Ball & Thomas’ ended their four game loosing streak with a 2-1 victory over Heanor Town on Boxing Day. Town took a fourth minute lead as Eastwood were slow getting out the blocks, a Tyreece Robinson header levelled the scoring one minute before the break. Mid way through the second period Kyle Tomlin was tripped inside the area and skipper Aaron O’Connor stepped up to took the penalty kick away and score his eleventh of the season.

Despite not scoring in their opening three fixtures AFC have been in good form of late, wining two of their last three matches keeping two clean sheets. One of those wins came against Heanor Town two weeks ago as Mansfield picked up their third away win from a possible thirteen this season.

Player Watch: Joint top goal scorer McKenna Parton is a huge threat for AFC and a name that Red Badger supports will be familiar with however he will play no part in the New Years Eve Eve fixture after picking up a straight red card in the Boxing Day fixture with Sherwood Colliery. The man who has equally as many goals is Kaylum Mitchell, the former Eastwood attacker netted nine goals in eighteen appearances across two spells before departing for AFC last season. Mitchell has started 23 of his 24 appearances so far scoring eight times including the winner in AFC Mansfield’s last away victory.

Previous Meetings: Just the three previous meetings between Eastwood and tomorrow’s visitors, with all three fixtures ending 3-1. Eastwood have won the last two, the most recent of which Marcus Marshall gave us the lead before AFC equalised ten minutes later, a late Kyle Tomlin double secured all three points.

STAT ATTACK: Eastwood CFC have lost their last five Saturday fixtures in December. No other manager has picked up more points in the first half of the season at step 5 than Martin Ball & Daryll Thomas.

Squad Update: The injury list continues to grow, with Alex Troke a doubt for Saturday’s fixture after limping off on Tuesday. Lavell White, Terry Atem, Marcus Marshall, Ben Gowing, Oliver Robinson and Daniel Elliott are all out. Jack Messom has joined Clifton All Whites on an initial one month loan, Isaac Warner and Divine Lyamu remain on loan spells with FC Sez with the pair in action this evening at Coronation Park. Ryan Tait is available and will be hoping to make his first start since September 23rd, Kamani Wilson could also return. Tyler Blake will be looking to end his three game goal draught, the longest he has gone without scoring a goal since joining the club. The game will be Tyreece Robinson’s final one, as he has accepted a job offer in Dubai for 2024.

Saturday 30th December 2023
United Counties Football League Premier North
Eastwood CFC Vs AFC Mansfield
3pm Kick Off
Coronation Park, Eastwood, NG16 3HB
£7 Adults
£5 Concessions
Under 16’s FREE

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