EASTWOOD CFC 0-1 BOSTON TOWN

Eastwood CFC.........0
Boston Town............1 (Sylla 58')

Eastwood hard done by as the Poachers pounce....

Three changes from last Saturday’s FA Vase exit game, Shannon-Lewis & Skipper Freeman returned, Rashaan Francis also started. Leak dropped to the bench and White & Evans weren't included. Gibson joined the bench alongside youngsters Messom, Hunter & Scott.

The home team were immediately on the front foot moving forward with pace and commitment against opponents just above the Red Badgers with a fine record so far resulting in just a lone defeat all campaign. After Abou Sylla tested the home goal with a teasing cross within the first minute Eastwood counter attacked with abandon and McKenna Parton was first to test Ross Woolley in the visitors goal after being played in by Jahren Barrow but his shot was high and just wide.

Romeelo Nangle was next to test Boston custodian Woolley but the 'keeper made a fine save. He repeated the feat minutes later as he held onto another sharp Nangle effort. Inside the first 15 the home side had a succession of corners which Richard Ford an his central defensive unit just about dealt with. On 20 minutes Woolley again denied Nangle as Eastwood piled forward. Kole Lambert was next to get in the act after being found by Parton. Another chance for the home team as the visiting defence was leading a charmed life with Mark Rathbone a virtual spectator.

Dean Freeman and Barrow were certainly keeping the league's leading scorer Harry Limb quiet and Boston rarely troubled in the last third. Much travelled diminutive winger Sylla was a different proposition though with his directness and pace causing concern down the right flank.

Eastwood suffered a blow after Tyrrell Shannon-Lewis was forced off through injury after 38 to be replaced by Finn Hunter. The momentum didn't suffer however and Barrow was allowed a free run into the heat of the Poachers defence and fired just wide. Quite how the game was goalless at the break was anyone's guess. The home side could and should have been out of sight on chances.

Much the same at the start of the second period. Lambert this time testing Woolley who was certainly keeping his team in the contest. On a rare attack visiting full back Ryley Thompson was denied by Rathbone with a sharp effort and at the other end Woolley was called into action again as Hunter seized on a cross shot but the 'keeper denied the young substitute at the near post.

With 58 on the clock came the sucker punch. Sylla weaved his way into the box down the right and was denied further progress by a super tackle from Barrow, Half hearted appeals for a penalty for the Poachers players were denied by Mr Cannon who indicated a corner. Quite right too.

Substitute Lee Beeson swung over the ball and Sylla glanced a stooping header past Rathbone. The inquest will go on as to why the smallest player on the pitch was allowed a free header in a dangerous area.

Minutes later Woolley was at his acrobatic best again as he turned a Lambert shot round the post for a corner. Still Eastwood battled bravely for the leveller and the home corner count rose to double figures. Boston responded well and Luke White and Limb had decent efforts save by Rathbone before Nangle again went close after a David Leak headed knock down only to be denied by a last ditch tackle from Ford.

Boston saw out the game and returned to Lincolnshire with all three points, some would say rather luckily. The proverbial game of two halves summed up this game. The Red Badgers had enough of the play and chances in the first 45 to win 2 games. The Poachers were happy to bide their time and their efforts in the second period eventually paid off.

Attendance ~ 81
Referee ~ Joseph Cannon
Assistants ~ Stephen Sears and Lee Harrison

Eastwood CFC ~ Mark Rathbone, Ryan Ebanks, Jahren Barrow, Dean Freeman (C) Callum Jones, McKenna Parton, Charlie Marzano, Romello Nangle, Tyrrell Shannon-Lewis (Finn Hunter 39') Kole Lambert (David Leak 85')
Substitutes not used ~ Lewis Scott, Ewan Gibson and Jack Messom.
Cautions ~ Francis (83'foul)

Boston Town ~ Ross Woolley, Jordan Tate, Ryley Thompson, Richard Ford (C) Tom Mucklin, Kuwsi Ofushine, Abou Sylla, Bailey Dilley, Joe Smith Lee Beeson 38') Harry Limb, Fraser Bayliss (Luke White 64')
Substitutes not used subs ~, Lori Borbely and Toby White.