A tough test it was.

Derbyshire side Long Eaton United who are now managed by former Loughborough Dynamo gaffer and ex Eastwood Town player Bradley Munn visited Coronation Park off the back of getting relegated from step 3 at the end of last season.

The Blue’s lined up strong and took a deserved lead with only five minutes on the clock, a slip from Oliver Robinson allowed the LE wide man the
room he needed to pick out team mate Evan Garnett who tapped the ball home from close range.

Six minutes later and the hosts were further behind White was dispossessed and with Sam Wilson out his goal, Garnett lifted the ball into the open goal from a good 35 yards out.

Three changes at the break for Eastwood didn’t seem to help as Long Eaton quickly doubled their lead ten minutes into the second half, first Liam Loughlan cut in from the right before finishing one-on-one with Wilson. Loughlan then turned provider his dangerous free kick was met with a towering header that left Sam Wilson no chance and the former Blue had to pick the ball out of the net for the fourth time that afternoon.

Further changes were made from both sides and the Red Badgers did get a goal back, Robert Norris picking up the ball just inside the visitors half before driving forward and trying his luck and thankful saw his effort fly in off the post for the goal of the game and to give the small Eastwood faithful something to cheer.

Eastwood CFC Team:

1. Sam Wilson
2. Lavell White (Trialist B)
3. Lynden Joyce (Ferdinand Bartley 46)
4. Declan Dunn (Toby Woodward 62)
5. Oliver Robinson
6. Jake Wright (Finnley Commons 62)
7. Robert Norris
8. Jermain Hollis (Trialist A)
9. Alex Troke (Donte Fuller 62)
10. Aaron O’Connor (c) (Kamani Wilson 46)
11. Ryan Tait (Louis Czerwak 46)

Man of The Match: Robert Norris