HEANOR TOWN 4-0 EASTWOOD CFC

Heanor Town......4 (Sleigh 31', 82', 90', Daly 40')
Eastwood CFC....0

Final game of the season ends in defeat...

Three changes were made following the draw against the Nomads less than 48 hours ago. Jack Messom, Cal Jones and Kyle Wrenn all start. Victor Lusuku and Connor Wrenn were re both missing through work commitments and Ben Henderson dropped to the bench for the first time since December.

McKenna Parton returns to the Squad but was only fit enough for the bench. Isaac Morledge is back from holiday and joined Robert Osbourne and Kyle Stovell in the dugout.

On a sunny Bank Holiday afternoon Heanor give the Red Badgers no chance of a successful end of season. As early as the 2nd minute the Lions threatened down the left Kyle Daley producing a accurate cross which just eluded top scorer Jamie Sleigh, For their part the visitors showed their attacking intent as Ayleal Dill just failed to make contact close to goal following a Joe Harrison corner.

Within 15 minutes the home side had some decent chances to go ahead especially when Daley went mightily close with a 20 yarder which just whizzed past the Eastwood goal.

The Red Badgers responded when Callum Jones, giving Reece Horne a torrid time down the right flank, let fly with a shot which almost caught out Rio Alberry in the Lions goal. Despite the obvious constant threat from Sleigh and his strike partner Kieran Debrouwer the Eastwood defence were holding out under extreme pressure particularly the long ball the Lions used at every opportunity.

Almost on the half hour the athletic Louis Anthony defied gravity as he cleared a Sleigh shot of the line with warren Squires beaten. After Dill had gone close again on 30 Horne tried his luck with a free kick that whistled over Squires bar.

The inevitable home goal came on 31. Sleigh latched onto a long ball out of defence from Alex Britton, raced through and planted the ball beyond Squires into the far corner. After an even next 10 minutes the second arrived. Long throw expert Jack Dando launched a missile of a throw into the Eastwood box. Aerial head tennis ensued for a few seconds before Daley finished off the move for 2-0 to the home side.

Both ‘keepers were called into action within minutes of the restart. Alberry foiled Kamani Wilson and squires tipped over a Debrouwer effort. The Heanor pace dropped markedly and Eastwood tried to compete more. Kyle Stovell was introduced and his fine close control and eager running were causing a few jitters in the Lions defence. Midway through the half Ben Henderson, on as a second half substitute, forced Alberry into a save low down.

Eastwood were playing some decent stuff at time but, as in recent weeks, lacked any cutting edge up top. Sleigh should have secured the points after 70 but fired a decent shot over when it looked easier to score. With 8 minutes to go he made amends after latching onto a Jordan Haywood pass and slid the ball past Squires. Game over now and Eastwood were licking their wounds as the season ran down.

The icing on Heanor’s cake came a minute from normal time. Haywood sped through into the box and was dumped to the floor by McKenna Parton. Mr Booth rightly gave the spot kick which Sleigh converted to claim the match ball. 4-0 the final score and a damp squib end the current campaign.

For the Red Badgers the effort didn’t drop and the desire was evident but lack of quality and decision making was their let down. Time to regroup, take stock and reflect on what was a ‘topsy-turvey’ season. Some highs and some lows. All in all an average campaign.

Attendance ~ 215
Referee ~ William Booth.
Assistants ~ Steve Davies and Paul Dixon.

Heanor Town ~ Rio Alberry, Alex Britton, Reece Horne, Max Thornberry, Jack Dando, Jake Carlisle, Tom Hilton (Rafe Poplar 69') Josh Craddock, Jamie Sleigh (C) Kieran Debrouwer (Sam Vickers 86') Kyle Daley (Jordan Haywood 69')
Substitute not used ~ Joe Nice

Eastwood CFC~ Warren Squires, Harrison Eastwood, Kyle Wrenn, Jacob Sturgess (C) Louis Anthony, Ellis Chambers (Kyle Stovell 65') Jack Messom (McKenna Parton 51') Joe Harrison, Callum Jones, Kamani Wilson, Ayleal Dill (Ben Henderson 45')
Substitutes not used ~ Rob Osborne and Isaac Morledge.
Caution~ Wrenn (50' foul)

https://www.eastwoodcfc.co.uk/teams/140091/match-centre/0-5075857