Eastwood became the lowest ranked team in the draw for the third round of the FA Vase with a fine away win against step 5 opposition Leicester Nirvana.

Eastwood were at full strength apart from centre half Danny Hayes who broke down in the warm up with a rib injury. Backed by fantastic away support Eastwood started the game much the stronger and took the lead after 5 minutes. Paddy Webb broke clear but was fouled inside the area. Chay Betteridge stepped up and made no mistake with a well taken penalty into the top corner of the net. It was all Eastwood in the opening exchanges and it was no surprise they doubled their lead on 11 minutes. Chay Betteridge played a perfect pass inside the full back for Paddy Webb to run onto and the young striker made no mistake with a fine angled drive into the bottom corner grabbing his 20th goal of the season.

Eastwood looked dangerous every time they attacked. Greg Conn had a goal bound effort blocked inside the 6 yard box and Harry Allen volleyed effort went narrowly wide into the side netting.

After the opening minutes the home side started to get a foothold in the game but generally Eastwood's back four generally coped well. A couple of times Nirvana did get behind Eastwood's defense they found keeper Jack Walker in fine form with 2 outstanding blocking saves.

Half-Time 0-2

Inevitably at some point in the second half the home side were going to throw everything at Eastwood to try and get back into the game. This duly happened midway through the half for a 15 minute period the home side dominated possession but again with Eastwood’s back four of Thomas, Brooks, Short and Meakin were in no mood to concede their advantage. Nirvana didn't have all their own way as Eastwood still looked dangerous going forward with Harry Allen causing the home centre halves problems all afternoon. In front of the back four on a heavy pitch all the Eastwood's players worked tiresley. On 70 minutes Nirvana did have a chance to get back in the game when Aaron Short was adjudged to have committed a foul inside the area. Keeper Jack Walker produced a fine penalty save diving to his right hand side. 2 minutes later Walker again produced another fantastic save keeping out a goal bound effort diving to his right side.

Substitutes Rory Smith and Joe Butler combined well on 78 minutes but Butler's effort from distance was well saved by the home keeper. On 82 minutes the home side were reduced to 10 men when the young striker received his second yellow card for a late challenge on Greg Conn.

Eastwood were delighted to play out the final minutes of the game to cap a fine performance and a deserved victory. Fantastic performance from all the Eastwood players, Eastwood will now travel to Desborough Town in the next Round on Saturday 2nd December 2017.

Leicester Nirvana Team

Subs

Javjani, Gonga, Patrocinio, Phillips, Bahrey

Eastwood CFC Team

Walker, Brooks, Thomas (Rory Smith 64), Mitchell, Short ©, Meakin, Allen (Joe Butler 66), Conn, Webb, Jack Smith (Joe Butler 74), Bettridge

Unused Subs

Danny Hayes, Jack Millward

Goalscorers: Chay Bettridge (5 Penalty), Paddy Webb (11)

Man of Match: Jack Walker

Attendance: 218