We hit the road this weekend for the first of four consecutive UCL away fixtures during November. Our destination is Easington Sports, a club on the southern edge of the league’s catchment area and nestled in the suburbs of Banbury, a mere 84 miles from Bridge Road by the most direct route.
“Easington Sports again” I hear you say, “We only played them a few weeks ago!” Well, yes, you are correct, but the thinking behind it is that it is better to get these long-distance games done and dusted before the weather turns against us and games start getting postponed; nobody wants to be going on a 168-mile round trip to Banbury and back for a rearranged fixture on a Tuesday night!
Since their 5-3 defeat at Bridge Road four weeks ago, Easington have experienced some extreme highs and a few lows so far as results are concerned. In their very next game after playing us, they became the first team this season to take three points from Nuneaton Town, beating the league leaders 3-0 for what must rank as the biggest upset of the season to date. They followed up that remarkable result by losing 0-3 against Northampton O.N. Chenecks in front of their own fans, only to bounce back up again the following week with a 1-4 victory at Godmanchester Rovers. Most recently, they beat Goring United 5-0 at home on Tuesday night in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup.
What we might conclude from Easington’s recent run is that they are having little trouble finding the back of the net, but they have one or two issues with their back line. The same might be said of the Stutes at present as despite getting 23 points out of a possible 27, we have conceded 3 goals or more in 10 of our last 17 games. It is an anomaly that our management team will no doubt be working hard to resolve, and it will need to be put right if we are to retain the momentum that Mark, Matt and Wayne have built up since taking over the reins at Bridge Road.
Our defensive frailties were on show again at Soham Town Rangers on Tuesday night when, for the third game in a row, we conceded three goals. (Unfortunately, our video camera failed to turn up for the game so we don’t have the usual video highlights for you, but you may wish to see the goal highlights recorded by Soham Town Rangers HERE). But while we are leaking goals at the back, our front three have been firing on all cylinders lately and with devastating effect. Danny Baulk is just shy of a goal in every other game since his arrival from St Neots and Jordan Foster is proving to be a shrewd acquisition with five goals in his last eight appearances. As for Connor Barnes, 16 goals in 19 games. Need we say more?
Easington Sports are in their fifth season in the United Counties League Premier Division South but have yet to finish in the top half of the table. The honours between us have been quite evenly shared with Easington winning three of our previous meeting and Histon winning four. The corresponding game last season finished in a 1-3 win for the Stutes with Matty Allan and Luke Crisp (2) getting the goals.
Entry to the game on Saturday is at the very reasonable rates of adults £6, concessions £4 and U16s free if accompanied by an adult. Spectator parking is available in Springfield Avenue, which has the postcode of OX16 9JF. The facilities at Easington are more than up to scratch should you need refreshments after the two-hour drive and the locals are generally a friendly bunch. The team greatly appreciates the support you give them away from home and your presence on Saturday will no doubt give them the extra encouragement they might need to get another tree points.
On Sunday, our undefeated Ladies team will be trying to make it thirteen league wins in a row since the start of the season when they take on Real Bedford Ladies Reserves in the Eastern Region Ladies League Division One North. The bar will be open throughout the game and kick-off is at 2.00pm.
