Southwell City 1-1 ECFC

Eastwood were without regular midfield players Jack James and Rory Smith. Greg Conn was switched from full back with Chay Betteridge making up the midfield three. Jack Smith returned from injury replacing James Hallam.

Eastwood started the game on the front foot and created the first clear chance of the game but Conn couldn't direct his headed effort on target from 8 yards. Eastwood created several more chances in the opening minutes but were wasteful and much to often made the wrong decisions in and around the penalty area.

Eastwood had a let off on 25 minutes when Southwell were awarded a penalty after Brooks was harshly adjudged of a foul inside the area. The resulting penalty was dispatched sending keeper Walker the wrong way but the referee ordered a retake which was blazed over the bar. The home side were now causing Eastwood more problems going forward with their 2 strikers who were a constant threat all game. On 30 minutes Eastwood had a good shout for a penalty for a clear handball which was ignored by the officials. Five minutes later Eastwood were awarded a penalty for handball which seemed harsh on the home side. Chay Betteridge penalty was blocked by the keeper but Betteridge was on hand to follow up to stab the rebound home.

In a very scrappy second half which wasn't easy on the eye Eastwood struggled to gain any amount of long periods of possession and when they did threaten the Southwell back line their final ball continually let them down. With Eastwood unable to keep hold of the ball their defence became more and more under pressure and at times were left exposed as Southwell pushed for an equaliser again with their strikers causing Eastwood problems. Southwell's equaliser duly came on 71 minutes when Moran strike was deflected pass Walker from the edge of the area.

In the final 15 minutes of the game both sides pushed for the winning goal.Jamie Thomas had a goal ruled out for off side while Stocks effort was well blocked by Walker. In the dying minutes of the game Kane Mathews direct free kick for Easrwood went narrowly wide from 20 yards. Eastwood were awarded another penalty on 88 minutes. With Betteridge and Smith having been substituted Paddy Webb took the responsibility for the spot kick but unfortunately for the young striker his effort was well saved by the keeper.

ECFC Team:

1 Jack Walker
2 Jamie Thomas
3 Kane Matthews
4 Greg Conn
5 Aaron Short
6 Billy Brooks
7 Chay Bettridge
8 Kelvin Mushambi
9 Patrick Webb
10 Jack Smith
11 Harry Allen

12 Kyle McDermott
15 James Hallam
16 Takunda Mushambi

Man Of The Match: Billy Brooks