A dramatic stoppage-time equaliser from captain O’Connor rescued Eastwood CFC from FA Cup elimination, as they battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw with Gresley Rovers in the Extra Preliminary Round at Coronation Park.

Joint boss Daryll Thomas was without his partner in crime Martin Ball (holiday), striker Tyler Blake (holiday) and Vice Captain Jake Wright (suspended) for our opening fixture in this season’s FA Cup. The absentees forced Thomas into three changes handing a full debut to Harvey Ridgley and giving first starts of the season to Ryan Tait and Kameron Campbell. Finnley Commons, Elijah Morris-Wright and Lavell White were all included for the first time this season as the gaffer named seven substitutes.

The match opened with early frustration for the home side. Just 13 minutes in, Eastwood were punished for a loose pass in midfield as Gresley's Jude Ayetine found himself clean through on goal. The midfielder kept his composure to lift the ball past Sam Tyler and give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Despite the early setback, Eastwood quickly settled into their rhythm and began to dominate possession. A flowing move in the 34th minute nearly brought the equaliser, with a sharp one-two between Dunn and Campbell releasing Hollis, but the final touch just evaded the midfielder at the critical moment.

HT Eastwood CFC 0-1 Gresley Rovers

The breakthrough eventually came shortly after half-time. Terry Hawkridge, influential throughout the contest, picked out O’Connor with a perfectly timed pass. The forward managed to stay just onside before his deflected strike looped over the helpless Gresley goalkeeper to draw Eastwood level at 1-1.

Eastwood came out firing in the second half and looked the more likely side to go ahead. Substitute Commons made an instant impact, twice going close from close range in the 67th minute, only to be denied by the visiting keeper. At the other end, Gresley still posed a threat and nearly retook the lead through Sam Moore, whose effort brought a smart save from Tyler with 77 minutes gone.

The game looked to be slipping away for Eastwood when Gresley struck late on. A long throw from Lansdowne in the 84th minute caused chaos in the box, and Liam Kavanagh was on hand to bundle the ball home, putting the visitors 2-1 up.

With time ticking away, Eastwood threw everything forward. Commons had a golden chance in stoppage time, forcing a corner in the 93rd minute. From the resulting set piece, Hawkridge’s pinpoint delivery found Watt, whose header was brilliantly saved—only for the skipper to react quickest and hammer home the rebound, sparking wild celebrations as Eastwood levelled at the death.

Man of the Match: Terry Hawkridge – A creative spark throughout, the experienced midfielder not only set up both goals but dictated the tempo and led by example in Eastwood’s relentless push for a result.

Next up: Eastwood will now face Gresley Rovers again in a replay, with a place in the Preliminary Round of the Emirates FA Cup up for grabs.

Eastwood CFC Lineup
13. Sam Tyler
2. Harvey Ridgley (Flynn 60)
3. Abdul Saad (White 60)
4. Declan Dunn
5. Phil Watty
6. William Robinson (Morris-Wright 60)
7. Terry Hawkridge
8. Jermain Hollis
9. Kameron Campbell (Commons 66)
10. Aaron O’Connor (c) (54,90+4)
11. Ryan Tait (Johal 63)

Subs
12. Alfie Flynn
14. Noh Abraha
15. Lavell White
16. Tyler Johal
17. Daniel Elliott
18. Finnley Commons
19. Noh Abraha

Gresley Rovers Lineup
1 Bradley Catlow
2 Harrison Smith
17 Dylan Hunniford (Lansdowne 77)
4 Liam Storer
5 Ash Garner (c)
6 Benjamin Bradshaw
7 Louie Jarvis (Kavanagh 63)
8 Jude Ayetine (13) (Cooper 60)
9 Ryan King (Moore 60)
10 Finlay Barker (Mansfield 60)
11 Nathan Banton

Subs
12 William Mansfield
13 Thomas Wilcock
14 Albert Lansdowne
15 Samuel Moore
16 Liam Kavanagh (84)
3 Chris Ascott
21 Jenson Cooper

Man Of The Match: Terry Hawkridge

Attendance: 119