SHERWOOD COLLIERY 6- 2 EASTWOOD CFC

Sherwood Colliery……6 (Curtis 7', 26', 71', York 47', Norcross 66', Brad Wells 77')
Eastwood CFC………...2 (Knight 20' pen and 88' pen)

Eastwood travelled to Mansfield Woodhouse to take on a Colliery side unbeaten in the League and boasting a 100% record. The Red Badgers were somewhat depleted with several first team players missing. Jermaine Palmer came in for his first start of the campaign as did Lavelle White. Fabian Smith made his first appearance since March and McKenna Parton took his place on the bench alongside recent signing Tom Slade.

This has always been a competitive fixture and that proved to be the case. The visitors took the game to Sherwood from the off and had the better of the opening exchanges. Newly appointed 'skipper Kieran Knight combined well with fellow striker Jordan Turner in creating a couple of half chances and Palmer tested Josh Turton in the home goal with a neat header. Palmer again was involved and his goal bound effort came back off a post. Somewhat against the run of play the homesters took the lead. A fine exchange of passes down the left found Gareth Curtis in space to slot home under Mark Rathbone for the lead. At the other end Knight was again unlucky as two decent efforts beat Turton but were agonisingly just wide.

20 minutes in and the scores were level. White played a neat through ball to Turner who was bundled over by Jobe Shaw inches inside the box. Knight made no mistake from the spot to even up the game.

The home side restored their advantage on 27 a left wing corner wasn't dealt with and that man Curtis again stooped to glance a header past Rathbone for the go-ahead goal. Eastwood continued to counter attack and Knight almost equalised after rounding Turton but centre back Charlie Taylor was on hand to clear off the line. 2-1 at half time and Eastwood were still in the contest which was producing some fine football from both teams.

Two minutes into the second period and all the previous good work was undone. Livewire home forward Kieran Wells escaped a couple of half hearted defensive challenges down the left and skipped inside to deliver a pin point pass to Jamie York who gleefully tapped home. The home side smelt blood now and threw the kitchen sink at the Eastwood defence time and again who had Rathbone to thank for keeping the score down. He could do nothing however to stop Will Norcross scoring a fourth goal after 66 minutes, a mazy run down the left wing left a trail of Eastwood defenders in his wake and he drilled home from a narrow angle.

Curtis then completed his hat-trick after seeing an effort cleared off the line he made no mistake in his follow up in the 71st minute to extend the lead yet further. Brad Wells came off the bench and was almost immediately played in by fellow Sub Liam Hearn and he finished off the move, lifting the ball over Rathbone in the 77th minute to give Sherwood a 6-1 lead. Eastwood continued to battle to no avail until the 88th minute from the penalty spot after a clumsy foul on Parton, Knight converting his second penalty.

A bad day at the office for the Red Badgers who were barely in the contest in the second half. The Squad need to clear their heads and prepare for the Boxing Day game. The endeavour appears to be there and I'm sure the spirit is as well. Onwards and upwards is the cry as we move on.

ATTENDANCE ~ 145
REFEREE ~ Karl Donaghey
ASSISTANTS ~ Lee Harrison and Brett Hovey

SHERWOOD COLLIERY ~ Josh Turton, Will Norcross (Ricky Starbuck 78'), Tim Gregory (Brad Wells 66'), Jobe Shaw (C) Charlie Taylor, Ewan Robson, Jamie York, Kieran Wells, Gareth Curtis (Liam Hearn 74') Lewis Belgrave, Ethan Wiesztort.
SUBS NOT USED ~ Nathan Clarke and Liam Theakstone.

EASTWOOD CFC ~ Mark Rathbone, David Boafo (Ben Wallis 84') Jermaine Palmer, Jack Andrews, Callum McGarry, Joe Harrison, Jermain Hollis, Fabian Smith (McKenna Parton 66') Jordan Turner,
Lavelle White (Tom Slade 58') Kieran Knight (C)
SUBS NOT USED ~ Carl Westcarr and Jack Anderson.
CAUTIONS ~ Palmer (30' foul) Parton (67' foul) Turner (82' foul)