SELSTON 3-3 EASTWOOD CFC (4-3 after penalties)

SELSTON 3-3 EASTWOOD CFC
4-3 On penalties
BUILDBASE FA VASE (1Q)

BY IAN WILLIAMS
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Selston…………….…....3 (Gregory 35’, Roome 38’, Layton 89’ pen)
Eastwood CFC……...3 (Harrison 28’, Curtis 68’, Moore 61’)

Red Badgers defeated in penalty shoot out

Eastwood made the short trip to Selston to contest an FA Vase Qualifying game against Selston, members of the Midland League Premier Division. A thoroughly entertaining game in fine weather ended in disappointment for the Red Badgers in the most cruel way, the dreaded penalty shoot-out !

Both sides had plenty of chances from the off. Visiting ‘keeper Mark Rathbone had to be at his smartest in the opening forays as home striker Carl Moore testing his wits and positional ability. The home side used the wind and their long ball tactics to good effect early doors but the Eastwood defence was up to anything thrown at them aerially

George Layton tested Rathbone from distance and, at the other end, Kieran Knight asked questions of the home defence on more than one occasion. After one such venture towards the box in the 28th minute Knight was upended by Selston skipper Perry Marriot some 20 yards out for which the defender was duly yellow carded for his sins. After lengthy treatment for Knight, Joe Harrison took command of the situation and calmly despatched a fine free kick high into the top corner for the lead. Young 'keeper Matt Leam got a fingertip to the shot but was beaten by pace and accuracy. The visitors continued to press the home back line with guile and endeavour but with no clear cut chances to add to the lead.

The one goal advantage lasted barely 7 minutes as midfielder Oliver Roome subtly played in veteran forward Sean Gregory who despatched a low angled shot past Rathbone for the leveller. Worse was to come 3 minutes later. A long ball into the visitors box was not dealt with any conviction and Roome was on hand to neatly put his side ahead in the tie. Tails now up, the home side looked dangerous as they swept forward and a minute before the interval Rathbone again was called upon to keep out a stinging free kick from Grant Hackett.

The second half pretty much mirrored the first with Eastwood probing for the equaliser playing some fine football with Harrison and Jared Holmes orchestrating events from midfield. Selston were happy to sit back to protect their lead, relying on counter attacks urged on by a vociferous bench who had to called upon by the Officials to curb their over enthusiasm which, at times, bordered on the ugly. Constantly whinging and moaning from the home dug out seems to be the norm in North Notts.

68 minutes produced the reward. Sub striker Gareth Curtis had only been introduced 10 minutes before he made an impact. Harrison played him in and he scored to level the tie his low shot eluding the onrushing Leam. As was the case on Tuesday evening Eastwood laid siege to the home back line in search of the go-ahead goal and they were rewarded in the 84th minute. Superb interplay in the Selston area saw Curtis slip in fellow Sub Sam Moore to slide home from 12 yards.

The goal looked to have settled the contest BUT after a left wing Selston corner the ball wasn’t cleared. Amid a forest of legs and half tackles with the ball bouncing around Mr Hayes deemed that an Eastwood defender had unfairly challenged Jake Payling and pointed to the spot.

Despair for the visitors as George Layton despatched the kick beyond Rathbone. 3-3 and onto penalties.
With a save apiece from the 2 keepers it was down to Gregory to make sure with the 5th penalty to see the home side progress with a trip to Long Eaton in the next round.

Very harsh on Eastwood who, once again, could and probably should have won the game. The desire is there, the commitment is there but lady luck was certainly not shining on the Squad today.

First home league game next when we host Gedling Miners, 4-3 winners today at West Bridgford, next Saturday (26th)

ATTENDANCE ~ 172
REFEREE ~ Jason Hayes.
ASSISTANTS ~ Stephen Sears and Alex Smith.

SELSTON ~ Matt Leam, John Fones (Harvey Kozlwk 21’), Rory Davis, Tom Laister, Perry Marriott, Grant Hackett, Oliver Roome, George Layton, Carl Moore (Jake Payling 75’) Keenan Layton, Sean Gregory.
SUBS NOT USED ~ Jordan Black, Dean Bromley, Ben Moore.
CAUTIONS ~ Marriot (27' foul) Laister (47' foul)
EASTWOOD CFC ~ Mark Rathbone, David Boafo, Ross Parker,Sam Meakin, Callum McGarry, Joe Harrison, Jared Holmes (C) Jermaine Hollis, Blair Anderson (Sam Moore 61’), Kieran Knight (Ash Way 88) Jack Upton (Gareth Curtis 57’)
SUBS NOT USED ~ Ben Wallis, Jermaine Palmer, David Leak and McKenna Parton.
CAUTIONS ~ ~ Hollis (43' foul) Boafo (89' dissent)

Compiled, edited and submitted by Ian Williams