SHIREBROOK TOWN 1-4 EASTWOOD CFC

Shirebrook Town……1 (Mitchell 90’)
Eastwood CFC………4 (Curtis 7’,49’ Parker 14’, Knight 67’)

2 goal Gaz Curtis (pictured above) sets up Eastwood away day success.

A superb all round footballing display by the whole squad returned maximum points in a tricky away contest. As early as the third minute the away teams intentions were abundantly clear as they powered forward. Gaz Curtis cleverly played in his strike partner Sam Moore and Town had their 'keeper Michael Ball to thank for keeping out the latters goal bound shot with his legs.

Three minutes later and the pressure paid off. Kieran Knight floated an inviting free kick out on the left onto the head of Curtis who made no mistake with a deft header which found the corner. More was to follow in the 14th minute after a game of head tennis in the opposing area wasn't dealt with by the home defence and David Leak's header towards the target was met by Ross Parker, lurking at the far stick, who guided the ball home for the big defender's first goal of the current campaign.

Shirebrook offered only sporadic counter attacks, but their decent last third play, particularly down the left by Luke Manlove and Kieran Ordridge, was met with stubborn resistance by the Eastwood defence, once again superbly marshalled by Parker and Leak. At the other end superb centre forward play by Knight was causing panic in the defence time and again which kept Ball busy in the home goal.

The homesters went close as the half drew to a close and Mark Rathbone saved well with his legs at his near post from Josh Turner. From the resulting corner a decent headed effort from Joe Harris just cleared the crossbar.

2 goals to the good at the interval and the Red Badgers very good value for their lead. Only 4 minutes had elapsed and the job was almost complete. A free kick out wide right was despatched with aplomb and accuracy by Joe Harrison onto the head of Curtis who made no mistake with his head for his sides third. Moore and Knight were causing havoc with their direct running at the home defence and Moore was only stopped from adding to the lead on 58 after a last ditch but fair tackle in the box by Craig Purcell.

The home side, to be fair, never gave up and continued to try and salvage something from the game with both Sam Allcock and Purcell testing Rathbone, albeit from range. Midway through the half came the icing on the cake. A long ball downfield from Rathbone saw the ball deflect off a defenders head and invitingly into the path of Knight some 22 yards from the goal. Taking a touch, he powered forward and unleashed a shot that sped past Ball with accuracy and pace into the top corner. A fine strike that would have graced any ground in the country.

Still Eastwood powered forward to add to the advantage and Parker's header just cleared the post and again Knight continued his tormenting of Ball and his defenders. Shirebrook had no answers to the free flowing football from the visitors but in the final minute got some reward for their efforts when Grant Mitchell volleyed home a consolation.

For the second week running the Eastwood back line and keeper were superb and the TripleH midfield formation of Hollis, Holmes and Harrison bossed the game all afternoon with some fine distribution to the eager running front three. All three substitutes also chipped into what was a fine all round team performance.

There's now a distinct togetherness and belief about the whole group which is now beginning to bear fruit where it matters - on the pitch.

Left back Sam Meakin had this to say post match:
"The lads were class today from back to front. The back line were great. They put a little pressure on us towards the end of the first half but the second half we dug in well. We've got a good vibe in the group now, we all know each others jobs and we just got to keep going. Onto the next game now and just need play our game and we need to keep the pressure on to challenge for those top league places. Pre-game the Gaffer gives us all jobs to do and when we go out we all know what we're doing. The midfield played well and got the ball quickly out to Gaz and Mooro and it paid off. If someone makes a mistake we put an arm around them then get on with it"

Ross Parker added this insight:
"Good game all over the pitch to be fair. Grafted hard and seem to want it more than them and our quality showed in the end. Disappointed not to get a clean sheet and concede right at the end. It's a pleasure to play at the back and watch the midfield pass the ball around and create chances and that makes our job easier. Because of the conditions we didn't play out from the back much but that was discussed before the game but we stuck to the game plan and got the job done. Two home games to come now and it will be nice to play on that surface. We'll get the ball moving on there in a different performance and we should be looking at six points from those next two games"

ATTENDANCE ~ 78
REFEREE ~ Martin Beard
ASSISTANTS ~ Tristan Churcher and Brett Hovey

SHIREBROOK TOWN ~ Michael Ball, Joe Harris, Kieran Ordridge, Craig Purcell (C) Ryan Ordridge,
Ryan Bates, Sam Allcock, Aidan Ordridge (Ryan Collins 68’) Joe France,
Josh Turner (Grant Mitchell 65’) Luke Manlove (Aaron Williamson 65’)
SUBS NOT USED ~ Jordan Parsons and Liam Moore.
CAUTIONS ~ (Manlove 36’ foul)

EASTWOOD CFC ~ Mark Rathbone, David Boafo, Ross Parker, David Leak, Sam Meakin (Ben Wallis 77’) Joe Harrison, Jared Holmes (C) Jermain Hollis, Kieran Knight (Blair Anderson 76’) Gareth Curtis, Sam Moore (Callum McGarry 69’)
SUBS NOT USED ~ McKenna Parton and Carl Westcarr.
CAUTIONS ~ None.

Compiled, edited and submitted by Ian Williams