Stanley strikes to claim a point for Blues

The Blues came from behind three times to claim a deserved point in “challenging” conditions at Station Road in a game marred by a gale force wind which swept down the pitch. Kevin O’Neill was able to put out a much stronger side compared to the one which travelled to Easington last Saturday. Ricki O’Connell made his first appearance of the season and there were welcome returns for Rhys Stanley, Dom Swingler and Will Fry, though Sam Wilford was missing for the first time this season. Town faced the elements in the first half, and it soon became apparent that judging balls in both directions would pose problems. Vlad Dadu did well to prevent a disastrous start, putting in a well-timed challenge on Barron in the opening attack of the game. It was the home side, however, that struck first on 7 minutes as Ricky North fed Fry on the left, his turn and cross falling for Stanley who produced an excellent volley into the roof of the net. Joe Brumpton sent a first time shot from distance marginally too high, before Codey Donnelly foiled Hutchinson as he advanced on goal. Holden in the Easington goal was forced into a good low save, pushing another effort from Brumpton round the post, and then improved on this by blocking a drive from the same player. On 32 minutes the scores were level as good work by Barnett on the left resulted in a low cross which Dickinson turned past Liam Needham. Dickinson then produced a cross shot which shaved a post before the Blues fell behind on 42 minutes, a swirling free kick getting the better of the diving Needham allowing Barron to net from close range. With the wind at their backs, Town struck back immediately. Within two minutes of the restart Fry sent in an inch perfect ball from the left allowing Stanley to score his second from five yards out. The joy was short-lived, as a minute later Barron grabbed his second as the home defence waited for an offside flag which never came. Good skills from Dickinson saw Hutchinson failing to connect by inches in front of goal but the scores were level again in the 59th minute when yet another precise ball in from Fry was headed home by Stanley, giving him a deserved hat trick. Newark could have taken the lead as O’Connell bulldozed his way through the visitors’ defence before laying the ball off , the return ball reaching him on the rise and being skied high over the bar. Yet again Easington got their noses in front, a Hutchinson cross finding Fitzpatrick who showed excellent close skills as he beat Needham. It seemed as if the Blues would go unrewarded for their efforts, but were saved on 87 minutes as Brumpton laid the ball of for Joe Powell to unleash an unstoppable drive from 25 yards out which flashed past Holden to ensure the points were rightly shared.

Photograph by kind permission of Burt Graham