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Tue 05 Aug 2025
Gresley Rovers
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Eastwood CFC
1st Team
Gresley Rovers 0 (2)-(4) 0 Eastwood CFC

Gresley Rovers 0 (2)-(4) 0 Eastwood CFC

Zander Shayler6 Aug - 12:41

Eastwood CFC are through to the next stage of the Emirates FA Cup after a hard-fought penalty shootout win over Gresley Rovers in the Extra Preliminary Round at the Moat Ground.

The tie ended 0-0 after 120 minutes of action, but Eastwood held their nerve to triumph 4-2 on penalties, with goalkeeper Sam Wilson earning Man of the Match honours for his pivotal role in the shootout.

Early Flashpoint:
The game was turned on its head just five minutes in when Gresley’s Nathan Banton was shown a straight red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. After the referee played advantage following a foul on Tyler Blake, Aaron O’Connor was brought down just outside the area. Banton’s challenge left the official no option but to dismiss him, giving Eastwood a man advantage for almost the entire match.

Chances Come and Go:
Despite their numerical superiority, Eastwood struggled to break down a compact and resolute Gresley defence. One of the best chances of the second half came in the 73rd minute, when Blake met a cross from Saad with a firm header, only for Gresley keeper Catlow to pull off a brilliant save to keep the score level.

Gresley almost won it at the death. In the 90th minute, Jude Ayetine drove forward from deep and squared for Samuel Moore, whose shot was dramatically cleared off the line by Wright. From the resulting corner, Gresley rattled the crossbar with a powerful header—so close, yet still 0-0.

Extra Time:
The additional 30 minutes saw Eastwood continue to press, but without carving out clear-cut opportunities. Gresley, down to ten men, defended with discipline and looked to take the tie to penalties—and succeeded.

Penalty Shootout Drama:
Eastwood were perfect from the spot, converting all four of their penalties through Aaron O’Connor, Sam Wilson, Declan Dunn, and Terry Hawkridge. For Gresley, Samuel Moore and Ryan King failed to convert, giving Eastwood a deserved 4-2 shootout victory.

Penalty Order:
Samuel Moore (Gresley) ❌ – Missed
Aaron O’Connor (Eastwood) ✅
Jude Ayetine (Gresley) ✅
Sam Wilson (Eastwood) ✅
Liam Kavanagh (Gresley) ✅
Declan Dunn (Eastwood) ✅
Ryan King (Gresley) ❌ – Missed
Terry Hawkridge (Eastwood) ✅

Gresley Rovers Lineup
1 Bradley Catlow
2 Harrison Smith
3 Nathan Banton
4 Albert Lansdowne
5 Ash Garner (c)
6 Liam Kavanagh
7 Louie Jarvis
8 Jenson Cooper (Ayetine 46)
9 Ryan King
10 Dylan Hunniford (Lowery 63)
11 Samuel Moore

Subs
12 William Mansfield
13 Thomas Wilcock
14 Kyle Clamp
15 Abayomi Lowery
16 Jude Ayetine
21 Callum Whetton

Eastwood CFC Lineup
1. Sam Wilson
2. Elijah Morris-Wright (Commons 46)
3. Tyler Johal
4. Declan Dunn
5. Phil Watt (Robinson 91)
6. Jake Wright
7. Terry Hawkridge
8. Daniel Elliott (Tait 46)
9. Tyler Blake
10. Aaron O’Connor (c)
11. Abdul Saad (Ridgley 77)

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

Attendance: 382

Man of the Match: Sam Wilson
Commanding throughout the match and cool under pressure in the shootout, Wilson’s performance between the sticks was crucial to Eastwood’s progression.

Next Stop: The Preliminary Round.
Eastwood march on in the FA Cup with confidence and belief after a night of determination, discipline, and drama. We now face fellow step 5 competitors Coton Green in the next round with the tie set to take place on Saturday 16th August.

Match details

Match date

Tue 05 Aug 2025

Kickoff

19:45

Attendance

382
Further reading

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