New Managers Billy Bennett and Kieren Fenton name five changes from the side that drew on Tuesday night. Patrick Webb makes his first start since December 2019, Kieren Fenton debuts, Tom Marshall returns and Revarnelle James also starts, Samuel O’Rioye makes his step five debut in place of Scott Loach. L’Varn Brandy, Luke Rawson and Bradley Gascoigne move to the bench, Rashaan Frances was not included.

The early warning signs were there for Blackstones as Peverill did well to claw the ball away from under his own bar from a dangerous Dimaio delivery. Marshall then fired over from the loose ball. A few minutes later Nicholson’ deep cross landed on the head of Walker who forced Peverill to tip the ball around the post for a corner.

After a good start Eastwood broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, Dimaio and Thompson pressed and won the ball back, Thompson played a 1-2 with James before firing into Tyler Blake who returned the ball to the onrushing James who’s first time cross was attempted to be cleared but fell for Webb who turned and smashed the ball into the roof of the net for his first Eastwood goal in nearly seven years 0-1.

Eastwood rode some late pressure from the hosts and saw out their lead until the half time break.

HT Blackstones 0-1 Eastwood

The second half was much like the first, as six minutes in Eastwood doubled their lead, Sackey-Mensah slid in to disposses Harris on the half way line, Fenton picked up the loose ball and played a 60 yard ball to Walker who spun the defender before firing over the keeper on his weaker right foot 0-2.

In Blackstones first chance of the half, Nicholson looked to be fouled but the referee played on, as Coughlan ran through only to run into Marshall who cleared the ball and won himself a free kick. Minutes later Davies proceeded to force O’Rioye into his first save of the match as the Blackstones number 10 curled a low effort towards the corner but the debutant teenager was equal to it.

With twenty minutes left to play Eastwood added their third, good hold up play from Rawson who eventually crossed to Walker, Walker teed up Thompson who’s deflected shot went behind for a corner. From the corner, Walker delivered an inch perfect cross as he had done all afternoon, it evaded Webb at the front post but hit Thorpe and was turned into his own goal by Peasgood.

Out of nowhere, Walker smashed a free kick into the ball and the hosts cleared the ball downfield, Marshall missed the flight of the ball and it ran through to Coughlan who finished well from a tight angle. The Red Badgers responded immediately, Rawson charged passed Thorpe and picked out Webb who netted his second an Eastwood’s fourth.

There was just enough time for Webb to lay off Walker this volley just went over the bar. Harry Wood also had a chance late on to extend the lead but it finished 1-4.

Blackstones Lineup;
1. Max Peverill
2. Logan Robinson
3. Ruari O’Boyle (Walker 46)
4. Harry Peasgood (c)
5. Eddie Thorpe
6. Edmunds Grunsteins
7. Finn Rawlings (Coughlan 58)
8. Cam Harris
9. Josh Sennett
10. Cal Davies (Dalton 72)
11. Andrew Irvine (Seggie 79)

Subs
12. Henry Moxley
14. Matty Walker
15. Fynn Seggie
16. Finley Dalton
17. Johan Coughlan

Eastwood Lineup;
1. Samuel O’Rioye
2. Theo Sackey-Mensah
3. Louis Nicholson
4. Kieren Fenton (Gascoigne 65)
5. Tom Marshall (c)
6. Connor Dimaio
7. Revarnelle James
8. Curtis Thompson (Wood 80)
9. Tyler Blake (Rawson 65)
10. Jamie Walker (51)
11. Patrick Webb (25,76) (Brandy 82)

Subs
12. Bradley Gascoigne
14. Harry Wood
15. L’Varn Brandy
16. Theo Flanagan
17. Luke Rawson

Man Of The Match: Patrick Webb