UCL RESULT ~ EASTWOOD CFC 0-4 ANSTEY NOMADS

Nomads wander into NG16 and leave with all 3 points.

Eastwood CFC………….0
Anstey Nomads……….4 (Bestwick 9’, Keaveny 46’ and 58’, Armeni 59’)

Anstey started like a house on fire and could have been 2 ahead within the first 5 or so minutes with strikers Joszef Keaveny and Henry Bestwick in the thick of the action. The latter should have scored within 40 seconds as he missed an open goal after being fed by Keaveny. Eastwood responded by going close with a Jack Andrews free kick which was cleared for a corner followed by Sam Moore netting to be denied by Mr Lees offside flag.

Keaveny was at it again as his header came back of the post following a right wing corner as the visitors laid siege to the home goal. The game was developing into a series of niggly challenges which interrupted play constantly. That didn’t stop Bestwick opening the scoring after 9 minutes after being cutely played in by Keaveny.

Eastwood decided to fight fire with fire and David Boafo tried his luck with a long range effort which just cleared the bar. Still the visitors powered forward, seemingly without a defensive care in the world, and 'skipper Andrews and his defenders were working flat out to stop the onslaught. Michael Reeve then went close midway through the half as his shot was cleared off the line by Callum Jones.

Home attacks were few and far between but Lavell White and Moore were trying hard to gain some kind of foothold in the game. Young Eastwood midfielder Luis Parkes had a fine effort cleared and White’s header was collected by Conrad Logan with ease before the defining moment in the game. 2 minutes before the break. Ben Hutchinson fouled Bestwick in the centre circle with a challenge which Mr Lloyd deemed to be dangerous play and the red card duly followed.

Just before the break the visitors had another chance to increase the lead. Corey Armeni going close as he rose highest to meet a Josh Waldram cross.

Barely a minute into the second period and the game was almost effectively sealed and it had nothing to do with the visitor’s numeric advantage. Full back Waldram stormed down the right and cut the ball back to the onrushing Keaveny who volleyed the ball swiftly past Rathbone at his near post.

Any foothold Eastwood had in the game disappeared 12 minutes later as the livewire Keaveny was allowed to run unopposed in the inside right channel towards the area to unleash his sides third goal. A minute later winger Armeni, not to be outdone by his fellow forward’s exploits, fired home to further add to Eastwood’s woes.

Some response by the home team towards the end as White forced Logan into a smart save low down on 84 but the game was well gone by then and the Nomads left with maximum points.

Quite where this leaves the Red Badgers after the third defeat on the spin is anyone’s guess. The midfield were completely outran, the strikers flattered to deceive and had it not been for the heroics of the Skipper, Jones and the ‘keeper the score could have been embarrassing.

Tough times lie ahead and harsh lessons need to be learned and quickly. Heads need clearing and a clear strategy inserted.

ATTENDANCE~ 97
REFEREE ~ Gary Lloyd.
ASSISTANTS ~ Nicky Lees and Sam Leckie.

EASTWOOD CFC ~ Mark Rathbone, David Boafo, Jack Andrews (C) Callum Jones, David Chapman (Lloyd Patterson 46’), Sam Moore, Luis Parkes (Finnlay Hunter 63') Jermain Hollis, McKenna Parton (Fabian Smith 46') Lavelle White, Ben Hutchinson. SUBS NOT USED ~ Jay Crumbie and Caden McGrath.
DISMISSAL ~ Hutchinson (43’ serious foul play)
CAUTIONS ~ Parton (6’ foul)

ANSTEY NOMADS ~ Conrad Logan, Josh Waldram, Rhys Dolan, Ben Bayliss, Jordan Annable, Jamie Chisholm, Henry Bestwick, Michael Reeve (C) Corey Armeni (Jack Samples 82’) Billy Blackshaw, Joszef Keaveny (Finlay James 63’) SUBS NOT USED ~ Cole Wildin and Ronnie Morley.