Eastwood CFC 0 v West Bridgford 2

Eastwood suffered their third straight loss in all competitions against West Bridgford who completed a league double over Eastwood. Eastwood was without the injured Sam Meakin, Aaron Short and Rueben Mitchell. Rory Smith and John Whitehurst were recalled to the starting eleven with Greg Conn moving to cover the left back slot.

Eastwood actually started the game brightly as they looked to put their previous disappointing F.A Vase defeat behind them.

On 12 minutes Eastwood created the first half chance of the game when Kieran Knight worked himself space on the edge of the area but unfortunately dragged his effort wide of the target. Bridgford responded immediately when Wray forced home keeper Jake Pearson into the action. Both teams looked to get forward at every opportunity but neither side created too many clear cut chances. At the end of the half, Eastwood did strike the base of the post following a fine move down the left side and from the resulting cross from Paddy Webb Joe Butler was unfortunate with his volley from close range.

Half-Time 0.0

In the opening minutes of the second half, Eastwood suffered another injury set back losing midfield player Jack James who was replaced by Aaron Ryan. On 55 minutes Joe Butler side-foot effort from the edge of the area was well saved by the keeper.

Bridgford opened the scoring on 59 minutes when Eastwood gave away possession in midfield and the visitors broke away releasing Whitehurst who punished the home side with a fine angled finish. Six minutes later again the visitors punished Eastwood catching them short defensively from a quick breakaway and again it was Whitehurst who was hand to finish inside the area off a well-worked move.

Eastwood tried in vain to get themselves back into the game but although they forced the keeper into a couple of decent saves much to often their attacking play became predictable which the visitors coped with comfortably.

Bridgford always carried a threat going forward with Wray and Whitehurst causing Eastwood problems and the visitors looked the more likely to add more goals in the game striking the upright twice in the half.

Full-Time 0.2