Easington Colliery cruise to victory against Alnwick Town

Easington Colliery extended their unbeaten run to five with a 4-0 win over Alnwick Town on Saturday afternoon.

A Jay Redman brace alongside strikes from James Talbot and Liam Adamson gave the Colliers the three points as they climbed to 10th in Northern League Division Two.

The win extends the Colliers’ unbeaten run to five and means the interim management team of Paul Adamson and Chris Pearson bow out with only one defeat.

Adamson and Pearson made one change from Thursday’s win over Jarrow Roofing with Chris Freeman coming in for the unavailable Shaun Smith.

With the new management team of Craig Hughes and Craig Veart watching on, the Colliers start poorly and Alnwick could have taken the lead inside the opening five minutes.

A low cross was met by a first time Stephen Young shot but thankfully for the Colliers, Young’s poked effort bounced back off the post.

It was a warning sign for the Colliers who seemed a world away from Thursday’s second-half performance.

However, the Green Army did slowly but surely work their way into it. A superb ball from David Vincent played James Talbot in with 10 minutes played but the assistant ruled him offside in a tight call.

Young forced a save from Kyle Donaldson just before the quarter of an hour mark and an injury soon after halted proceedings.

Upon the restart, the Green Army still weren’t getting there passes to stick. Loose passes were happening all too often; gifting Alnwick chances in the process.

Philip Bright forced a save from Donaldson, while Donaldson picked up the scraps after Jimmy Appleby blocked Daniel Thompson’s effort.

Easington’s first real chance didn’t come until half an hour had been played. Talbot played the ball into Ethan Wood and he looked up before curling narrowly wide of the far post.

Only a minute later though, the Green Army broke the deadlock. Quick play saw Adamson find Vincent and he played in Redman whose composed finish beat the ‘keeper.

Now ahead, the Colliers relaxed and started to play better football. Wood had a 20-yard effort blocked before the lead was doubled five minutes before half-time. Adamson switched the play to Talbot and he cut in before firing a 25-yard drive into the top corner to give Robert Hodgson no chance.

Despite the first half as a whole being poor, the Colliers went into the break with a two goal lead.

In comparison to the first, Easington’s second half was much better. Wood created a chance within the opening two minutes but his effort was blocked while good link up play between Vincent and Freeman opened up room for Adamson but he was charged down.

Less than seven minutes into the second period, Easington Colliery added a third. Talbot picked out Redman and his superb flick played in Adamson. The forward confidently rounded the ‘keeper and slotted home to add further comfort to the Green Army’s lead.

Alnwick were struggling to get out of their own half in the early stages of the second half and further half chances fell the way of Ryan Lincoln Barrow and Redman.

On the hour mark, Redman added his second and Easington’s fourth. A perfectly weighted through ball played Redman in and he slotted home his sixth league goal of the season.

It could have been five in the 63rd minute but Hodgson just say managed to hold Adamson’s attempted chip.

Redman failed to find the target with a couple of further chances and still in search of his hat-trick, the 18-year-old tried his luck from long-range but couldn’t keep his effort down.

A dangerous Wood free-kick was saved 11 minutes from time before Jake Metcalf fired well over as he looked to get in on the act.

Potentially trying to make up for his missed penalty on Thursday night, Pearson drilled wide in additional time but it counted for little as the Colliers comfortably collected the three points.

Full-time: Easington Colliery 4-0 Alnwick Town

Next up for me is probably Seaham Red Star vs Consett on Tuesday night.

Easington Colliery: Donaldson, Freeman (Thompson, 78′), Metcalf, Pearson (c), Appleby, Vincent, Wood, Lincoln Barrow, Redman (Connor, 74′), Adamson (Bulmer, 74′), Talbot

Unused sub: Ball

Alnwick Town: Hodgson, Danny Lowes, Jake Lowes (Laidlaw, 18′), Fearns-Kennedy, Douglas (Riddell, 67’), Brown, Keenan (c), Coyle, Young, Thompson, Bright

Attendance: 115

Admission: £5 adults, £2 concessions

Programme: £1.50

Referee: Lewis Game