Colliers book League Cup last 16 spot with Washington victory

Easington Colliery booked a spot in the last 16 of the Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup with a 3-1 win over Washington on Thursday night.

Goals from Ethan Wood, Jay Redman and Harry Wood gave the Colliers the win despite Jake Pickard pulling a goal back for Washington late on.

Having beaten Jarrow Roofing in the First Round, managers Craig Veart and Craig Hughes started with a back three of Brennan Ball, Jordan Hailes and Shane O’Brien as the Colliers looked to scalp another First Division side.

Redman and Adamson led the line with a midfield five providing support.

Washington’s side included former Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland defender Pascal Chimbonda but the former French international was to be on the losing side.

In a quiet start, Easington’s Kyle Donaldson was put under pressure by a couple of short back passes but he kept his calm to deal with them well.

The first half chance came in the ninth minute when James Talbot did well to cross and he picked out David Vincent but it was a fairly straightforward save for Decklan Greenwood.

With Washington’s first chance, a wide free-kick was whipped into the penalty area to find Callum Dent but Donaldson saved his header. And, a minute later, another header, this time from Pickard, clipped the crossbar on its way over.

Just before the quarter of an hour mark, an Easington free-kick was worked to Redman on the edge of the penalty area but his low drive was blocked.

Soon after, at the other end, a superb ball from Lamin Cham played Jak Hanson in but a fine save from Donaldson prevented the Washington forward. It wouldn’t have counted had he found the net as he was offside anyway.

Seventeen minutes had been played when the Colliers almost broke the deadlock. Talbot’s fine work played Redman in but his shot was saved by Greenwood. Adamson picked up the rebound but a goalline clearance prevented the forward.

Washington were possibly the stronger in the opening 20 minutes but the Colliers grew into the game.

With 25 played, an Easington corner was played short to Adamson. Adamson weaved a way to the edge of the penalty area but his curling 20-yard effort was matched by a Greenwood save.

At the other end, a half chance fell the way of Robbie Williamson but he failed to trouble Donaldson with a tame effort.

Having been on the back foot for the past 10 minutes, Washington upped their game and created numerous chances with half an hour played. Dent and Hanson both failed to beat Donaldson before Andy Mogwo skewed well wide.

As the Green Army set out to attack, a rather ambitious Redman effort darted wide before Ethan Wood broke the deadlock with a fine strike. Taking responsibility of a free-kick in a wide position, the former Hartlepool United man curled it over the wall and away from the ‘keeper to find the far top corner.

Having taken the lead seven minutes before the break, the Colliers had chances to extend it before half-time. Jake Metcalf headed a matter of inches wide from Ethan Wood’s teasing corner in the 42nd minute before Talbot’s long-range drive was blocked.

Following the break, O’Brien almost doubled Easington’s lead. Seconds after Vincent’s effort was blocked, the ball fell kindly to O’Brien 30 yards out and his power drive was destined for the top corner until a fine save from Greenwood diverted it behind for a corner.

O’Brien and Vincent both had further half chances before Metcalf won a free-kick in a wide position. Hailes whipped the dead ball into the penalty area and found the towering O’Brien but his header bounced back off the crossbar.

Just after the hour mark, the Colliers came agonisingly close to a second again. A sharp counter played Talbot in and he rounded the ‘keeper only for his effort to be cleared off the line by Abdul Karim. The resulting corner eventually found Redman and Greenwood was forced into another save to turn Redman’s effort away.

Twenty-one minutes from time, the Colliers deservedly extended their lead. The goalkeeper couldn’t handle Talbot’s original effort and Redman was quickest to react to blast home.

Only four minutes after conceding a second, the visitors had a great chance to half the deficit. Cham’s fine cross dropped for Karim but he blazed over from a matter of two yards.

In the 74th minute, the Colliers introduced Brian Smith to make his debut while Harry Wood also came on.

Harry Wood made an instant impact as his chasing caused mistakes from Washington. A defensive error gifted the substitute possession and he burst down on goal only for a crucial last-ditch challenge to deny him a goalscoring opportunity.

Ten minutes from time, Washington’s Cham tried his luck from a near impossible angle but the ball bounced back off the outside of the post.

A nervy finish was ensured when Washington pulled a goal back in the first minute of added time. Pickard was allowed to dribble through numerous defenders before his cool finish beat Donaldson.

However, any nerves were settled when Easington regained their two goal cushion a minute later. A goalkeeping error gifted Harry Wood possession and he took it around the ‘keeper before smashing home.

The win means the Colliers have now knocked two First Division sides out of the Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup but a whole host of other First Division sides await in the last 16.

Full-time: Easington Colliery 3-1 Washington

Next up for me is a game on Saturday

Easington Colliery: Donaldson, Ball, Hailes, O’Brien, Talbot, Metcalf, Ethan Wood (c), Vincent, Adamson (Brian Smith, 76′), Redman (Connor, 85′), Lincoln Barrow (Harry Wood, 76′)

Unused subs: Appleby, Shaun Smith

Washington: Greenwood, Cham, Parker, Williamson (Gardner, 46′), Chimbonda (c), Karim, Hanson, Mogwo, Pickard, Dent (Wilson, 64′), Gibbon (Brown, 64’)

Unused subs: Akal, McGeoch

Attendance: 83

Referee: Steve Lennon

Admission: £5 adults, £2 concessions