Colliers secure playoff spot with victory at Ryton
Easington Colliery ensured themselves of a spot in the playoffs and a top four finish with a 2-1 win away to Ryton & Crawcrook Albion on Saturday afternoon.
The game was goalless until the 80th minute when Mark Davison put the Colliers ahead, only for Ryton to equalise five minutes alter through Rhys Mcleod.
In the 88th minute, the Colliers regained the lead and took the three points thanks to Luke Pearn’s strike.
The win ensures the Colliers of a top four finish and a spot in the playoffs with two games left.
Goalkeeper Ant Lowerson returned to starting XI, as did Ethan Ord at full-back.
Upon kick-off, it was a lively start, with three shots within the opening minute. After just 18 seconds, Lowerson was forced into a comfortable save, and still within the opening 60 seconds, Mark Davison had two shots for the Colliers. The first was wide, and the second was saved.
In the 11th minute, Davison’s header at the back post forced a save from Brogan Colquhoun, and then Callum Stanton shot wide.
Davison and Thomas Bott both headed over as the Colliers continued to search for a breakthrough.
The Colliers were comfortably on top in the first half, with the majority of possession and all the chances.
Davison and James Fairley both went close towards the end of the first half, but there was to be no breakthrough and it was a stalemate at the break.
Easington had controlled the first half, but the second half was more open, and Ryton created chances.
In the 55th minute, Callum Guy’s low shot was saved after Matty Weirs’ pullback, and then Lowerson was called into action to prevent the dangerous as Aaron Costello looked to round him.
Halfway through the second half, Costello shot wide for the visitors, before Davison had a shot crucially blocked for the Colliers.
With 15 minutes to play, Dane Eltringham – back to his usual position having played in goal for 45 minutes at Thornaby on Wednesday night – burst forward but could only skew an effort wide.
In the 80th minute, the Colliers broke the deadlock. Eltringham whipped a cross into the near post from the left side, and Davison was at the near post to bundle the ball home.
However, the lead was short lived as Ryton equalised in the 85th minute. A cross to the back post found the unmarked Mcleod, and he headed home.
After no goals in 80 minutes, a third in eight minutes put the Colliers back ahead in the 88th minute. Pearn’s initial shot was well blocked, but it came straight back to Pearny whose good finish found the far bottom corner.
In injury time, Lowerson was forced into a good save, and the Colliers had to then defend a couple of corners before the final whistle.
With 77 points, the Colliers now cannot be caught by any side currently outside of the top four!
Full-time: Ryton & Crawcrook Albion 1-2 Easington Colliery
Next up for me is Easington Colliery vs Jarrow on Monday night.
Ryton & Crawcrook Albion: Colquhoun, Hildreth (Lowery, 68′), Groves-Forbes (Todd, 46′), Symons, Errington (c), Oldfield, Lynch, Craggs, Costello, Mcleod, Lowery-Matondo
Unused subs: Skivington, Adotey, Cairns
Easington Colliery: Lowerson, Ord, Eltringham, Kenney (Elliott, 56′), Forster (c), Bott, Stanton, Fairley, Davison, Guy (Pearn, 62′), Weirs (Hunter, 79′)
Unused subs: Fryatt, Ford
Admission: £5 adults, £3 concessions
Programme: Didn’t get one
Attendance: 197
Referee: Matthew Harris
Connor's Football Travels 