Quorn 1-2 Eastwood CFC

Eastwood again had to make late changes due to injuries loosing Sam Meakin and Aaron Short. Jack James was moved to centre half and Tom Coupe came in at left back.

Quorn dominated for long periods of the first half with their slick passing and movement which Eastwood struggled to cope with and Eastwood struggled to keep possession for any length of time to relieve the pressure which was mounting on their back four.

Eastwood suffered another injury blow on 20 minutes when Rueben Mitchell was replaced by John Whitehurst. Eastwood gradually played themselves into the game and began to ask more questions of the home defence. On 38 minutes Quorn took a deserved lead when Hart and Howard combined well for Geddes to finish from close range. Eastwood almost responded immediately after Kieran Knight worked himself some space inside the penalty area but his final shot went into the side netting. On the stroke of half time Eastwood keeper Walker produced a fine one handed save tipping a powerful strike around his post.

Half-Time 1.0

In the second half Eastwood had far more possession than the first and posed more of a threat going forward. On 50 minutes Rory Smith had a effort well saved by the home keeper. Eastwood equalised 9 minutes later when Danny Hayes got in front of his marker and scored in the far corner with a brilliant glancing header from a Rory Smith corner. Quorn still posed a threat going forward but generally Eastwood's back four coped really well all of which had fine games winning tackle after tackle and blocking any efforts at goal by the home side.

On 71 minutes both sides were reduced to ten men. Quorn striker Hart kicked out at centre half Jack James and the Eastwood player retaliated leaving the referee no option but to produce 2 red cards. The final 20 minutes were very open with both sides looking to win the tie on the day it was Eastwood who got the second goal on 83 minutes. The home keeper poor clearance to his centre half was pressured by Jack Allen and the loose ball fell to Paddy Webb. Webb still had plenty to do when he cut inside and curled his effort into the bottom corner sending the large contingent of away fans home very happy.

Full-Time 1.2

Eastwood CFC Team

Jack Walker
Billy Brooks (c)
Tom Coupe
Reuben Mitchell (Whitehurst 21)
Jack James
Danny Hayes (59)
Rory Smith
Joe Butler
Kieran Knight
Patrick Webb (83) (H Allen 89)
Chay Bettridge (J Allen 76)

Subs
Harry Allen
John Whitehurst
Gregg Conn
Jack Allen

Man Of The Match: Danny Hayes