ECFC 3-0 Hucknall Town

Eastwood have won their last two games against Hucknall prior to Wednesday night, the most recent of them wins coming back in September when they knocked Town out of the FA Vase with a 4-1 win. Despite back to back victories over the 'Yellows' Eastwood have never beaten Hucknall at home, both teams made changes from their regular starting eleven's.

Eastwood made four changes from the team that edged out Dunkirk in the FA Vase on Saturday; Harry Allen, Aaron Short, Chay Bettridge and Paddy Webb dropped to the bench in came Adam Hassall, Jack Smith, Joe Butler and Academy and Reserves top goal scorer Kieran Knight for his first team debut, Jack James also made his return from injury and he made the bench . Hucknall made four changes from their last outing Tom Hubbard, Elliott Pitt, Mitch Slawson and Jamie Crawford returned to the starting eleven while Lenford Jenkins, Sam Hawkins and Jordan Philips dropped to the bench and Shaun Smith has left to join Sherwood Colliery.

Eastwood started the brighter of the two sides Joe Butler's penetrating runs down the right hand side causing Hucknall's left back problems so much so that he was shown a yellow card after just six minutes. It was a very frantic opening ten minutes with both teams trying to get a foothold in the game

First real chance came after eight minutes Billy Brooks long ball down the line found Joe Butler who twisted and turned and got to the byline put in a great cross which evaded everyone, the ball eventually came out to Jack Smith who long range effort went well wide of the goal.

The home side were now in full control, a superb long field pass from Jack Walker was latched onto by Joe Butler who was unable to turn the ball home from a tight angle. From the resulting goal-kick Hucknall played a quick one-two however David Leak pass back was short as Kieran Knight closed him down nicked the ball off Randall only to see the ball flash across the face of the goal.

Eastwood opened the scoring after eighteen minutes when Jack Walker again with a great kick down field found Joe Butler who put in a cracking cross which was met with the chest of Adam Hassall who then poked the ball home.

No real clear cut chances in the remaining thirty minutes of the half Jack Walker pulled off a couple of decent saves neither team seemed to have that cutting edge in front of goal.

Half Time ECFC 1-0 Hucknall Town

Paddy Webb replaced Kieran Knight at half time after the teenager had picked up a injury.

Hucknall started the second half well trying to get numbers forward and cause Eastwood problems, Eastwood's defence stood strong though and were rarely threatened.

After an hour gone Paddy Webb picked up the ball at the half way line he found Adam Hassall who's dangerous cross was missed by the Hucknall defender and fell kindly for Joe Butler to hit a thunderous volley only for Mike Randall to pull out a top draw save .

Again Hucknall came forward looking to get that elusive equaliser, a high cross from the right was fumbled by Jack Walker but once again the attack fizzled out and the Eastwood defenders mopped up with ease. Hucknall had two weak penalty appeals waved away after claiming Jamie Thomas handled in the area.

Eastwood doubled their lead after seventy-three minutes, tenacious work in the centre of the pitch from Jack Smith he won the ball and played Paddy Webb through with a pass with the outside of his foot Paddy's great first touch set him up to lift the ball over Mike Randall in the Hucknall goal 2-0. It was soon three when again Jack Smith got on the ball threaded it through for Webb who finished coolly on the edge of the box and put away his seventeenth goal of the season.

FT: ECFC 3-0 Hucknall Town

Terrific performances all over the pitch for Eastwood special mentions to Jack Walker who looks like he is improving every week, Jack Smith did really well despite not starting a game since September he showed glimpses of the player he was last season, defensively Eastwood looked very sound with a solid back four and Reuban sat just in front. The game also showed what a strong squad Eastwood have got with the likes of Paddy Webb and Chay Bettridge available to bring on off the bench.

ECFC Team

Jack Walker
Greg Conn (c)
Jamie Thomas
Reuban Mitchell
Billy Brooks
Danny Hayes (Short 52)
Rory Smith
Jack Smith
Kieran Knight (Webb 45)
Joe Butler (Bettridge 75)
Adam Hassall

Subs
Aaron Short
Paddy Webb
Harry Allen
Chay Bettridge
Jack James

Hucknall Team

Mike Randall
Josh Henry
Elliott Pitt
David Leak
Ben Jones
Tom Hubbard
Jamie Crawford
Michael Banister
Mitch Slawson
Devante Reitte
Joe Ashurst

Subs
Lenford Jenkins
Sam Hawkins
Jordan Philips
Ben Wapplington

Goals; Adam Hassall (18), Paddy Webb (73,80)

Man Of The Match: Joe Butler (Never stopped running on the right hand side, getting up well and being strong in the air and was a constant danger to Hucknall every time he got on the ball.)

The win meant Eastwood have now won nine consecutive games and will be hoping to take that form in to the huge League game on Saturday against title challenges Pinxton.

Next Game

League
Home vs Pinxton
3pm Kick Off

By Zander Shayler