FA VASE ~ TEVERSAL 0-2 EASTWOOD CFC

Teversal...............0
Eastwood CFC... 2 (Nangle 49', Hunter 90')

Eastwood see off the Tevvie Boys

Both teams started brightly at The Tomlin Personnel Park as the game ebbed and flowed. Home forward Jak Lightly, an Eastwood lad, was proving problems with his forays down the left flank linking up with Jack McWilliams who tested Mark Rathbone early doors. At the other end Romello Nangle kept the home defence on their toes with his smart play linking up well with Liam Hearn on a number of occasions.

Midway through the half home keeper Leon Turton was almost caught out as a Callum Jones shot was eventually cleared off the line and out of danger by McWilliams and another clever cross by Jones was headed just wide by David Leak. The visitors were beginning to impose themselves but a spate of successive corners produced nothing more than half chances. Overlapping Eastwood full back Jahren Barrow tested Turton before Leak had a goal disallowed for an alleged foul in the build up.

Bearing in mind the amount of decent half chances in the game the teams surprisingly went in for their half time cuppa level at 0-0.

The opening 15 minutes of the second period produced the best football by the away team as they laid siege to Turton's goal and it was only a matter of time before their attacking efforts bought their just rewards. Skipper Jack Andrews sprayed out a beauty of a pass to the left flank which Hearn controlled in a heartbeat and whipped in a cross which was eagerly snapped up by Nangle to volley home.

The home goal now was under constant siege and only desperate defending by Atkins, Brad Hall and the underside of the bar kept the score down. Tevvies counter attacks were few and far between but in one swift move Lightly hit the post with Rathbone beaten. Still Eastwood powered forward and Blair Anderson and McKenna Parton went mightily close as the Red Badgers looked to close the game down. Mr Turton was indeed the busiest player on the pitch as Eastwood threatened to run riot.

The home team were just about hanging on although, in one rare forward moment, Charlie Smith forced a fine save from Rathbone. Eastwood substitute Moussa Cisse, on his debut, also went close to adding to the scoreline but it was left until the dying embers of the game that the win was secured.

Finnlay Hunter was only on the pitch for seconds before he raced onto a through ball from Parton. The ball bounced awkwardly for Callum Milner and seeing the ball come over his shoulder, Hunter controlled the ball in a flash and shot home. 5 seconds, 2 touches and 1 goal. Some introduction !

This victory was the first in the FA Vase since Dave Marlow's team beat Ilkeston 2-1 in December 2018.

A fine term effort by the whole squad and in all honesty no-one could have been surprised at a bigger margin as they eased into the next round. An interesting awaits contest in the next round as Eastwood make the short journey to the Manor Ground to play Heanor Town.

Attendance ~ 81
Referee ~ Kier Sheppard
Assistants ~ David Baxter and Tim Lewis.

Teversal ~ Leon Turton, Jake Allen (Ryan Hancock 64') Jake McWilliams (Tom Widdowson 60') Brad Hall, Gary Atkins (C) Joe Fox, Callum Milner, Luke Beastall, Cam Pinnick, Jak Lightly, Charlie Smith.
Unused substitutes~ Danny Mountcastle, George Simpson, Joe Geeson and Elliot Couldwell.
Caution ~ Milner (72' foul)

Eastwood CFC ~ Mark Rathbone, Jahren Barrow, Jack Andrews (C) David Leak, Callum Jones (Moussa Cisse 52') Blair Anderson (Finnlay Hunter 90') Rashaan Francis, McKenna Parton, Sean Woolley, Liam Hearn (Kieran Knight 67') Romello Nangle.
Unused substitutes~ Lewis Scott (GK) Caden McGrath, David Boafo and Jermain Hollis.
Caution ~ Parton (5' foul)

Next up is a league match away to Gresley Rovers on Tuesday 14th September with a 19:45 KO. We go there as we attempt to complete 3 wins in 3 for the first time since last October.