Clumsy Penalties Cost Colliers

Easington Colliery were soundly beaten 6-2 at home to Crook Town on Saturday afternoon.

In the Colliers’ first game of the season, two second half penalties proved the difference with Dan Pigg converting both.

Crook took an early lead through Matthew Stephenson but Easington responded through Jack Pounder.

In the second half, Pigg’s first penalty regained Crook’s lead but once again, the Colliers responded through Liam Adamson.

Luke Hogan headed Crook back into the lead and when Pigg converted a second penalty, the Colliers were deflated.

Further goals from Luke Hogan and Christian Holliday added gloss on Crook’s win.

With Brennan Ball, Shane O’Brien, Michael Cooke, Chris Bell, Jay Redman and David Vincent all missing through holidays, manager Paul Frame handed competitive debuts to Harry Graham, Marc Ruddock and Jordan Hailes.

It was the visitors who created the first chance as Daniel Johnson wasn’t closed down and managed to get a shot away which darted narrowly wide of Kyle Donaldson’s bottom corner.

Graham fired harmlessly over after an Adamson corner had been partially cleared while Pounder’s low effort was blocked.

There was some decent build up play from the Colliers early on but a solid Crook defence was keeping chances at a bare minimum.

Donaldson prevented Pigg in the 17th minute but the Black and Ambers were to take the lead in the 17th minute. A deep corner was swung into the penalty area to find Stephenson’s whose high volley beat Donaldson to put the visitors ahead.

Easington’s response was positive. Paul squandered a great chance when he dragged wide but an equaliser did come only five minutes after conceding. Adamson’s superb ball played Pounder in and the former Ryhope CW kept his composure to round the ‘keeper and slot home.

Ruddock went close when his effort just say flew the wrong side of the post after being teed up by Adamson while Pigg fired wide at the other end.

Adamson then had a go himself after beating three defenders before dragging a shot just wide of the far post.

Crook made a double substitution at half-time with Dale Elgie and Daniel Smith both coming on and within five minutes of the restart, Elgie won his side a penalty after Hailes’ foul. Pigg took responsibility and blasted the ball straight down the middle to regain Crook’s lead.

But, Easington responded again. Eight minutes later, Adamson cut in from the left wing to look up and curl a fine effort that dipped into the far corner from 20 yards.

All level at 2-2, an exciting final half an hour promised. However, two minutes after the Green Army had pulled level, Crook took the lead for a third time. A deep cross found the totally unmarked Hogan and his header beat Donaldson from point-blank range.

And, a fourth Crook goal came through another penalty in the 62nd minute. This time it was Reece Kenney with the foul and once again, Pigg drove his penalty straight down the middle as Donaldson dived the other way.

Pounder had a couple of half chances as time wore on before Christian Holliday’s header hit the outside of the post for Crook.

Twelve minutes from time, Crook added a fifth. Hogan collected possession 25 yards from goal and fired an unstoppable shot which picked out the very top corner giving Donaldson no chance.

Holliday added a sixth late on, but the game was well over by this point anyway.

Full-time: Easington Colliery 2-6 Crook Town

Next up for me is probably Durham Women vs Guiseley Vixens tomorrow.

Easington Colliery: Donaldson, Graham (Bulmer, 62′), Hailes, Pearson (c), Whitehead (Barrow, 55′), Adamson, Kenney, Freeman, Ruddock (Thompson, 55′), Paul, Pounder

Unused subs: Connor, Powell

Crook Town: Caris, Stephenson, Daniel Johnston (Smith, 46′), Braithwaite, Vaulks, Joseph, Ryan (Elgie, 46′), Emms (c), Pigg (Holliday, 72′), Calum Johnston, Hogan

Unused subs: Payne, Kokes

Admission: Free for me

Programme: £1.50

Referee: James Bancroft

Attendance: 122