HUCKNALL TOWN 1-2 EASTWOOD CFC

Hucknall Town……..1 Butler 75’)
Eastwood CFC……..2 (Moore 34’, 90+2’)

Red Badgers Skipper Jared Holmes was still missing through injury as was Sam Meakin. Recent signing Jordan Turner was included in the squad and took his place on the bench.

The weather relented, the rain ceased and the sunny afternoon was welcome to a large crowd eager to see a good local derby between two old rivals.

The attacking prowess of Eastwood was evident from the off and, as early as the third minute, Kieran Knight fed his strike partner Sam Moore who forced Jake Pearson into immediate action saving Moore's shot with his legs. The Yellows defence were working overtime to thwart the speed of Eastwood's attack on the break and 10 minutes in another fine effort from Jermain Hollis was kept out after a fine run down the right from David Boafo. Hollis again tested Pearson' reflexes with a header soon after and Knight's headed effort flew just wide. Jack Andrews then had a goalbound header acrobatically cleared off the line by Michael Bannister.

The Hucknall defence were playing a dangerous high line in an attempt to frustrate the red Badgers front line and a succession of offside decisions kept Moore, Knight and company at bay. When Hucknall broke out of their defensive bubble Grant Ryan fired a wicked shot on 23 from distance which had Mark Rathbone scrambling but doing well to palm the ball around for a corner.

Seeking to remain on top of their near neighbours Eastwood continued to pour forward with Moore again going close on the half hour and Blair Anderson testing Pearson with a low shot well held by the 'keeper. The reward for their dominance arrived in the 34th minute. After another surge into the home box the ball was cleared by a desperate defence. The corner was despatched with his now accustomed pace and accuracy by Joe Harrison. Moore met the ball centre of goal and his header flew past Pearson.

The Yellow's attacks were few and far between. The visitors back line were assured and disciplined, the midfield kept ticking over with Andrews dominating and the attacking duo causing panic every time they ventured into the home box. As the half time approached no neutral in the bumper crowd could have denied Eastwood their superiority. Two desperate goal line clearances by Oliver Brown kept the scoreline down.

Drama a minute from the break - a goalbound shot from Ryan Grant was kept out, many thought by a defensive hand and Mr Lord waving claims for a penalty away much to the displeasure of the Hucknall players and the partisan crowd. As the ball was cleared Ryan and Harrison clashed out wide left. The Referee deemed that the Hucknall forward was guilty of dangerous play and produced the red card. Mayhem ensued. The tackle looked a little tame but Harrison was clearly fouled and Ryan claimed later that he (Harrison) had dipped his head low and was caught with his accidental elbow. Mr Lord clearly saw some intent and aggression from the big striker.

Handbags ensued but Ryan was sent off and left the field eventually with the locals baying for Mr Lord's blood.

The second half was a mirror of the first and Pearson was kept busy keeping the Eastwood attack at bay and in the 52nd minute he made the save of the day denying Knight a second for the visitors. Yet another goal line clearance by Brown frustrated the eager Eastwood forwards.

Joe Butler was introduced just before the hour mark and he bought some sort of organised semblance to Hucknall's play. His hard work was rewarded with 15 minutes left as he latched onto a Jordan Phillips downward header to volley home. Cue celebrations from the home stands and now all to play for.

Despite their superiority Eastwood couldn't find a way to add to the scoreline and the home goal led a charmed life as again and again the home defence stubbornly refused to be beaten. Moore had other ideas though and 2 minutes into added time the goal that broke the Yellow's hearts.

Debutant Jordan Turner won a free kick some 20 yards out. From the resultant free kick Callum McGarry floated a delightful ball high into the box which was met by Ross Parker at the far post. His cute header flew across goal and Moore was quickest to react to bundle the ball over the line.

A superb team performance sprinkled with guts, fire and a strong desire to win an important derby and take top spot in the League table.

A "never say die attitude" and a will to win with some outstanding individual performances, none more so than Jack Andrews who bossed the game from start to finish. The back line were uncompromising, keeping the Hucknall attack at bay and the front unit, as always, a menace all afternoon.

Captain Kieran Knight had this to say post-match:
"Good result, the boys dug in deep today and we controlled the majority of the game. In the end I thought is was a fair result. Myself, I missed several chances but we kept going to the end and got the three points and the lads did us proud. We go top now but Sherwood have games in hand and we still have to play them and they are looking a strong side but we keep going to the end"

Further quotes and some thoughts from the Gaffer:~
https://www.eastwoodcfc.co.uk/news/hucknall-town-12-eastwood-cfc-2581899.html

ATTENDANCE ~ 298
REFEREE ~ Gary Lord
ASSISTANTS ~ Nick Lees and Mick Newton.

HUCKNALL TOWN ~ Jake Pearson, Courtney Bartley, Aaron Short(C) Michael Bannister (Joe Butler 55’) Oliver Brown, Rory Smith, Jamie Crawford (Eugene Francis 68’) Sam Sims, Grant Ryan,
Joe Ashurst (Adam Nelson (68’) Jordan Phillips.
SUBS NOT USED ~ Lenford Jenkins and Adam Jablowski.
CAUTIONS ~ Smith (5’ foul), Phillips (30’ foul)
DISMISSAL ~ Ryan (44’ foul)

EASTWOOD CFC ~ Mark Rathbone, David Boafo, Ross Parker,
David Leak, Callum McGarry, Blair Anderson (Jordan Turner 68’) Jack Andrews, Joe Harrison, Jermain Hollis, Kieran Knight(C) Sam Moore.
SUBS NOT USED ~ Jack Upton, Ben Wallis, Jack Anderson and Jermaine Palmer.
CAUTIONS ~ Anderson (58’ foul) Moore (72’ foul)