Eastwood CFC completed their final pre season friendly against a very good, young, energetic Nottingham Forest XI - going down 4-2 at home. Although ECFC suffered their second successive defeat there where far more positives for them to take from the game than Saturday's disappointing performance against Ingles.

Eastwood were without Danny Hayes, Jack James, Harry Allen and Paddy Webb from Saturdays squad, so in came Dave Jones, Tom Coupe and Callum McGarry with Jamie Thomas, Rory Smith and John Whitehurst recalled to the starting eleven.

Forest started the game on the front foot and always looked dangerous going forward attacking Eastwood with pace with precise crisp passing football. Forest took the lead on 20 minutes when the impressive number 10 finished a flowing move.
Eastwood responded well with their front three of Jones, Mitchell and Whitehurst linking up in good areas. Mitchell especially was causing Forest the most problems with his positive play down the right side.

On 30 minutes Mitchell got clear but from the resulting cross couldn't direct his headed effort on target. Forest doubled their lead on 34 minutes after Walker made a fine save Eastwood couldn't clear the danger and the young Forest striker was on hand to finish from close range.

Half-Time: ECFC 0-2 NFFC

Eastwood created the first chance of the half but Kaylum Mitchell shot wide of the post. After some really good football Eastwood got their goal on 50 minutes Dave Jones finishing off a well worked move tapping home from six yards.

Forest restored their 2 goal advantage on the hour with a fine strike from the edge of the penalty area.In an entertaining half both sides created chances with Eastwood keeper Walker called upon to make several smart saves,while Conner Wren had the home side best chances with 2 headers from set plays. Kaylum Mitchell added Eastwood second on 85 minutes getting clear down the right side and finishing with a thunderous drive into the roof of the net.In the dying minutes Forest added the final goal of the game when Walker scuffed clearance fell straight to a Forest player who finished from inside the area.

Full-Time: ECFC 2-4 NFFC

Overall a very good run out for Eastwood CFC with more players gaining 90 minutes against talented opposition which will hold them in good stead for Saturday's first home game of the season against Gedling Miners Welfare.

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