The Red Badgers earned their first three points of the season on Tuesday night where they were made to work for the win. An early scare saw the hosts awarded a penalty only to see the spot kick saved by Sam Tyler, twenty minutes later Terry Hawkridge gave us the lead.

Despite loosing their last game of the season Rovers avoided relegation on goal difference but will be hoping for a much more competitive campaign this time around. With former Ashby Ivanhoe boss Andy Gray now at the helm, Gresley kicked off the campaign with a 5-1 defeat to promotion favourites Sherwood Colliery before an impressive 2-1 victory over Melton Town three days later. In the FA Cup last season Gresley picked up an impressive 4-2 win over Lichfield City in the Extra-Preliminary Round before Jamie Sleigh’s 96th minute strike took Sporting Khalsa to a replay where Rovers suffered a 2-0 defeat.

Previous meetings: In the last match up Eastwood secured their first ever victory against the moat men winning 3-2 at The Moat Ground, Tyler Blake, Aaron O’Connor and Oliver Robinson all on target in the first period before Phil Watt’s dismissal in the 55th minute made it hard work for the remaining half an hour. Before that it was a 1-1 draw at Coronation Park, after leading for over an hour, Jenson Cooper’s 81st minute strike levelled the scoring then seven minutes later Aaron O’Connor had a chance to win it from the penalty spot but the captain missed the target. The two meetings prior to that both ended 3-1 in favour of tomorrow’s visitors.

Player Watch: After naming him as a player to watch for Ashby Ivanhoe, Forward Jenson Cooper has returned to the club where he netted ten goals in thirteen starts last campaign. Impressively Cooper scored Gresey’s only goals in both fixtures against Eastwood last season and finished the season in great form scoring six in the final four games. Cooper is yet to get off the mark this season but his strike partner and former Red Badgers goal scorer Sam Moore has made a great start, scoring the consolation goal in the 5-1 defeat to Sherwood on the opening day before scoring both goals in the 2-1 win over Melton Town on Tuesday evening.

Squad Update: Jake Wright will miss the game through suspension whilst his partner in crime Phil Watt is a doubt after limping off on Tuesday night with a groin strain. New signing Elijah Morris-Wright could debut with Harvey Ridgley pushing for a start after impressing off the bench in the win over Ashby. Sam Tyler looks to make it three consecutive appearances after recording a man of the match performance and making a penalty save in his previous two outings. Marcus Marshall wont be involved but is pushing for a return. Ball & Thomas will name seven substitutes meaning Thomas Hodgkinson and Kameron Campbell could return to the squad.

Get behind the lads and show your support!

Saturday 2nd August 2025
FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round
Eastwood CFC vs Gresley Rovers
3pm Kick Off
Coronation Park, Chewton Street, Eastwood, NG16 3HB

#RedBadgers