With League Cup and FA Vase disruptions we’ll now play out our league fixtures with Heanor Town over back to back Saturday’s with the first fixture set to take place at Coronation Park this weekend. After the disappointing defeat to in form Ashby Ivanhoe two weeks ago the Red Badgers have bounced back in fine style winning all three games, progressing into the Second Round Proper of the FA Vase keeping two clean sheets. The shut out on Tuesday evening was our tenth of the season a statistic not to be sniffed at, with eight of those coming from the fifteen league games so far. In the league the Red Badger defensive record is only bettered by Heanor who have conceded one less goal but in three fewer games.

After a strong start to the season multiple fixtures in the League Cup, FA Cup and FA Vase have slightly hindered Heanor’s progression in the league where is recent weeks they have suffered shock defeats at home to Wisbech Town and Deeping Rangers. They have bounced back last week with a very impressive 3-0 win against Newark Town followed by strong 4-1 win against Hucknall Town last night.

Player Watch: Last season’s top scorer Sacha Markelic returned to the the Lions last month after a short stint at Ilkeston Town, the forward has hit the ground running scoring seven goals in eleven appearances and is well on his way to beating last season’s total of twenty-seven goals. Former Kimberley skipper Sam Brown made the switch in the summer to Heanor where the central defender has helped tighten up the defence featuring in all but one of Town’s nineteen games this season earning six clean sheets.

Previous Meetings: There is nothing between Eastwood and Heanor with each side having five wins a piece from the ten matches they have faced each other. Each team winning their respective home fixtures last season, goals from Tyreece Robinson and Aaron O’Connor secured a 2-1 win at Coronation Park whilst a Jamie Sleigh double helped Town to a 3-1 win at The Town Ground. The fixtures averages 3.5 goals a game so despite both teams superb defensive records this season goals are almost a certainty this weekend.

Squad Update: Ball and Thomas have some real selection dilemmas ahead of Saturday’s league game. Lavell White is expected to miss at least the next month of action, whilst Jake Wright is a doubt after limping off in Tuesday’s win over AFC Mansfield. Youngsters Toby Woodward and Finnley Commons are both available for selection, along with Oliver Robinson who returned on Tuesday night. Aaron O’Connor could make a return to the squad after suffering with injury and illness. Tyler Blake will be hoping to get himself on the scoresheet to extend his goal scoring run to four consecutive games, the feat would be the first time an Eastwood player has achieved such goal since Blake did it last December.

Saturday 26th October 2024
United Counties Football League Premier North
Eastwood CFC vs Heanor Town
3pm Kick Off
Coronation Park, Chewton Street, Eastwood, NG16 3HB

#RedBadgers