernsea skipper Mark Clubley.

The aforementioned 'Wilks' then popped up with the decisive third goal midway through a scrappy but absorbing second period and that looked to be that...only for Clubley (pictured, No.4) to convert another set-piece just five minutes from time.

Thankfully, the remaining time was played out without due alarm.  The Stiffs were in the semi's.

The following Wednesday the Casuals went in search of a semi-final meeting with their club-mates.  Unfortunately, it wasn't to happen as Hedon Rangers 'C' (who were actually the Reserves; the 'C' squad having become the 'B' squad for the tournament on account of outstanding league commitments that had prevented them being able to play in the first round) eased past Maccer's men 3-1, with the Casuals player-manager suffering the ignominy of seeing red in his final game for the club!
In the top half of the draw, Withernsea 'A' had clinched their place in the last four by avenging their defeat the previous year at the hands of Skirlaugh.  The Seasiders won 3-0 at Hull Road to set up a home tie against either our First Team or Hedon Rangers.

Saturday, 19th May

South Holderness Cup Round 2

Easington United 'A'6 Hedon Rangers 'A' 0

I was slightly uneasy about our senior squad's belated entry into this year's affair.  And for good reason...or reasons.  Prior to us regaining the trophy last year, Hedon had been responsible for ending our interest in the three previous competitions, all of which they'd gone on to win.  In addition, we came into the match without some of those who'd seen the league season to its conclusion and with several lads making their South Holderness Cup debut - you always wonder just how they'll adapt to a competition far removed from the Central Midlands League.
Hedon have had an awful season, finishing bottom of the Humber Premier League Premier Division, and they have also seen several players departing Eastside.  Certainly, on this evidence, their squad bore a youthful look, built around those who'd progressed from the club's excellent junior set-up.  Just to spice things up they also had two former Eastenders - Farny and Jamie Hartley - in their ranks, eager to put one over their former team-mates.
And for the opening ten minutes it appeared they'd be in with a pretty good chance of doing just that.  Hedon swarmed all over the locals, with Carl Darbyshire rattling the post inside a minute and Charlie called upon to produce a handful of fine saves.
But their achilles heel proved to be a square defence that was prised open on 2mins, for Jimmy D to net the first of an impressive four-goal haul.  They were then ripped apart five times in 13 first half minutes as Mack's men simply ran riot.

In addition to Jimmy, Gav (above) and Eli also netted and by half-time the game was as good as won at 6-0.  You can read the full club match report here.  We were in the semi-finals.  Next stop - Withernsea away.

Tuesday, 22nd May

South Holderness Cup Semi-Final

Withernsea 'A' 1 Easington United 'A' 0

I take little consolation from the fact that some two weeks prior to this game, in the wake of the initial draw, I predicted that our Reserves would probably have a better chance of beating Withernsea than we had.
As with the Hedon game, it was how our new players would react to a proper local derby that left me feeling uneasy when the chance of a meeting first became apparent.
But whereas Hedon Rangers always guarantee you, first and foremost, a game of football the same cannot be said of Withernsea-Easington matches.  Especially so when they're played on the tight confines of a Hull Road pitch that doesn't boast the best of playing surfaces.
In the past ten years, games between our two sides have tended to go one of two ways.  Should we score early and add another soon afterwards, the victory has come fairly comfortably.  However, on the occasions the Seasiders have remained in the game longer than the opening quarter, they have proved remarkably hard games to call.
And this was a Withernsea side not short of confidence.  Despite some self-proclaimed ambitions of winning the HPL Division 1 at the start of the campaign (it always pays to remember such rash statements as times like this) a finish of eighth was seen as a big improvement on what had gone before.  In addition the hosts had reached the semi-finals of the East Riding CFA Senior Country Cup, wherein they lost to eventual cup winners Dunnington.  They fancied their chances.
I'd had a bad feeling about things all day.  A feeling exacerbated when both Moz and Blounty (recalled to the SH Cup squad due to shortages elsewhere) were ruled out.  Our bench had Tom Mac as the only fully-fit occupant, with the gaffer himself the only other option.  
From the off two things became immediately apparent: 1) Withernsea were definitely "up" for it; 2) it wasn't going to be one for the purists!

In the event, Luke Smith - another former Easington man - netted the game's only goal four minutes into the second half.  And for all our huffing and puffing, there was to be no way back.  The Seasiders' long wait to repeat their 1999 win in the Withernsea Carnival was deservedly over.  They could also look forward to their first South Holderness Cup Final in six years.
An official version of the night's sorry events (with pictures) can be found here.  We would now have to rely on our Stiffs to ensure home representation in the following week's final.

Wednesday, 23rd May

South Holderness Cup Semi-Final

Hedon Rangers 'B' 1 Easington United 'B'3

Social networking sites can be pretty unforgiving places and Facebook certainly was on the night of our cup defeat at Hull Road.  While not begrudging our "friends" their moment of glory, it really did show how big a thing beating Easington has become for some in Holderness.  Quite a compliment really!
What was worse than the gloating of the vistors, however, was the apparent support for them from within our own camp.  This, coupled with a thinly veiled attack on Mack's management, left me feeling at the lowest point I had all season.  Suddenly, all the problems of the previous nine months could be encapsulated into a few post-match messages on a computer screen.  Since September, I sensed I'd been fighting against "the enemy within" in terms of trying to forge a "One Club" mentality among certain members of our three teams.  From what I'd read that night on Facebook - and indeed seen and heard on the touchline during the game - I knew it was a battle I'd lost.
I vented my frustration at all this as I drove Groundsman Hodgy to Eastside Sports Ground, venue for the following night's second semi-final.  Knowing some of those responsible would be wearing the green and yellow of the club that night made it even harder to take...not to mention prompting an umpteenth re-write of my speech for the forthcoming Presentation Evening!
However, once at the game, any such feelings of bitterness were swept aside by an overriding wish to see DC - who it must be added was in no way included in my earlier ill-thoughts - steer his troops to a cup final.
Having come in as caretaker boss for the departing Meddy at the end of March, he'd helped oversee a revival in form as well as a move towards adopting the practices required of a Reserves boss.  It might not have been enough to avert a bottom place finish in the league but it could yet yield the prosepct of some silverware.

It didn't look that way when we arrived.  Already five minutes in, Hedon Reserves were replicating their First Team's efforts at Low Farm by dominating the early stages.  Five corners I counted inside the first four or five minuts I saw.  Young Akam was called upon to take dangerous balls as well as keep out a couple of worthwhile efforts on goal.  In short we were under the cosh.  
Then we scored.
Old man Wilks linked with young boy Price before converting the return for a somewhat flattering 1-0 half-time lead.
DC was no doubt glad of the referee's whistle and whatever he said during the interval clearly worked.  The Stiffs were far more assured.  Fitzy (pictured top) curled home a delightful second goal (with his right foot no less) before Jordan smashed home the third to confirm his side's win, as can also be read on the club report.
Andy Harrison's slightly bizarre late riposte for Rangers proved mere consolation.  Easington would have a team in the final...but, as Facebook, email and the man in the street in Withernsea was quick to tell us - we were only there to make up the numbers.