Report

Casuals suffer a cruel cup exit

ERCFA Junior Country Cup R2

Easington Utd Casuals 2 – 2 Driffield E. I. Reserves

(After Extra-Time; Driffield won 7-6 on penalties)

THE Casuals’ perfect start to the 2011/12 season finally ended when they exited the East Riding Junior Country Cup at the second round stage.

Iain McNaught’s side came into the game against Driffield Evening Institute Reserves looking for the “perfect ten” after eight league wins and victory in the league cup the previous week.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.  Despite showing real character to twice peg back their Driffield League Premier Division opponents, the Casuals were eventually dispatched on ‘sudden death’ penalties.

Kurt Johansson’s late withdrawal was the only change for the Casuals who, along with their opponents, observed a period of silence beforehand to mark Remembrance weekend.

Moved on to the main pitch in the wake of the First Team’s postponement, the Casuals began brightly and Karl Hodgson’s looping header from the manager’s free-kick provided early encouragement.

However, as the half wore on the visitors began to impress and ask questions of the home defence.

On 20mins Thompson turned smartly but fired wide and, moments later, skipper Smith was off target when in the clear.  But they weren’t to be denied and Fraser converted from a corner on 28mins.

Suitably chastened, Easington equalised four minutes later. Skipper Dawson set Hodgson clear and his cross was met by Hope’s clever flick at the near post; 1-1.

The second half began badly.  After Thompson had stolen in unmarked to head just over from a long throw-in, the visitors restored their lead on 48mins; Manager Maccer’s attempted clearance being charged down by Kelner who strode on to slot past Akam.

Once again United bounced back; Hope racing onto Hodgson’s pass and finishing well.

Both sides had chances to win it.  Green’s effort was hacked-off the line at one end and Akam produced a fine stop to keep out Liam Cousins’ close-range volley at the other.

As the sun disappeared behind the Farm, the Casuals took a measure of control into extra-time.  Cundill fired wide when well placed in the first period, while Hope appeared to have strong claims for a penalty in the final moments; Campbell then failing to make the most of the loose ball. 

And so to penalties where excellent kicks from Stow, Thurkettle, Campbell and Kris Akam put the locals in the driving seat, especially so with Ben Akam’s fine stop leaving Easington 4-2 up.  But when Harrison managed to divert Findley’s penalty just wide of the mark, the visitors had a lifeline.

At 4-4 the drama increased as it went to ‘sudden death’.  Maccer’s miss was offset by another save and excellent spot-kick from Akam but when Dawson ballooned the next one, there was to be no let-off as Driffield scored to progress to the quarter-finals.    

Easington: B Akam, A McNaught, L Green (J Stow, 77), D Dawson, I McNaught, D Campbell, D Cundill, M Thurkettle, K Hodgson (K Akam, 77), J Hope, M Findley

Driffield: R Harrison, A De Siano, J Fraser, P Haminga, A Smith, M Smith, L Kelner, S Kirby, P Thompson, R Robinson ( L Cousins, 57), J Lucit (S Darling, 66) (sub: S Potter)

Referee: Craig Sperring (Hull)

Att: 25

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