INGLES 1-3 EASTWOOD CFC

Ingles FC…....….…1 (D.Tuck 15’)
Eastwood CFC…3 (Moore 30’, Knight 60’ pen, Curtis 64’)

A gutsy, professional display by the Red Badgers produced four wins in as many games against tricky opponents from Leicestershire.

Manager James Jepson made one change from the last outing; skipper Jared Holmes returned to the midfield replacing the unavailable Callum McGarry.

Eastwood made their intentions clear from the start and Joe Harrison tested Shay Abbell early doors. For the hosts, their busy forwards were prominent in the early exchanges and Mark Rathbone had to be alert to tip over a fine effort from Dan Tuck as early as the 5th minute. Eastwood powered forward at every opportunity with Blair Anderson prominent down the left flank, joining the forward play with regularity.

The opening goal arrived on 15. A poor defensive header to Rathbone left the 'keeper in no-mans land which allowed a grateful Mitch Woodbine with the chance to feed Dan Tuck who fired home.

Eastwood responded immediately in a wave of attacks with Gaz Curtis and the lively Kieran Knight to the fore.

Knight came close to equalising but had a goal disallowed for offside and the ever energetic Sam Moore had a header well saved by Abell, who was far the busier of the two goalkeepers. Time and again he thwarted the Eastwood frontline with last ditch saves, however the eventual equaliser did arrive on the half hour.

A super display of inter passing saw Moore round off a sumptuous move by drilling past Abell.

On goal chances alone the visitors should have been home and hosed but 1-1 at the break and all to play for.

The second half was turning out to be a mirror of the first with the away side continually on the front foot. Ingles, however, were always in the game as they relied on the counter attack with the Tuck, brother Michael and Dean Copson keeping Rathbone on his toes.

Josh Bowley went inches wide with a fine low shot after 55 minutes, but on the hour mark came the game changer.

After a bouncing ball in the home area was deemed to be handled by Declan Warden, referee Harry Price awarded a penalty much to the displeasure of the home side and their dug-out.

For his protestations Michael Tuck was sin-binned before Knight stepped up to send Abell the wrong way for the go-ahead goal.

The deficit seemed to knock the heart out of the Ingles outfit, and with 64 minutes played the game was put beyond doubt.

Moore fed Curtis in the box and the former-Sherwood Colliery marksman made no mistake in notching a third of the afternoon for the Red Badgers who registered their fourth consecutive win.

A terrific team performance and a deserved win away from home. Rathbone coped with everything throughout with a fine pair of hands.

The returning Jack Andrews made a composed comeback from injury and the full backs played an important part in a fine victory.

Steady play from the “triple H” combo in midfield and the front trio again frightened the life out of the home defence, as they have been doing all season.

Onwards and upwards as we approach a tricky week as we travel to Rainworth on Tuesday (20 Oct) before a blockbuster home game against the early pacesetters Ollerton Town next Saturday (24 Oct). Don't miss it!

Striker Gaz Curtis spoke post match:
"A good performance, first half we didn't start as we would have like but we grew into the game and in the second half we took control of the game. I always thought that once we got in front we would see it out. The first game of the season at West Bridgford we didn't play as well as we can but we're getting better every week and we're starting to dominate. There are a lot of experienced players in this team and that is really I wanted to come here, there are a lot of winners here and it's good to play with them. They are getting used to me and I'm getting used to them. We are clicking now and we're getting there. The front three have Blair coming into it from left back and it always links well. I've been here (The Dovecote) before with Sherwood and lost and also been here and won. Teams like this work hard and you've got to earn your points"

Returning centre-back Jack Andrews added his thoughts:
Yeah good game it's one of these places you have to come to and dig in. It's never easy here. We passed the ball fairly well in stages and got a good result. On a personal note it's good to be back, there's nothing more frustrating than watching football on the side-lines and it's great to be back with the lads and also good to get the three points. It was one of those games where once we nudged ahead and stayed solid we'd go onto get the three points. It was good to get 45 in the legs and I feel fit having trained away from the training ground. Yeah I feel good !

ATTENDANCE ~ 64
REFEREE ~ Harry Price
ASSISTANTS ~ Iain Danson and Dawid Farbicki

INGLES FC ~ Shay Abell, Adam Boulter, Bill Snaith, Josh Bowley, Jack Brownett, Dean Copson,
Jordan McCourt (Pearce Fox 76’) Dan Tuck, Duncan Warden (Jordan Sanders 73’) Mitch Woodbine,
Michael Tuck (C)
SUBS NOT USED ~ Morgan Schyler and Cal Payne
CAUTIONS ~ Bowley (44’ foul)
EASTWOOD CFC ~ Mark Rathbone, David Boafo, Ross Parker, David Leak, (Jack Andrews 45’),
Joe Harrison (Lavell White 69’) Jermain Hollis, Jared Holmes (C) Gareth Curtis, Kieran Knight,
Sam Moore (Jack Upton 74’)
SUBS NOT USED ~ Carl Westcarr and Jermaine Palmer
CAUTIONS ~ Holmes (57’ foul) Moore (68' foul) White (78’ deliberate handball)

Compiled, edited and submitted by Ian Williams