The Whites have had a great start to life in the UCL winning five of their six matches taking them within five points of league leaders Sherwood Colliery, with two games in hand. Saturday’s game will be Lincoln’s first league fixture in September having progressed in the League Cup and FA VASE on penalties. A First Qualifying Round win against Kidsgrove Athletic was rewarded with a home tie against step three side Worksop Town, the game was goalless at the break but a red card for Ted Gibbons early into the second half swayed the tie in favour of the Tigers who ran out eventual winners.

Following a lapse in concentration from Eastwood in the final minutes of their FA VASE game last Saturday joint bosses Martin Ball and Daryll Thomas challenged their players to make sure they are on top form this weekend “ After 2 difficult games away from home against Sherwood Colliery and Southwell City in the FA Vase it’s great to be back in league action at home.”

“Last weekend although we won the game we were left annoyed at the way we let our standards drop in the last 10 mins and conceding lazy goals again, in truth Southwell were the better team first half and should of been ahead but as we said at half time, sides from lower leagues naturally raise their games when playing higher opposition so we were pleased we found the answers and qualified to the next round.”

“Saturday’s visitors we know well and know a lot of the players from our time at Carlton Town, we expect them to be attacking but direct they’ll be a really experienced bunch so anything short of our best won’t be good enough but again we believe if we play how we can that we can win the game especially at home. It has all the ingredients for a fantastic game we hope to see the Eastwood faithfully out in force again to cheer on the lads and hopefully three points.”

It’s worth pointing out since the opening day defeat to Melton the Red Badgers have won all five of their home games scoring seventeen goals. Aside from the Melton defeat the side has lost just once at home since January.

Player Watch: Centre Forward Jack Mcmenemy is a key player to watch, the centre forward has already scored six goals this season. Goalkeeper Jack Steggles has also been on top form, the former Carlton Town keeper has kept five clean sheets this campaign.

Previous Meetings: Saturday will be the first time Eastwood CFC have met Lincoln United since the Red Badgers inception in 2014. Eastwood Town’s final ever fixture on Saturday 18th January 2014 was against Saturday’s opponents The Whites running out comfortable 3-0 winners. United’s last visit to Coronation Park was a happy one almost ten years to the day a first half strike from Brendan McDaid was enough to take all three points back to Lincolnshire with the fixture watched in front of a crowd of 93.

Squad Update: Following the disappointing performance at Southwell changes are expected for Saturday’s huge league clash. Ryan Tait is set to be sidelined for up six weeks after limping off in the FA Vase last Saturday, Billy Bennett also isn’t fit. Aaron O’Connor misses the second of his three game ban, Lavell White trained this week but is still carrying a back injury that will see him out for a few more weeks. Tom Maddison has left the club and Isaac Warner has joined FC Sez on a short loan. Oliver Robinson is fit and available again as is Jordan Knight who returns from his loan at Gedling Miners Welfare, new signings Ben Gowing and Daniel Elliott are also in contention for a place in Ball & Thomas match-day sixteen.

OTHER NEWS we have been drawn at home against Kimberley Miners Welfare in the second round of the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup with the tie set to take place on Wednesday 18th October TBC.

Saturday 30th September 2023
United Counties Premier Division North
Eastwood CFC vs Lincoln United
3pm Kick Off
Coronation Park, Chewton Street, Eastwood, Nottingham, NG16 3HB
Adults £7
Concessions £5
Under 16’s Free (with a paying adult)

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