Colliers succumb to Thornaby defeat despite Pounder brace

Easington Colliery were beaten 4-2 at Thornaby on Saturday afternoon despite a brace from Jack Pounder.

Pounder had fired the Colliers into a surprise lead but two lucky goals from Stephen Morrison and Connor Smith put the hosts ahead.

Matthew Robinson extended Thornaby’s lead just before half-time but the Colliers improved in the second half and Pounder pulled another back in the 47th minute.

Despite looking the brighter side in the second half, the Colliers couldn’t find an equaliser and Thornaby pinched a fourth through a 92nd minute break as Taylor Crainey slotted home.

With Ethan Wood unavailable, Lewis Green came in to make his debut against his former club and Jack Pounder came back in to replace Shaun Smith.

On a very heavy and bobbly pitch, it was the hosts who started the brighter.

Despite controlling possession, Thornaby didn’t create any chances in the opening few minutes.

Their first half chance came in the ninth minute when Kallum Hannah linked up with Kurtis Howes but Howes’ eventual shot was blocked by Ian Redman.

Five minutes later, another chance fell the way of the hosts. A cross was half cleared but dropped to Robinson on the edge of the penalty area. He took a touch or two before firing a shot harmlessly wide of Kyle Donaldson’s goal.

With the Colliers looking to play their opposition offside, Smith raced through on the quarter of an hour mark but he was thwarted by Donaldson who saved well.

Easington’s first effort came in the 17th minute. Brennan Ball and Pounder played a quick one-two giving Ball a shooting opportunity but he could only slice wide.

Halfway through the first half, Michael Cooke fired an effort that looked destined for the top corner. The winger turned on the edge of the penalty area and his shot looked top corner bound but a crucial block denied Cooke.

Seconds later, at the other end, the Colliers allowed Howes to run towards goal. Thankfully though, Howes couldn’t really trouble Donaldson who saved easily.

In the 25th minute, Pounder turned his man on the edge of the penalty area and had an opportunity to run into the penalty area but he decided to shoot and failed to find the target.

Just before the half hour mark, the Green Army took a surprise lead. James Talbot’s initial effort was blocked by Pounder was quickest to react to prod home and give the Colliers the lead.

However, the lead was short-lived. Only two minutes later, Morrison whipped a cross into the penalty area that looked over hit and destined for a goalkick. However, it dipped at the last minute and Donaldson could do nothing as it picked out the far corner.

Having pulled level, Thornaby had their leads up and after a couple of further chances, they took the lead in the 36th minute. It was another lucky goal as Smith’s shot was straight at Donaldson until a wicked deflection took it away from the Easington stopper and into the net.

To conclude a disastrous 15 minutes for the Green Army, Thornaby scored a third in the 44th minute. Joe Posthill crossed to find the unmarked Robinson and his free header gave Donaldson no chance.

The Colliers improved after the break and halved the deficit only two minutes in. Cooke’s good work saw him burst down the wing and cut in to shoot. Liam Gibbs spilled Cooke’s effort and Pounder was their to stab home his second of the afternoon.

Easington looked the more likely to score for the majority of the second half. Despite the pitch having a bobble in every pass, a fine spell of passing created a chance in the 56th minute but Gibbs was able to save Pounder’s eventual effort.

With an hour played, the Colliers came agonisingly close to equalising. Ball’s mazy run won the Colliers a free-kick in a dangerous position and Talbot took responsibility. The former Hebburn Town man curled an effort towards the far top corner where a fingertip save saw Gibbs push the ball onto the crossbar and behind for a corner.

Two minutes later, another fine save from Gibbs prevented the Colliers. A high ball fell the way of David Vincent and he tried his luck with a first time 30-yard volley. The former Shildon man caught it perfectly and and it was destined for the net until another fine save from Gibbs kept his side ahead.

Despite the Colliers looking the brighter, Thornaby still looked dangerous when they attacked and they almost regained their two goal cushion halfway through the second half. A cross-cum-shot almost found a way in at the far post but thankfully Redman was there to clear off the line.

Vincent and Cooke both had half chances as the game entered its final 20 minutes but neither really troubled Gibbs.

Easington kept pushing for an equaliser but struggled to create any chances and in added time, Thornaby sealed the win.

Cooke was caught in possession and Crainey was in on goal before beating Donaldson with a composed finish.

Full-time: Thornaby 4-2 Easington Colliery

Easington Colliery: Donaldson, Ball, Lincoln Barrow (Appleby, 41′), Pearson (c), Ian Redman, Green (Freeman, 73′), Talbot, Vincent, Adamson (O’Brien, 46′), Pounder, Cooke

Unused subs: Jay Redman, Brian Smith

Thornaby: Gibbs, Morrison, Robinson, Crainey, Ridley, James, Posthill (Scaife Wheatley, 60′), Bailey, Smith (McGirk, 82′), Hannah (c), Howes

Unused subs: Dalton, Foley, Grainger

Admission: £5 adults, £3 concessions

Attendance: About 40

Chips (with a bun): £1.50

Referee: Craig Gilbraith