8:53am Tuesday 16th March 2010
By Derek Bish
AC MATRAVERS 1 Easton UNITED 3
RORY Palmer scored one and set up two more as Easton United struggled to overcome a hard-working AC Matravers side in the Dorset Senior League.
It looked as if it might be an easy afternoon for the Portlanders when Palmer netted inside the first four minutes.
However, Matravers put United under pressure and levelled matters, only for Palmer to set up Adam Skelton either side of half-time to grab the points.
“Matravers made us work our backsides off for it,” said Easton manager Chris Wilson. “From the first minute to the last they ran themselves ragged.
“They are not the most creative side but they were very workmanlike and a real credit to their manager – they pushed us all the way.”
Palmer tucked away the first from a corner as the islanders went in front soon after the kick-off, only for third-bottom AC Matravers to end a spell of pressure by levelling the match at 1-1.
However, Palmer found a way behind the home defence on the right-hand side and cut the ball back to Adam Skelton, who restored his side’s advantage just five minutes before half-time.
Easton’s first-half display infuriated Wilson, who said: “Our attitude wasn’t too good in the first half but the lads responded well in the second.
“It wasn’t a vintage performance but we got the job done. We’ve played better this season and not come away with anything.”
Goalkeeper Martin Rutland had to pull off a fantastic stop at the start of the second period as Matravers threatened to equalise again.
But it was the same combination of Palmer and Adam Skelton that settled the tie when a teasing cross from the former was met by the head of the latter, putting the game beyond the reach of Matravers, and Wilson was full of praise for Palmer.
“The week before he tore Wool to pieces,” said United’s boss. “He wasn’t quite at the races in the first half, even though he had a big influence, but really came to life in the second half and was much better.”
Easton: Rutland, Hayes, Oldrid, Kelly, Williams, A Skelton, B Skelton, Burch (Squibb 85), Chance (Lewis 65), Palmer, Carlile (Burley 65).
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