Durham Women vs Millwall Lionesses

This game today is likely to be the start of a rather busy week for me. Easington have games on both Tuesday and Thursday so I’ll definitely be at both of them. I’m more or less definitely going to be at Horden CW on Wednesday night, and I’ll be at Newcastle Eagles basketball on Friday night before a trip to Alnwick Town next Saturday. Although I probably won’t, I could end up at a game tomorrow night too. Alike many of the teams in WSL2, I’ve seen Millwall visit Durham on a number of occasions. This was the fourth time I’ve watched Durham host the Lionesses. I’ve also seen Millwall away to Sunderland in what was my first ever Sunderland Ladies game. When I found out that Millwall were under the threat of administration last week, I was shocked. That should never be happening in the second tier of football – regardless of whether it’s men or women. As they’ve shown in the past year, they’re a very good side. If they were to enter administration and the worst was to happen, it would be a huge miss for women’s football.

Match report:

Durham end Millwall unbeaten run with victory at New Ferens Park

Durham Women ended Millwall Lionesses’ 19 league game unbeaten run with a 2-1 win at New Ferens Park on Sunday afternoon.

Millwall hadn’t lost a league game since Bristol City got the better of them in March 2017, but goals from Zoe Ness and Emily Roberts ensured the Wildcats ended that run.

Ness fired Durham into a sixth minute lead on her 50th appearance for the club, but Millwall equalised through Ellie Mason in the 19th minute.

Roberts’ impressive strike restored Durham’s lead just before the break, and the Wildcats deservedly took all three points.

Durham broke the deadlock with their first chance in only the sixth minute. Abi Cottam burst down the wing before whipping a cross into the penalty area. Billie Brooks looked to clear, but her header fell straight to Ness. With the ball at her feet, Ness drilled a first time half volley into the bottom corner to give Durham the perfect start.

Cottam forced a save from Sarah Quantrill in the 12th minute, before Quantrill produced another save two minutes later to prevent Ness.

With their first real chance, Millwall pulled level. A deep free-kick was flicked onto the back post where Megan Alexander looped a cross to the edge of the penalty area. Mason watched the ball drop her way, and the former Watford Ladies midfielder connected perfectly with a first time volley to pick out the bottom corner.

Now level, Millwall fancied their chances.

Helen Alderson’s bravery prevented the Lionesses from taking the lead in the 22nd minute later. A simple ball played Rianna Dean in, but Alderson came charging off her line to prevent Dean.

On the half hour mark, the crossbar came to Durham’s saviour. Brooks’ long free-kick found Dean and her clever volley on the turn had Alderson beaten. Thankfully for Durham, Dean’s effort bounced back off the crossbar.

Charlotte Devlin forced a save from Alderson in the 34th minute, before a crucial block prevented Brooks.

Durham’s Lauren Briggs fired well over in the 36th minute, before Millwall were fortunate not to have goalkeeper Quantrill sent off. Ness burst through on goal, and she looked to round Quantrill. In an attempt to stop Ness, Quantrill handled the ball outside of the penalty area and she was fortunate to only see yellow.

Just before the break, Roberts regained Durham’s lead. Having latched onto a Beth Hepple flick, the former Doncaster Rovers Belles forward took the ball down before lifting a volley over Quantrill and into the far corner.

Following the break, Quantrill saved a Hepple effort, before Roberts’ effort was also saved.

Another save once again prevented Hepple in the 63rd minute, and Cottam was next to see her effort be saved by Quantrill.

Although Durham were creating chances, Millwall were still dangerous. With 25 minutes to play, substitute Ashlee Hincks beat the offside trap but her attempted lob dipped over the crossbar.

With both sides tiring, the game began to slow down. Half chances fell the way of Sarah Robson and Roberts for the hosts, but neither could convert.

Fine saves from Quantrill prevented both Ness and Cottam as the game approached its final 10 minutes.

Despite Millwall pushing forward, they failed to create any chances late on and Durham deservedly took all three points.

Full-time: Durham Women 2-1 Millwall Lionesses

Next up for me is probably Esh Winning vs Easington Colliery on Tuesday night.

Durham Women: Alderson, Johnson, Hill, Wilson (c), Salicki, Robson, Hepple, Briggs (Lee, 70′), Roberts (Gears, 74′), Cottam (Atkinson, 86′), Ness

Unused subs: Borthwick, McCatty, Christon

Millwall Lionesses: Quantrill, Brooks, Butler (Giddings, 70′) (c), Robe, Alexander, Nicol, Wynne (Cowan, 57′), Mason, Gaylor (Hincks, 46′), Devlin, Dean

Unused sub: Wotton

Admission: £5 adults, £2 concessions

Programme: £2

Attendance: 304

Teamsheet: Free with programme

Chips: £2

Can of Coke: £1

Referee: David Holbrook

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Willington vs Easington Colliery

Colliers edged out at Willington

Easington Colliery were beaten 2-0 at Willington on Saturday afternoon.

A defensive error gifted Matty Moffat Willington’s opener in the 26th minute. Despite the Colliers looking the brighter team in the second half, Michael Brown’s strike in the 93rd minute ensured Willington took all three points.

In Kev Devine’s first game as joint manager of the Colliers, one change was made from Wednesday’s draw at Blyth AFC with Ryan Lincoln Barrow coming in for Tom Goundry.

On a very dry and bobbly pitch, it was a quiet start with both sides looking to work each other out.

Very little happened in the opening quarter of an hour. The closest the Colliers came was through a floated Ethan Wood free-kick. However, it was headed clear.

Although the Colliers were offering little, the same could be said about Willington.

In the 21st minute, Willington registered the first real chance. A deep corner found the unmarked Graham Lazonby at the back post, but he could only head over from five yards.

Five minutes later, Willington broke the deadlock. Jack Pounder found himself in a deep position and his attempted pass was intercepted. Nathan Plews played Moffat in, and he rounded Kyle Donaldson before slotting home.

Having gifted the hosts a goal, the Colliers up their game slightly. David Vincent registered Easington’s first shot on target with a dipping half volley in the 38th minute, but the ‘keeper was able to save.

Moffat blasted well wide after a lucky bounce had fallen his way, before Michael Cooke’s effort was blocked for the Colliers.

In the 39th minute, the Green Army came agonisingly close to equalising. Jake Metcalf drilled a free-kick across the penalty area to find Pounder. His bullet header had the ‘keeper beaten, but it darted a matter of inches wide.

Michael Cooke then had an effort that failed to find the target, before Pounder forced a save from Lewis Graham.

Despite ending the first half brightly, the Colliers couldn’t find an equaliser and Willington went into the break with their noses in front.

A last-ditch challenge prevented Wood two minutes into the second half, before a fine save from Graham prevented Vincent in the 50th minute.

Metcalf tried his luck with a curling effort as the Colliers continued to search for an equaliser, but once again, Graham saved.

Donaldson was forced into a clever save to prevent a Jeff Smith free-kick in the 62nd minute, before Kieran Mitchell headed narrowly wide after meeting a teasing Lincoln Barrow cross.

A fine save prevented Lewis Green with quarter of an hour to play, and the Colliers were still looking the brighter side.

A few Willington substitutions slowed the game down, and with the Colliers committing men forward, they secured the points in the third minute of added time. A sharp break played Michael Brown in and he tucked the ball home to secure the points for the hosts.

Full-time: Willington 2-0 Easington Colliery

Next up for me is Durham Women vs Millwall Lionesses tomorrow.

Easington Colliery: Donaldson, Lincoln Barrow, Metcalf, Pearson (Brian Smith, 65′) (c), Ball, Liam Cooke (Talbot, 59′), Green, Wood (Mitchell, 62′), Pounder, Vincent, Michael Cooke

Willington: Graham, Storey, Taylor, Lazonby (c), Milner, Bromley, Graham (Cummings, 77′), Plews (Shields, 85′), Moffat, Winter (Brown, 63’), Smith

Unused sub: Hannant

Admission: £5 adults, £2 concessions

Programme: £1

Attendance: £1

Cheeseburger and chips: £3.70

Bottle of water: 60p

Referee: Craig Chatten

 

Blyth AFC vs Easington Colliery

Colliers claim impressive point at Blyth AFC

Easington Colliery came from behind to claim an impressive point at league title chasing Blyth AFC on Wednesday night.

After a goalless first half, Jake Armitage drilled Blyth into a 69th minute lead, but Easington responded through substitute Shane O’Brien and the points were shared.

Craig Hughes made one change from Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Bedlington with Michael Cooke coming in for James Talbot.

Other than a blocked Michael Cooke header, the Colliers offered little in the opening exchanges. Blyth were looking the brighter, but Robert Taylor and Liam Gillesphey both fired well over when given opportunities.

In the 19th minute, Daniel Wilson burst down the wing for the hosts. He picked out Armitage, but the full-back could only fire wide.

With Easington’s first real chance, Ethan Wood took responsibility of a 25-yard free-kick. However, the former Hartlepool United man skewed well over.

Marc Lancaster drilled an effort into the side-netting for Blyth, before the Colliers almost broke the deadlock. Liam Cooke’s trickery saw him drift past three players, and he pulled the ball back to Jack Pounder whose effort was cleared as it approached the line.

Skipper Chris Pearson wasn’t too far away with an ambitious long-range effort, and at this point, the Colliers were building momentum.

Pounder had an effort saved with half an hour played, before Michael Cooke’s 18 yard effort was charged down.

With 10 minutes of the first half remaining, the post came to Easington’s rescue. A short corner was worked into the penalty area to eventually find Wilson. His effort had Kyle Donaldson beaten, but it bounced back off the woodwork.

Half chances fell the way of Pounder and David Vincent as half-time approached, and the Colliers were happy to go into the break level.

In the 50th minute, Blyth registered their first shot on target. A quick throw-in found Wilson, but a smart Donaldson save prevented the Blyth winger.

The Colliers started the second half well, with half chances falling the way of both Pearson and Pounder.

Just before the hour mark, Vincent tried his luck from 25 yards. Chris Bannon was worried in the Blyth goal, but Vincent’s effort darted the wrong side of the post.

Soon after, Pounder rose to meet a Liam Cooke corner, but his header was saved.

Armitage’s opener was a real sucker-punch for the Colliers. After a bit of pinball in the penalty area, the ball dropped kindly for Armitage who drilled home off the underside of the crossbar.

Having fallen behind, the Colliers responded.

Liam Cooke and Pounder both went agonisingly close, before Vincent had an effort blocked.

Only two minutes after being subbed on, O’Brien pulled the Colliers level. Having burst down the wing, Tom Goundry cut in to beat his man. He pulled it back to O’Brien, and the makeshift centre-forward prodded the ball home.

The Colliers could have snatched it in the final few minutes, with substitute Talbot firing narrowly over from 25 yards.

However, a point away to Blyth AFC was certainly satisfying for the Green Army.

Full-time: Blyth AFC 1-1 Easington Colliery

Next up for me is hopefully Spennymoor Town vs Darlington tomorrow.

Easington Colliery: Donaldson, Metcalf, Goundry, Pearson (c), Ball, Liam Cooke, Green, Wood, Pounder, Vincent (O’Brien, 77′), Michael Cooke (Talbot, 68′)

Unused subs: Adamson, Lincoln Barrow

Blyth AFC: Bannon, Armitage, Lancaster, Gillesphey, Harmison, Parker, Taylor (McRoberts, 68′), Henderson, Chilton (Hudson, 80′), Robinson (c), Wilson (Fenton, 80′)

Unused subs: Tumilty, Anderson

Admission: £6 adults, £3 concessions

Programme: £1.50

Attendance: 51

Referee: Kirk Freeth

Hartlepool FC vs Richmond Town

With the end of the season approaching and all of the recent postponements, there are games basically every night at the minute. There are games every Monday and Wednesday in the Wearside League, and there are games basically every day other than Friday and Sunday in the Northern League. Although I’ve seen a fair few of the teams in the league, tonight was my first Wearside League game of the season. Every time I’ve watched a Wearside League club this season, it has been in either a cup or a friendly. This was always going to be my game of choice tonight, as Hartlepool FC are probably my favourite team in the Wearside League. Although Hartlepool United are at home, I’ll probably give tomorrow a miss and do some Uni work, and I’ll be at Blyth AFC vs Easington Colliery on Wednesday. A game on Thursday may happen, although I don’t know where. With me being in Uni until 17:00 today, the only way I could get to this game was by train. In fact, I think today was the first time I’ve ever been on the Durham Coast Line between Sunderland and Hartlepool.

Match report:

Tumilty hat-trick helps Hartlepool FC defeat Richmond

Jamie Tumilty scored a hat-trick as Hartlepool FC claimed an impressive 4-2 win over Richmond Town on Monday night at Grayfields.

Tumilty opened the scoring in the 18th minute, and a superb Mike Connolly strike doubled FC’s lead before the break.

Ben Darville halved the deficit early in the second half, but Tumilty regained Hartlepool’s two goal cushion in the 57th minute.

Joe Shields pulled Richmond to back within one 17 minutes from time, but Tumilty’s hat-trick three minutes later secured the points for Pools.

It was Richmond who started the brighter. In the third minute, a corner was flicked on to find Michael Gunnell at the back post. Six yards from goal and facing the wrong way, Gunnell tried his luck with a volley, but he couldn’t keep it down.

An Andrew Blackburn blocked shot was Hartlepool’s only half chance of the opening quarter of an hour, and Richmond went close again in the 11th minute. Scott Ryan took down a long ball before cutting in and firing narrowly wide.

In the 17th minute, Hartlepool had the ball in the net only for it to be ruled offside. Kieran Campbell’s mazy run gave him plenty of options in the penalty area. He opted for a quick one-two before tucking the ball into the net, but it was ruled out as the original pass was offside.

However, FC did break the deadlock only a minute later. Robert Hammond lifted a route one ball over the top and Tumilty gave chase. Despite the defenders looking in control, Tumilty snatched possession and rounded the ‘keeper before slotting home.

Two minutes later, Tumilty latched onto another long ball. He cut in to find room, but this time, Mark Walker was equal to his effort.

Tumilty prodded wide following a clever Blackburn flick in the 38th minute, before Connolly doubled Hartlepool’s lead in spectacular fashion with five minutes of the first half to play. Spotting Walker off his line, Connolly tried his luck with a 40-yard effort from the right wing. With Walker backtracking, it looped over him and found the far corner.

A sharp Richmond break could have seen them reduce the deficit just before the break. Ryan found Darville who in turn found Shields. He blasted an effort from 12 yards, but Elliot Coils made himself big to save.

Following the break, Richmond started brightly.

After a couple of half chances, they halved the deficit in the 51st minute. David Gibson whipped a cross into the penalty area to find Darville and his looping header dropped into the net.

A similar move only a minute later could have seen Richmond pull level. Once again it was a cross from the right wing. This time, Shields got on the end of it, but his header bounced back off the post.

A Tumilty strike was deflected into the hand’s of Walker in the 56th minute, before FC regained their two goal cushion less than a minute later. Richmond failed to properly clear their lines, and a perfectly timed Dean Cope challenge won possession for FC. He picked out Blackburn who burst down the wing. Having beaten his man, Blackburn pulled the ball across the penalty area to Tumilty and he did the rest.

Lee Jones could have wrapped up the win for the hosts in the 65th minute, but Walker saved his effort.

An acrobatic Jason Newall effort was saved by Coils, before Sam Cook fired wide at the other end.

In the 73rd minute, Richmond once again halved the deficit. A cross was cleared as far as Shields. He took a touch before looking up and picking out the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Richmond’s hope of salvaging something was renewed with Shields’ strike, but they found themselves two goals down again only three minutes later as Tumilty secured his hat-trick. A delicate through ball played Tumilty in, and he rounded the ‘keeper. The Richmond defence looked to have done enough to deny him of his hat-trick, but it bounced nicely for the FC forward who poked home his third and FC’s fourth.

Despite a few further half chances, there was to be no further goals and Hartlepool FC claimed an impressive 4-2 win.

Full-time: Hartlepool FC 4-2 Richmond Town

Next up for me is probably Blyth AFC vs Easington Colliery on Wednesday.

Hartlepool FC: Coils, Donaghy, Campbell (Garthwaite, 69′), Cook (c), Hammond (McLeod, 50′), Cope, Connolly (Naylor, 55′), Blackburn, Tumilty, Jones, Snowdon

Unused subs: Osbourne, Short

Richmond Town: Mark Walker, Pinkney (Galloway, 66′), Cocks, Newall (c), Gibson, Gunnell, Adam Walker (Spence, 71′), Simpson (Weatherill, 69’), Shields, Darville, Ryan

Unused subs: Kellett, White

Admission: £2 adults, £1 concessions

Programme: No

Attendance: 41

Referee: Craig Gilbraith

Bedlington Terriers vs Easington Colliery

Colliers come from three down to claim point

Easington Colliery came from 3-0 down to claim a point in a 3-3 draw at Bedlington Terriers on Saturday afternoon.

A Scott Lowery brace alongside a Paul Wardle strike put the Terriers into a commanding 3-0 lead, but the Colliers fought back and claimed a point thanks to goals from Jack Pounder, Liam Adamson and Tom Goundry.

On a very heavy pitch, the Colliers struggled to play free-flowing football, and the long slow grass favoured the Terriers.

Club captain Chris Pearson returned to the side, with Aidan Goodey missing out through injury.

Despite a couple of early crosses into the penalty area from the Colliers, it was Bedlington who created the first chance. Jack Foalle was fouled in a dangerous position, and he dusted himself down to take responsibility. Despite placing his free-kick right in the corner, it proved a comfortable save for Kyle Donaldson.

With Easington’s first chance, a James Talbot cross picked out Pounder, but his header was saved by David Stewart.

With quarter of an hour played, Bedlington broke the deadlock. Foalle whipped a wide free-kick in the penalty area to find Lowery. Despite Donaldson saving Lowery’s header, it was ruled to have cross the line and the Terriers were ahead.

Liam Cooke scuffed a shot as the Colliers looked for a response, before James Talbot almost got onto a back pass but the ‘keeper was just say quick enough.

Despite creating a couple of chances, the Colliers were struggling to adapt to the condition of the pitch.

David Vincent fired an effort wide in the 27th minute, while Bedlington’s Lowery fired wide at the other end.

On the half hour mark, the hosts doubled their lead. With a half cleared cross falling his way, Wardle unleashed a first time half volley to send ripples in the net.

When Bedlington added a third in the 36th minute, the Colliers had a mountain to climb. A dinked cross found the unmarked Lowery at the back post, and his header found the corner.

This time though, Easington responded immediately. A matter of 90 seconds after conceding the third, Pounder restored faith amongst the Green Army. A simple ball through played the former Durham City man in, and he did the rest to collect his 21st league goal of the season.

The first half simply wasn’t good enough from the Colliers, but they fought back in the second.

The opening quarter of an hour of the second half was quiet, but there was half chances for Vincent and Talbot.

In the 62nd minute, Vincent had an effort blocked as it approached the line, before Pounder sliced wide after being teed up by Liam Cooke.

Liam Cooke and Jake Metcalf whipped a few further crosses into the penalty area, but they didn’t result in any further chances.

The Colliers may not have been creating much at this point, but they were certainly looking brighter than in the first half.

Persistence almost saw the Colliers halve the deficit in the 67th minute. Lewis Green found Metcalf and his cross found Adamson. Thankfully for the ‘keeper, Adamson’s header was straight at him.

With just over 20 minutes to play, the Green Army did halve the deficit. Pounder collected possession in a wide position, and his pinpoint cross picked out Adamson. Without much time, Adamson went for a first time volley. He connected with it perfectly, and Stewart was left with no chance.

The game was turned on its head when the Colliers pulled level only a minute later. Falling to him of the edge of the penalty area, Goundry opened fired and the Stewart couldn’t hold his effort. Despite Stewart’s best efforts, the ball trickled over the line and the Colliers were level.

Chances for a winner came at both ends as the game came to an end, but neither side could find a winner and the points were share.

Full-time: Bedlington Terriers 3-3 Easington Colliery

Next up for me should be Hartlepool FC vs Richmond Town on Monday.

Easington Colliery: Donaldson, Metcalf, Goundry, Pearson (c) (O’Brien, 79′), Ball, Liam Cooke, Green, Wood, Pounder, Vincent (Adamson, 62′), Talbot (Michael Cooke, 54′)

Unused subs: Smith, Lincoln Barrow

Bedlington Terriers: Stewart, Glass, Hall, Herron, Gibson, Locke (Miller, 75′), Clarke, Wardle (c), Young (Atkinson, 56′), Foalle, Lowery (Dobson, 64’)

Unused subs: Rowlandson, Gibbons

Admission: £5 adults, £3 concessions

Programme: £1

Attendance: 43

Cheeseburger, chips and a can of Coke: £5

Referee: James Lowery

Stockton West End vs Winlaton Vulcans

Although I missed it last year, the Durham Minor Cup final is normally an annual fixture now. I may never have seen a game in the competition prior to the final, but I’m more or less always at the final! I can’t remember the reason, but I wasn’t at the final last year. In 2015-2016, I was at the abandoned Minor Cup final between Hartlepool FC Reserves and Wear Valley and in 2014-2015, I watched Sunderland Oddies beat Middlestone Moor Masons Arms in the final. Tonight, there was meant to be a Peterlee and District Sunday League Division 1 Cup final at Easington and had it been on, I would probably have been there as quite a few of the Easington lads were playing. However, that was called off this morning and that left me with this game to do tonight. Considering all the rain we’ve had recently and overnight last night, the pitch at Eppleton was in a very good condition. There probably hasn’t been a great deal of games on the pitch recently. This game tonight was between a team in the 13th tier (Winlaton in the Northern Alliance Second Division) and a team in the 11th tier (Stockton West End in the North Riding League). Mind, to be honest, the North Riding League isn’t as good as the Wearside League in terms of standard.

To the game and it was Winlaton who started brightly. In the eighth minute, the Northern Alliance outfit worked the ball to number 8 but he fired harmlessly wide.

The same man had another chance only a minute later, but once again, he failed to find the target.

Other than an early offside, Stockton West End offered little, but they broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. A perfectly weighted ball played their forward in, and he slotted home to put the North Riding League outfit ahead.

A matter of 50 seconds later, West End doubled their lead. Another through ball played the number 11 in, and he confidently rounded the ‘keeper before tucking the ball into the net.

Winlaton looked for a response as the first half wore on, but all they could muster was a couple of blocked shots.

In the 40th minute, Winlaton came desperately close to halving the deficit. Number 10 did well to shake off his marker, and spotting the ‘keeper in no man’s land, he went for a delicate chip. It had the ‘keeper beaten, but bounced back off the inside of the post and into the ‘keeper’s hands.

A minute later, another good chance fell the way of Winlaton. Having worked the ball from one wing to the other, the ball eventually found number 4 with plenty of room but his effort darted narrowly wide of the bottom corner.

Following the break, Winlaton applied early pressure on Stockton West End.

Despite this, the Teessiders extended their lead in the 52nd minute. A sharp break gave number 10 a chance, and his powerful effort beat the ‘keeper to give Winlaton a mountain to climb.

A deflected Winlaton cross clipped the outside of the post in the 55th minute, before Winlaton’s number 2 skewed not too far over.

A couple of half chances fell the way of Stockton West End, but they were never going to trouble the Winlaton ‘keeper.

With 25 minutes to play, Stockton made sure of the win with a fourth goal. Having worked it forward, number 8 passed to 10 and his drilled effort found the net.

Just as the fourth official indicated five minutes of additional time, Stockton West End added a fifth goal. A low ball through took the Winlaton defence out of the game, and a confident finish wrapped up a good night.

However, Stockton weren’t to maintain a cleansheet. In the third minute of additional time, Winlaton’s number 3 drilled a cross into the penalty area and a fine first time volley picked out the bottom corner.

Congratulations to Stockton West End on the win. The 5-1 scoreline was very harsh on Winlaton though.

Full-time: Stockton West End 5-1 Winlaton Vulcans

Next up for me is Bedlington Terriers vs Easington Colliery tomorrow.

Admission: £3 adults, £1 concessions

Programme: Free with admission

Attendance: Probably about 180, plus another 30 on the balcony

Referee: Kevin Patterson

Crook Town vs Easington Colliery (At Consett)

Colliers claim three points away to Crook

Easington Colliery claimed a hard-fought 4-2 win over Crook Town at Consett on Tuesday night.

On a very foggy night, first half goals from Jack Pounder and David Vincent gave the impression it was going to be a comfortable night for the Colliers.

However, 20 minutes from time, Crook pulled one back, and they equalised with 12 minutes to play.

It was all to play for, but the Colliers lifted the game and claimed the win with goals from Lewis Green and Liam Adamson.

With no recognised centre half, the Colliers started with Brennan Ball and Aidan Goodey at centre half, while Jake Metcalf and Tom Goundry played full-back.

The Colliers started brightly and almost broke the deadlock within 45 seconds. A James Talbot cross found a way through to Liam Cooke. The Middlesbrough loanee took a touch before taking aim, but his effort darted narrowly wide with the ‘keeper beaten.

Further early half chances fell the way of Green and Pounder, but the ‘keeper saved on both occasions.

Talbot cushioned a volley wide with quarter of an hour played, before Pounder’s scuffed effort was saved.

Crook were creating very little in the opening 20 minutes, and it was only a case of saves and Easington not taking their chances which kept the Black and Ambers level.

In the 19th minute, Callum Liddicott’s save prevented Talbot. Cooke’s through ball found the former Hebburn Town man, but Liddicott’s good save kept the Colliers at bay.

The Green Army continued to dominate as further chances for both Vincent and Pounder were eventually dealt with.

Crook’s first half chance came courtesy of a corner just before the half hour mark. Adam Comby rose to meet it, but his header was too high.

Metcalf went close for the Colliers from a couple of corners, but he failed to find the target on both occasions.

Good link up play found Ethan Wood with 37 minutes played, but his shot failed to find the target.

With six minutes of the first half to play, the Colliers deservedly broke the deadlock. Pounder took down a long ball, turned his marker and blasted a sublime 25-yard strike into the top corner giving Liddicott no chance.

Three minutes later, it was nil-two. Goodey’s long-range shot was spilled by Liddicott, and Vincent was quickest to react to prod home the rebound.

Early second half chances fell the way of Vincent and Talbot, but neither could extend the Colliers’ lead.

The fog was prevalent throughout, but it seemed to worsen in the second half. You couldn’t see one side of the pitch from the other.

Liam Cooke and Pounder had further chances for Easington, but Liddicott produced saves on both occasions.

Crook had a little spell of pressure with 25 minutes to play, but Daniel Quine and Wayne Gredziak could only force comfortable saves from Kyle Donaldson.

Just as Crook’s short spell of pressure came to an end, they halved the deficit. A looping header bounced back off the crossbar, Joel Gordon was quickest to react to give Crook hope.

And, as the fog worsened even further, Gordon pulled the hosts level with 13 minutes remaining.

Now level, the hosts had their heads up, but the Colliers responded.

Seven minutes remained when Green regained the Colliers’ lead. An initial effort was spilled by the ‘keeper, but Green was there to fire home and silence the home crowd.

In the second minute of additional time, Adamson wrapped up the win. The ball found Adamson on the edge of the penalty area and he had plenty of time. Adamson opened fire, and there was nothing the ‘keeper could do.

Although they made hard work of it, the Colliers collected the three points which lifts them to within five points of sixth placed Tow Law Town.

Full-time: Crook Town 2-4 Easington Colliery

Next up for me is hopefully a game tomorrow.

Easington Colliery: Donaldson, Metcalf, Goundry, Green, Ball, Goodey (Lincoln Barrow, 76′), Liam Cooke, Wood (c) ,Pounder, Vincent (Adamson, 69′), Talbot (Michael Cooke, 60′)

Unused sub: Brian Smith

Crook Town: Liddicott, Wilson, Holliday, Joyce, Coles, Comby (c), Shields, Brown (Hackett, 51′), Paul (Gredziak, 46′), Quine (Gordon, 70’), Smith

Unused subs: Weston, Robertson

Admission: £5 adults, £3 concessions

Programme: £1

Attendance: 45

Chips: £1.50

Can of Pepsi: £1

Referee: Matty Carroll