Ollerton Secure Opening Day Win At Easington!

Ollerton were victorious on the opening day of the new season after a triumph away at Easington United. The Town lost 3-1 in the corresponding fixture last season but this time Ollerton made the long journey back in a much better mood after winning 4-1 thanks to goals from Liam Carver, Jamie Charlton, Kyle Clarkson and Craig Stanton.
It was a different looking Ollerton side from that 3-1 defeat last season after a big summer of recruitment by the management team. Several players made their first starts for the club whilst Simon Smith and Kyle Clarkson both started after returning to the club after spells away.
Ollerton started the game the brighter, playing some good football and creating the better of the chances which was shown when seven minutes into the game, they had the ball in net. Gary Armstrong played Jamie Charlton through on the right, the striker slid the ball across the box and Clarkson tapped in. However, the goal was controversially ruled out as the linesman ruled that Charlton had been unable to keep the ball in. The Ollerton faithful behind the goal obviously disagreed.
Despite Ollerton’s strong start, Easington scored the opening goal against the run of play after 20 minutes. A cross field ball wasn’t dealt with properly by Ollerton and Alex Dickinson was on hand to tap past Simon Smith.
A minute later however, Ollerton were level. From kick off, the ball was worked out to Liam Carver on the left wing and his cross-come-shot found its way into the back of the net, beating Easington ‘keeper Charlie Holden.
Ollerton continued to put Easington under pressure and came close to taking the lead. Kyle Clarkson hit the post after being played through one-on-one whilst The Town had another goal ruled out after Charlton was judged to have been offside when he tapped in Stanton’s cross.
Before the interval however, Ollerton were ahead. The ball was played back to Holden in the Easington goal and he hesitated which allowed Charlton to close him down and Holden’s attempted clearance struck Charlton before rolling into the net.
The second half was more of a dull affair yet Ollerton were still able to get two more goals. Ollerton moved 3-1 ahead just before the hour thanks to Clarkson. Charlton held the ball up well before playing Armstrong in down the left wing. The midfielder did brilliantly to get to the ball and whip in a cross for Clarkson who was waiting to tap home.
Charlton was involved again in Ollerton’s fourth. Ollerton captain Craig Stanton played him through with a brilliant ball and as he charged through on goal, Charlton saw his ankles clipped and the referee had no choice but to point to the spot. Stanton stepped up to take the penalty and opened his account for the new season with a calm finish.
Easington were nearly gifted a second goal but after Jordan Schofield’s missed placed pass found an Easington striker, Smith saved the initial effort before Schofield did well to recover and clear the rebound off the line.
Ollerton nearly added another late on but Callum Atkinson, with 15 on his shirt, failed to make the score 5-1 as he chipped over when played through one-on-one.
It was a strong performance for Ollerton and a good win which gave them a great start to the season. With two difficult games ahead against Glapwell and Harworth, a win was the perfect way to head into those games.