After a successful afternoon against Melton Town in the League Cup we are back in league action this Saturday keen to add some much needed points to our tally.

United are one of only four teams that have picked up fewer points than the Red Badgers this season, their total of six points have been collected from two wins from seven matches to start the campaign. One of those wins was at Coronation Park, despite playing with a man less for nearly an hour, strikes from John McHugh and Daniel Odunaiya earned a 2-1 victory over Gresley Rovers. Their most recent outing saw them knocked out of the League Cup by 19th placed South Division side Bugbrooke St Michaels, who coincidentally Eastwood now play in the next round.

Previous meetings: Saturday’s match up will be the 18th between the two sides, with Belper United holding a big advantage on the head to head record, having won nine of the previous seventeen. Those previous encounters date back to our debut season in 2014/15 in the Central Midlands League where the Red Badgers were unsuccessful on all four league matches against United. That poor record continued into EMCFL where on our tenth attempt we finally got the better of Belper United in the league thanks to a 93rd minute winner from Carl Westcarr. Since that win Eastwood have taken five points from a possible twenty-one available leading us into Saturday’s match. So we are under no illusion it will be a very tough match, you only have to look at the final game of last season to know that, Belper who went into the final day having won just two of their last seven faced a Red Badgers side knowing that a win could clinch them the league title, and in a dominant display from United they ran out 3-0 victors. Top goal scorers in this fixture are Sam Vickers (5), Jordan Ball (4) & Tyler Blake (4).

Player Watch: Despite the start to the season, Belper do boast some talented stars, namely forward Daniel Odunaiya who has picked where he left off last season scoring five goals in eleven appearances and scored the opener on the final day win over Eastwood last season. The man who scored the other two goals on that forgettable day for ECFC is Keaton August who has returned to Belper United following a short spell at Belper Town.

Squad Update: The Red Badgers face no new injury concerns going into the match this weekend but are still without Will Robinson, Aaron O’Connor, Abdul Saad and Kameron Campbell. Phil Watt, Alfie Flynn and Declan Dunn are all expected to return to the squad. Sam Wilson is two games off a century of appearances while Jake Wright will earn his 50th cap on Saturday afternoon. New recruits Harry Goddard and Neo Saunders both made impressive debut’s and will be in contention for selection. Terry Hawkridge is set to make his 36th consecutive start meanwhile August’s player of the month Tyler Blake will be looking to improve his recent goal scoring record at Coronation Park that has seen him net just two in his last ten games on home soil.

Saturday 13th September 2025
United Counties Football League Premier North
Belper United vs Eastwood CFC
3pm Kick Off
Coronation Park, Chewton Street, Eastwood, NG16 3HB
Adults £7 | Concessions £5

*Please remember all Eastwood CFC season tickets are not valid for this match*

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