Andrew Nelson opened the scoring in the first half before three goals in quick succession with Liam Wright and a Thomas Bott brace, all scored within 15 minutes of each other.

Easington’s manager Olly Hotchkiss made a singular change from last Saturday’s victory over Guisborough Town with Nelson replacing Dane Eltringham in the starting 11.

It was a slow start at Welfare Park with the first real chance of the game coming just before the 20th minute mark. Luke Pearn with some great footwork managed to get a strike away from just inside the penalty area but it fell straight into the keeper’s hands.

In the 21st minute, the deadlock was broken when James Fairley played an excellent ball through to Nelson who calmly slotted the ball past the keeper putting the home side a goal in front.

A flurry of chances for both teams followed, the first coming for Wright who was on the end of a Bott cross and whose effort forced a great save from Crook’s keeper Ben Fairless.

Two minutes later, in the 26th minute, a Fairley cross seemed to confuse Crook’s entire backline allowing Bott a free header at the back stick which ricocheted off the bar.

Crook’s first dangerous chance of the game came just before the half hour mark, when Cieran Jackson’s initial effort fell into the path of Sonni Coleman whose strike was well held by Keaton Marrs in the Easington net.

In the 41st minute, a Wright cross found Pearn in the centre of the penalty area whose shot was blocked. Both players and fans thought the shot was blocked illegally but nothing was given by the referee.

Two minutes before the end of the first half, Bott made a great run into the box, managing to get past two defenders before laying the ball into the path of Josh Barnett who struck the ball straight at the keeper.

In the 52nd minute, Crook’s Cory Nicholson received two yellow cards in quick succession. The first coming for an initial foul on Ethan Ord with the second awarded for dissent. It was fair to say that the travelling supporters were unhappy with the referee’s decision.

At the hour mark, Easington doubled their lead. Bott, again involved, crossed the ball into the feet of Wright who took one touch for composure before curling his effort into the bottom right-hand corner.

Nine minutes later, Easington put the game to bed when Bott smashed the ball home from outside the box leaving the keeper with no chance of stopping it.

In the 72nd minute, Easington were obviously enjoying themselves, with no one more than Thomas Bott as he found himself unmarked in the opposition’s area before placing the ball past the keeper. Two goals on the opposite end of the spectrum for the big man up front.

Full-time: Easington Colliery 4-0 Crook Town

A brilliant performance from the Colliers as they put together a late push for the play-offs. An excellent display from Bott who seemed to be involved in every attack.

Easington Colliery: Marrs, Barnett (Hunter,90), Ord, Kenney (Garside,81), Taylor, Nelson, Pearn (Charlton,81), Hennis, Bott, Fairley, Wright (Tapping,70)

Unused Sub: Hopkinson

Referee: Andrew Rice

Attendance: 161

BY JOHN TALLENTIRE