Colliers pinned back by injury time equaliser
Easington Colliery were pinned back to a point as Newcastle University equalised in the 95th minute to claim a 2-2 draw at the Welfare Park on Monday night.
Easington twice led through James Fairley’s brace, but the students twice equalised through James Matthews’ brace, including his header in the fifth minute of additional time.
Having met just 48 hours earlier in Prudhoe, Easington manager Olly Hotchkiss made one change with Brad Forster replacing Thomas Bott, while Newcastle University made four changes with Jay Harris, Joel Burgess, Joel Manning and Matthews’ all coming into the starting eleven.
Upon kick-off, the first chance arrived in the ninth minute. Callum Guy passed to Fairley on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot was saved by Max Richardson.
Four minutes later, the Colliers created a very good chance. A ball through the middle released Reece Kenney through on goal, but Richardson made himself big and saved well.
Matty Weirs then had a shot crucially blocked, before the Easington wall did its job to block a very close Newcastle University indirect free-kick.
Fairley and Forster both had half chances as the Colliers looked to take control, before the deadlock was broken in the 36th minute. A ball through the middle was flicked on by Luke Pearn to release Fairley, and he changed down on goal before finishing well.
However, just three minutes later, Newcastle University equalised as Matthews burst through on the left side before a low drilled finish found the bottom corner.
It was level at the break.
After a couple of Newcastle University corners and a half chance in the opening minutes of the second half, Easington created a chance as Kenney went close in the 48th minute. Reece took aim from the edge of the penalty area, but Richardson’s fine save denied the Easington midfielder.
Callum Guy then fired over for the Green Army, before James Hopkinson in the Easington goal was forced into a good save. Newcastle University’s Chris Pearson blazed the rebound over.
The Colliers almost took the lead through what would have been an own goal in the 62nd minute, while at the other end, Hopkinson was forced into a save to push a 68th minute free-kick behind for a corner.
Just inside the final 20 minutes, Newcastle University were looking the more likely, and Hopkinson was forced into a couple of further smart saves.
In the 79th minute, Easington regained their lead through Fairley’s magic finish. James worked himself some room on the left side before lifting a shot towards the back post. It hung in the air and had the ‘keeper beaten before dropping into the far top corner. A superb finish.
Easington were managing the game well late on, but in the fifth and final minute of additional time, Newcastle University equalised. A deep corner was met by Matthews who headed home.
The points were shared.
Full-time: Easington Colliery 2-2 Newcastle University
Next up for me is possibly a game tomorrow.
Easington Colliery: Hopkinson, Barnett, Eltringham, Kenney, Nelson, Forster (c), Stanton (Hunter, 80′), Fairley (Ford, 81′), Pearn (Elliott, 73′), Guy (McCabe, 90′), Weirs (Fryatt, 65′)
No unused subs
Newcastle University: Richardson, Harris, Redford, Pennington, Carr, Burgess, Iversen (Matthew Foster, 65′), Miller (c), Manning (Matthew Foster, 46′), Morris (Pearson, 57′), Matthews
Unused subs: McKee, Topel
Admission: £5 adults, £2 concessions
Programme: Online
Attendance: 83
Referee: Michael Studholme
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