Eastwood Community 0-0 Mickleover Royals

When these two came up against each other earlier in the season Mickleover were clear winners by a five goal margin, and they would have been hoping for a similar outcome again. However there have been some big changes at Eastwood since and the visitors were up against a whole new animal this time around.

Not the best of games for a neutral, the best of the action came from the dugout, but Eastwood won’t have too many complaints after a well-earned point drags them off the bottom of the table. Mickelover will be disappointed with their performance in a game that they ought to have won, on paper.

Kye Hall was restored to the first team after missing last week’s defeat to Linby Colliery and immediately reminded everybody what they had missed when he took down a long pass and ran at the defence. He was held back and won the first free-kick of the game, an early indication of the trouble he can cause the opposition.

Eastwood continued the early pressure when Lee Bull had an opportunity to open the scoring, his header was aimed at the keeper and he failed to make the most of it.

Mickleover had their first chance of the game soon after when Davy Hamson was played through for a chance on goal, however he was adjudged to be offside and the referee called play back.

There wasn’t much for the fans to shout about, but staff and players in the dugout certainly found something to keep them occupied when the referee pulled up with a tight hamstring and brought a stoppage in play. Coaches and managers exchanged some harsh words whilst their players took a drinks break and waited for play to resume.

The second half started much the same with both teams trading possession through sloppy passes and brave tackling.

Eastwood looked dangerous on the counter with Bull and Hall’s constant harrying of the defence and running after direct passes, but the Mickleover keeper was able to deal with most of the trouble.

In the latter stages of the game Mickleover started to get their passing game going and kept a hold of the ball much better than they had been doing, but Eastwood’s back line was resolute and put in a real shift closing down the opponents.

Andy Fretwell had looked very confident between the sticks dealing with a number of Micklover crosses and was on hand again when called upon. Substitute Louis Menson finally found a way through and was one-on-one with the keeper, Fretwell spread himself well and turned his effort wide of the goal.

With both teams so evenly matched, you wouldn’t have known who was top of the league and who was bottom. The draw was perhaps a fair result and Eastwood had their chances to pull of an even bigger upset by nicking a goal.

Recent additions, a settled starting eleven and an upturn in performances have given their faithful fans something to cheer about and a more positive outlook on the end of the season. Based on this performance, it’s easy to see why.