2 days ago
Colliers hold out against Town after second-half sending off
Northallerton Town 1 Easington Colliery 2
Northallerton could have few complaints about a disappointing home defeat that ended their unbeaten start to the season.
Town only got going after being reduced to 10 men in the second half, and although they pulled a goal back it was always going to be a tough battle to salvage a share of the points against resilient opponents.
Manager Jason Newall was able to name a full-strength side, with skipper Liam Darville returning in midfield after a midweek injury, player-coach Jamie Harwood back in defence and Alistair Banks making his first start of the season up front alongside leading scorer James Sayer.
Starting with a strong wind at their backs, Town showed flashes of attacking intent in the opening stages.
Sayer headed narrowly wide from a James Coatsworth free-kick and Jack Stapley shot over the bar after a good build-up.
But it was Easington who seized the initiative with the opening goal in the 21st minute.
Dylan Elliott fired in a free-kick from the edge of the box that 'keeper Preston Leech got his gloves to, but he couldn't prevent the ball dribbling over the line.
It needed a great tackle by Darville on Liam Anderson to prevent the visitors extending their first-half lead, and the dangerous winger shot narrowly wide before the break as Easington went in as the stronger side.
Town's prospects were dealt a blow shortly into the second half when substitute Joe Wheatley, who had been on the field for only three minutes, was sent off for stamping on Easington replacement Dane Eltringham.
And things got worse in the 55th minute when the Colliers doubled their lead through centre-forward Thomas Bott.
Manager Newall promptly emptied the rest of his bench and it was fellow substitute Usman Ogidan who struck the sole positive note of the afternoon with his first goal for Northallerton after 77 minutes.
A cross by Jonny Haase was helped on its way by Sayer and Ogidan got the final touch from close range.
Town rallied strongly in the closing stages but Easington were able to hold out for a deserved victory.
Northallerton host Kendal Town in the preliminary round of the FA Cup at the Calvert Stadium on Saturday, August 16 (3pm).
Northallerton Town: Leech, Dale, Haase, Darville, Harwood, Allen, Stapley (Ogidan 63), Coatsworth (Wheatley 50), Sayer, Kitching (Nicholas 59), Banks (Brown 59).
Easington Colliery: Hopkinson, Barrow (Ford 84), Charlton, Agnew, Ord (Eltringham 12), Nelson, Tapping (Pearn 69), Elliott, Bott (Chisholm 69), Coote, Anderson. Att: 152.
