EASTWOOD CFC 3 -0 BORROWASH VICTORIA

Eastwood CFC …………...3 (Hollis 24’, Moore 34’, Anderson 89’)
Borrowash Victoria …….. 0

Manager Jepson made two changes to the side that had comprehensively overcome Shirebrook Town at the weekend, Blair Anderson and Callum McGarry returning to the starting eleven. Jared Holmes was rested on the bench with Sam Meakin unavailable.

This particular fixture has bought much joy for the homesters in recent years. The visitors, however, made a good start. Four minutes had elapsed when and Lynton Francis’ cute pass inside McGarry released Conor Roberts through but ‘keeper Mark Rathbone did well to save.

At the other end, Kieran Knight headed down Anderson’s cross to Sam Moore who scuffed a good chance wide from close range. McGarry then tested Danny Rigley with a fine set piece which the ‘keeper turned round the target.

The visitors were mostly confined to their own half as the Red Badgers upped the game with some fine football and the dangerous Knight tested Rigley again after 15 minutes with low effort and their dominance was rewarded in ten first half minutes.

On 24 a fine cross-field pass from Ross Parker found Anderson who skipped past Lewis Partridge. His inviting cross was only partially cleared to a lurking Jermain Hollis, on his birthday, on the edge of the box who fired home for the go-ahead goal and the hosts’ lead was doubled as Sam Moore followed up Callum Clarke’s half-hearted clearance to precisely pass Eastwood’s second past an isolated Rigley.

The Vics failed to roll over and Francis and livewire forward Roberts had sporadic chances and efforts but the home back line stood firm, as they have done most season.

2-0 at the break and the game looked comfortable. Borrowash introduced two subs in James Allen and Shay Wiggins and their introduction bought some semblance of order to their play which was lacking in the first half. The away team certainly upped their defensive game in an attempt to snuff out Eastwood’s front trio who looked threatening and sharp all evening.

McGarry, striding forward with purpose, saw a deflected shot saved before Gaz Curtis flicked wide on the half-turn from another Knight assist. Knight then went close to adding to the advantage when his quick fire turn-and-shot rebounded back off the foot of the post with Rigley well beaten.

With twenty minutes remaining Anderson found his way easily around substitute Allen before stinging the palms of Rigley, though their defensive stubbornness was eventually broken again a minute from time when Knight, in full flow, easily rounded Adam Morley to cut back for a waiting Anderson who slammed home Eastwood’s third of the night to add to Borrowash’s evenings woes.

Another fine all round team performance from the Red Badgers and a rise to 6th in the table. It’s difficult to see anyone upsetting them at home and the togetherness and sprit within the camp augurs well for the season ahead.

Full back David Boafo told me after the game:~
“Bit of a slow start from us tonight but as we settled into the game we began to move the ball about and created a few chances. Possibly should have had more and it was great to see birthday boy Hollis score and we were comfortable going in ahead at half time. On a personal note my form has been good, the pre-season went well and I’m feeling stronger and fitter with each game. Another clean sheet tonight and if we keep clean sheets we generally go on and win games. We work as a unit in training, take it into match day and going onto a run. Everyone plays a part and we have a long season ahead”

Fellow defender David Leak added his thoughts:~
“Nice to keep a clean sheet again. We kept the ball well, didn’t try and rush it. They tried to press us but we were patient and we took our goals well. They made a couple of changes which changed the tempo of the game, but we rode the first 10 minutes of the second half. In the end I thought we were good value for the third goal and the win. The lads are a well knit group now and we all have a crack together. Momentum is building up now and we’re looking good. We’ve also got strength in depth and bringing good players off the bench helps the cause and aids momentum. To emphasise Uppo, team Captain Jared and young Ben joined the fray from the bench tonight”

ATTENDANCE : 140
REFEREE ~ Gary Caley.
ASSISTANTS ~ Nick Lees and Mick Newton.

EASTWOOD CFC ~ Mark Rathbone, David Boafo, David Leak, Ross Parker (Jack Upton 82’), Jermain Hollis, Callum McGarry, Blair Anderson, Joe Harrison (Ben Wallis 89’), Sam Moore, Kieran Knight (c),
Gareth Curtis (Jared Holmes 78’)
UNUSED SUBSTITUTES ~ McKenna Parton and Carl Westcarr.
CAUTIONS ~ None

BORROWASH VICTORIA ~ Danny Rigley, Lewis Partridge (James Allen 45’) Chris Richards, Callum Clarke, Adam Morley, Leyton Nethercott, Conor Roberts, Morgan Bell, Joel Isaac (Adam Swain 68’), Lynton Francis (c) (Shay Wiggins 45’), Caleb Finlow
UNUSED SUBSTITUTES ~ Piers Thompson.
CAUTIONS ~ None