Easington Sports youth created history for the club last night knocking out Matlock Town from the FA Youth Cup to reach the first round proper. This is the first season in the club’s history where they have got past the First Round of Qualifying, winning a further two rounds to be in the draw which is to be made at the weekend. A brace from Harvey Allen (see picture) with a goal in either half and another from Jay Squire ensured ESFC Youth ended the game with a comfortable victory.

Easington started brightly and had better spells of possession in the early stages of the tie. Matlock pressed well which forced Sports to mix up their game and early forward passing stretched the Matlock defence. Rudi Wallet played Sam Lawrence through for the first chance of the game but the Matlock keeper saved well to deny Sports an early goal.

Matlock also posed a threat up top and their leading striker showed good movement and timing to race onto a through ball in between Tommy French and Ben Harris. The striker took a heavy touch and Easington keeper Tom Nash did well to smother the ball.

Sports’ midfield were often first to the second balls and Callum Riley and Lucas Hunter provided good protection allowing Rudi Wallet to continue to make direct runs down the left hand channel leaving space for other strikers. Sam Lawrence also threatened down the right with similar trademark runs and it was from one of these runs the first goal of the game occurred. Lawrence was played in around the half way line and he drove at the heart of the defence reaching the edge of the box. He was brought down by a heavy tackle but the referee played an excellent advantage with the ball fell to Harvey Allen who showed no hesitation curling a shot from the edge of the box into the far corner. 1-0 Sports

From a comfortable position in the game, Matlock then had their best spell of pressure. A long ball out of defence penetrated the Easington backline and Tom Nash had to again, stand big to make 2 excellent one on one saves after the pacey Matlock striker raced onto the through balls. Matlock eventually drew level with a similar goal to Sports. The winger from Matlock, cut in off the left and dribbled across the edge of the box. The player was half tackled and the ball fell kindly to the Matlock midfielder who shot early to catch Tom Nash off his line. 1-1.

Sports rallied and from a corner just before half time, they took the lead. A ball to the back post was headed in by Jay Squire to give Sports that precious lead going in at the break 2-1 up.

The second half was largely uneventful with both defences cancelling each other out. Sports had to withstand some early pressure at the beginning of the second half and survived a scare virtually from the kick off. The Matlock striker drifted to the far post and hooked a looping shot just over the bar.

Slightly against the run of play, Sports scored the decisive next goal in the game. The ball fell kindly to Harvey Allen after he jumped to compete for the ball. Allen then showed no hesitation down the left hand side and his direct running towards the goal took the defence out of the game. With the keeper rushing out and the defenders coming across, Allen showed great composure to slot past the on rushing keeper with his left foot.

Matlock resorted to more direct balls into the box as the half wore on. Tommy French and Teddy Kay enjoyed the battle at the back and when they didn’t head clear, the rest of the backline and Nash dealt with anything into the box. In a quieter second half, Tom Nash was left with routine claims and shots to deal with.

With both teams realising the importance of the result, the game became more scrappy and tiredness also played a part. Sports were able to make the most of a full bench to maintain the energy and finished with some half chances of their own. Olly Andrews shot over in the last minutes of the game which would have finished off a fine team move.

Credit to both sides for an entertaining game, but there can only be one winner and it was Sports through to the first round proper. A fantastic achievement for the boys which we know they will savour and will keep in the memory…

124 teams will now be going into the draw for the First Round. That’s 45 from the EFL, as well as those who have come through the qualifying stages.

Thus far, a number of teams from the non-league scene have qualified. They are Radcliffe, Mangotsfield United, Hertford Town, Walton & Hersham, Tonbridge Angels, Kidderminster Harriers, Boldmere St. Michaels, AFC Telford United, Burgess Hill Town, Slough Town, Erith Town, Tiverton Town, Oxford City, Carlisle United, Merstham, Forest Green Rovers, Chippenham Town, FC Halifax Town, Easington Sports, Hamble Club, and Bracknell Town.
League sides will now be entering the draw and Sports hope for a league side to set up another exciting game for the boys…