On a wet summer’s afternoon in Nottinghamshire, the home side netted twice in quick succession during the torrential second half rain to defeat Hinckley a week before the competitive season.

Danny Hayes (work) and Kyle Wrenn (injured) were both absence from the team that beat Awsworth so in came Harry Allen and Rory Smith.

Hinckley never really got going and Eastwood ‘keeper Jack Walker was rarely tested.

The home side shaded the first half, but likewise didn’t threaten the goalkeeper. They came closest when Jack James’ header hit the base of the post, while AFC’s best chance came when Toby Moore flicked Tom Maddison’s corner wide.

HT: ECFC 0-0 Hinckley AFC

John Whitehurst replaced the injured Connor Wrenn at half time and certainly made an impact.

Hinckley started the second half brightly but, Steve Chaplin’s close range header aside, created little to show for it and the home side quickly regained their foothold in the game.

After a few substitutions the front line of Kieran Knight, Joe Butler, Harry Allen and John Whitehurst were causing the Leicestershire sides defence all sorts of problems with rash challenges flying in left right and centre.

The Red Badgers took the lead with 20 minutes to play, when Harry Allen set up John Whitehurst to convert from close range.

Six minutes later, Chay Betteridge sent Jacob Wood the wrong way from the penalty spot to double their lead after Kieran Knight had been brought down by a late challenge from Chris Hollist, who was shown a straight red card.

FT: ECFC 2-0 Hinckley AFC

Match Photo's to follow........

Eastwood CFC Lineup;

1 Walker
14 R Smith
16 Brooks
4 Meakin
5 Wrenn
6 R Mitchell
12 James
8 Webb
9 H Allen
10 K Mitchell
11 Bettridge

Subs;
7 Butler
2 Thomas
15 Jones
3 Whitehurst
17 Knight

Man Of The Match: Jack James

The competitive season starts with a trip to Ingles next Saturday.

Next Up: ECFC vs Mansfield Town
Thursday 2nd August 2018
7:30pm kick off
PSUSA 3G Arena, Chewton Street, Eastwood, Nottingham NG16 3HB

By Zander Shayler