ECFC 2-1 Heanor Town

Eastwood Community stood firm against late pressure to record an excellent 2-1 home pre-season friendly win against Northern Counties East Premier Division Heanor Town on Monday night.

Eastwood had been 2-0 up with 20 minutes to go before conceding a needless penalty that saw Heanor pull a goal back and put the home side on the back foot.

But Eastwood stood firm with captain Jack Havron and new signing Carl Allsop rock solid.

Heanor had enjoyed the majority of the play in a goalless first half with Eastwood defending well.

The home side changed formation to 4-3-3 for the second half and within minutes of the kick-off were ahead from a corner.

New signing, former Derby County youngster Luke Coxon, found the net with a rocket volley from almost on the penalty spot.

That woke Heanor up and they pressed hard, with Eastwood reduced to counter-attacks. However, from one of those the home side went 2-0 up on the hour mark.

Keeper Andy Fretwell threw the ball to Dave Worger, whose 30 yard pass sent Kye Hall away. He bulldozed past two defenders and raced 25 yards to slot past the keeper.

Heanor began to make numerous changes to their side and increase the pressure.

It eventually told as Matt McCaul conceded a silly penalty by pulling Kieran Debrouwer’s shirt in the box, the deadly striker punishing him from the spot.

That made for an uncomfortable last 20 minutes for Eastwood, but they held on, despite numerous Heanor corners.

Eastwood Line up:
1 Andy Fretwell
2 Adam Bibby (Jake Danby 45)
3 Jordan Leeming
4 Carl Allsop
5 Jack Havron (Captain)
6 Jason Westwood (Luke Coxon 45)
7 Dave Worger (Steve Wright 77)
17 Matt McCaul
9 Kye Hall (Matt Clowes 79)
10 Tim Adcock (Kione Gordon 45)
11 Warren Hatfield

12 Luke Coxon
14 Jake Danby
15 Kione Gordon
16 Steve Wright
8 Matt Clowes

Courtesy of Eastwood Advertiser (John Lomas)