Interim manager Billy Bennett made four changes from the side that lost against Leicester Nirvana on Saturday. Rashaan Frances made his first start for the club in almost five years, Curtis Thompson and Jamie Walker debuted and Luke Rawson made his first start for the club. Dropping out the starting eleven is Jacob Pearce (injured), Harry Wood (work), Revarnelle James and Tony Gbopo move to the bench. Also joining the squad is Paddy Webb for the first in a competitive fixture since December 2019 and Thomas Marshall who has missed the last few through injury.

With the visitors first attack they took the lead with just five minutes on the clock, Jamie Walker looked to be fouled in front of the home dugout but the referee waived away any appeals, Mansfield broke and moved the ball from right to left leading to Liam Mays to tee up Kian Sketchely from decent who picked out the bottom corner 0-1.

The Red Badgers got a foothold in the game and began to threaten the Mansfield goal, most of the attacks coming from L’Varn Brandy but no one could add the final touch. With 25 minutes on the clock Mansfield thought they had doubled their lead, Sketchely played a great pass between the two Eastwood central defenders and for Red Badger Kaylum Mitchell raced on to the ball but could only poke wide.

Eastwood created their best chance of the half when Dimaio fed Tyler Blake who crossed for Luke Rawson who connected well with the ball but could only fire straight at the goalkeeper. AFC didn’t have to wait long to get their second, Mitchell playing the ball forward to Sketchely who avoid the offside trap and raced towards goal before firing past Loach 0-2.

Tyler Blake was once again the man most likely to get Eastwood back into it, he beat his man but Sheppard was equal to the shot.

HT: Eastwood 0-2 AFC Mansfield

Stern words said at half time as Bennett & Marshall demanded a reaction. But it was the visitors that started the better, forcing a good save from Scott Loach at close range. Jamie Walker then forced a strong save from Sheppard from a free kick in prime Walker range.

Eastwood got their goal in the 58th minute, a long throw by Nicholson wasn’t dealt with and after four blocks on the line Jamie Walker managed to squeeze the ball into the goal 1-2.

Shortly after Eastwood got their equaliser, Webb’s cross was half cleared, Walker won it back and held it up well before being dispossessed, Flanagan picked up the loose pass played a tight 1-2 with Blake before picking out the bottom corner 2-2.

It looked like only one team would go on to win it but with ten minutes left disaster struck. Charlie Taylor beat Jamie Walker in the air the ball fell kindly for Sketchley who drove forward before being fouled but still managed to squeeze the ball through to Kaylum Mitchell to put the visitors back ahead 2-3.

Six minutes later the game was level again, Louis Nicholson delivered a deep cross from the right the ball fell to Rev James who Miss-kicked his cross but it fell kindly to Tyler Blake who slid in at the back post to make it 3-3.

There was still enough time for substitute James to charge forward but his cross went straight to the goalkeeper.

FT: Eastwood 3-3 AFC Mansfield

Eastwood lineup:

1. Scott Loach
2. Theo Sackey-Mensah (Gbopo 89)
3. Louis Nicholson
4. Rashaan Frances
5. Bradley Gascoigne (c)
6. Connor Dimaio
7. L’Varn Brandy (Brandy 54)
8. Curtis Thompson (Flanagan 64)
9. Tyler Blake (88)
10. Luke Rawson (James 81)
11. Jamie Walker (58)

Subs
12. Patrick Webb
14. Thomas Marshall
15. Theo Flanagan (70)
16. Revarnelle James
17. Tony Gbopo

AFC Mansfield Lineup:

1. Dale Sheppard
2. Jacob Dainty
3. Rhys Dolan (Shelbourne 4)
4. Liam Mays (Batty 64)
5. Charlie Taylor (c)
6. Ethan Blackbourn
7. Zack Reynolds (M Taylor 64)
8. Luke Morgan
9. Kaylum Mitchell (83)
10. Kian Sketchley (5, 35) (Fox 81)
11. Ryan Ingram

Subs
14. Max Taylor
15. Jake Batty
16. Dan Shelbourne
17. Charlie Fox
18. Jack Clarke

Attendance: 218

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