FA Cup: Easington Colliery set for Whitley Bay replay after six-goal thriller
Easington Colliery are preparing for a hectic period of home fixtures following their FA Cup draw at Whitley Bay.
Olly Hotchkiss is hoping Easington Colliery can make the most of home comforts as they prepare for a run of four home games in their next five games in all competitions.
The Colliers were due to travel to newly-promoted Redcar Town on Tuesday night - but will now host Whitley Bay in an FA Cup extra preliminary round replay on Wednesday after the two sides shared six goals at Hillheads on Saturday. Kevin Pearn grabbed the opener and there was a brace for a Aiden Stanton - but two goals from Whitley striker Mackenzie Sharpe and a Kieren Aplin goal mean the two sides will meet once again at Welfare Park in midweek.
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That fixture precedes a home league game against Penrith before Hotchkiss and his players travel to Cumbria next Tuesday night to take on Kendal Town. A run of three consecutive home games follows with Newton Aycliffe, Whickham and Crook Town all set to visit Welfare Park over the next fortnight - and Hotchkiss knows exactly what he wants from his players as they look to lay the foundations for another season of progression.
He told The Echo: “We know how important our home form will be this season because we are in a very, very tough division that is full of strong sides - but that’s the same for any club at any level because successful seasons are built on positive home form. We have been pretty strong in that aspect during my time at the club and the next few weeks will hopefully continue that because we have some big games coming up at Welfare Park and it’s down to us to make the most of them.”
Results: Carlisle City 2-0 Northallerton Town, Guisborough Town 0-1 Thornaby, Crook Town 4-0 Pickering Town, Knaresborough Town 2-1 Whickham, Newton Aycliffe 0-1 Kendal Town, Yarm and Eaglescliffe 2-2 West Auckland Town, Penrith 1-2 Bridlington Town, Blyth Spartans 2-0 Newcastle Blue Star, Newcastle Benfield 0-2 Redcar Town, Birtley Town 2-3 Bishop Auckland, Ashington 2-0 Horden CW, Shildon 4-1 Blyth Town, Consett 1-1 North Shields, Whitley Bay 3-3 Easington Colliery
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