In the battle of the ‘Wood’ it was Eastwood who came out on top for the first time since March 2023. The Red Badgers named two changes from the side that was unsuccessful on Saturday at the hands of Blackstones. Alfie Flynn made his full debut at right wing back, whilst Elijah Morris-Wright started at right centre half. Ryan Tait dropped to the bench and Harvey Ridgley dropped out the match day squad, Abdul Saad, Daniel Elliott, Kameron Campbell were all sidelined with injuries, Thomas Hodgkinson took Finnley Commons position on the bench.

Eastwood CFC staged a dramatic late comeback to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory over promotion favourites Sherwood Colliery at Coronation Park, bouncing back in style after their opening-day defeat.

Sherwood, relegated from the league above last season and heavily tipped to bounce straight back up, looked on course to take all three points after coming from behind to lead at the break. But two late Eastwood goals — including a stoppage-time winner from Tyler Blake — turned the game on its head and handed the Red Badgers their first win of the campaign.

First Half:
Eastwood struck first in the 21st minute through veteran forward Aaron O’Connor, after an excellent piece of wing play by Alfie Flynn, who was later named Man of the Match. Flynn broke down the right, reached the byline and cut the ball back for Blake, who drilled a low ball across the face of goal. O’Connor was on hand to tap home and give the hosts a deserved 1-0 lead.

Sherwood responded just six minutes later. A foul from Jake Wright on Jacob Pearce gifted the visitors a free kick just outside the box. Skipper Jamie York stepped up and curled a superb effort around the wall and past a wrong-footed Sam Wilson to level the scores.

The comeback was complete on 32 minutes, when Sherwood substitute Bircumshaw made an immediate impact. Picking up the ball in midfield, he surged forward before threading a pass through to Will Norcross, who calmly slotted home to put the visitors ahead going into half time.

Half-Time:Eastwood 1-2 Sherwood Colliery

Second Half:
The second half saw a more cautious approach from both sides, with clear-cut chances at a premium. But the game sprang to life in the dying moments.

With just two minutes of normal time left, Eastwood found their equaliser. Terry Hawkridge lofted a pinpoint cross to Declan Dunn who caused chaos with a deep delivery creating confusion between Jobe Shaw and the Sherwood goalkeeper allowing experienced centre-half Phil Watt to nod into an empty net — his third goal of the season — to level at 2-2.

But Eastwood weren’t done. In the second minute of stoppage time, Hodgkinson’s header found fellow substitute Abraha who flicked the ball on for Tyler Blake, who held off his marker and rifled an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans and sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory.

Full-Time: Eastwood CFC 3-2 Sherwood Colliery

Eastwood will take huge confidence from this result as they head into the FA Cup this Saturday, while Sherwood will be left to reflect on a game that slipped away in the final minutes.

Eastwood CFC Lineup
1. Sam Wilson
2. Alfie Flynn (Abraha 61)
3. Elijah Morris-Wright (White 71)
4. Declan Dunn
5. Phil Watt (88)
6. Jake Wright
7. Terry Hawkridge
8. Jermain Hollis (Tait 71)
9. Tyler Blake (90+2)
10. Aaron O’Connor (c) (21) (Hodgkinson 65)
11. Tyler Johal (Robinson 71)

Subs
12. William Robinson
14. Ryan Tait
15. Noh Abraha
16. Lavell White
17. Thomas Hodgkinson

Sherwood Colliery Lineup
1 Harrison Leech
2 Jacob Barrass
3 Oliver Lobley
4 Jobe Shaw
5 Carter Widdowson
6 Robson Doolan
7 Jamie York (c) (27)
8 Jacob Pearce
19 Kieran Knight
10 William Norcross (32)
11 Alexander Duhameau (Bircumshaw 27)

Subs
12 Eden Homer
14 Lewis Deavin
15 Lewis Warnaby
16 Harry Bircumshaw
17 Jacob Elliott

Attendance: 95

Man of the Match: Alfie Flynn (Eastwood CFC) The Eastwood defender was a constant threat down the right flank and set the tone early with his involvement in the opener. Solid defensively and composed on the ball.