Eastwood CFC and Belper United played out a thrilling 3–3 draw at Coronation Park in the latest instalment of the “Tenant vs Landlord” clash, with the Red Badgers leading three times but ultimately forced to share the spoils.

Martin Ball & Daryll Thomas welcomed back Declan Dunn, Phil Watt, Alfie Flynn and Thomas Hodgkinson to the squad as the gaffers made four changes from the League Cup win over Melton Town last Saturday. Flynn, Dunn and Watt all started along with new signing Jevin Seaton, meaning Elijah Morris-Wright and Lavell White dropped to the bench. There was no place in the matchday 16 for Harry Goddard, Harvey Ridgley, Finnley Commons, Marcus Marshall, Noh Abraha or Ryan Tait. Will Robinson and Aaron O’Connor remain sidelined with injuries.

Eastwood struck first in the 18th minute when Phil Watt’s pinpoint long pass picked out Terry Hawkridge. His first touch was sublime and his second was clinical, slotting into the corner to make it 0–1.

Belper hit back on 36 minutes. A dangerous cross from the right was initially well saved by Sam Wilson, but Daniel Odunaiya reacted quickest to bury the rebound and level the game at 1–1. The equaliser spurred Belper on, and they ended the half the stronger despite Eastwood’s earlier dominance.

HT Belper United 1–1 Eastwood CFC

The second half exploded into life. On 58 minutes, Eastwood regained the lead when Declan Dunn’s effort was blocked by a hand, and the referee pointed to the spot.

Hawkridge stepped up and coolly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for his second of the game, 1–2.

But within a minute, Belper were level again. Straight from the restart, Odunaiya grabbed his second, finishing smartly after a quick move down the left flank, making it 2–2.

Belper almost took the lead on 73 minutes when Keaton August rattled the inside of the post, but it was Eastwood who struck next. On 81 minutes, Toby Woodward won possession and fed Lavell White, who released Thomas Hodgkinson down the right. His cross was perfect for Tyler Blake, who swept home to give Eastwood the lead for a third time, 2–3.

Yet the hosts refused to be beaten. In the 88th minute, Belper player-manager Alex Steadman’s corner was flicked on by Ben Price, whose header found the net to make it 3–3.

Despite an end-to-end finale, neither side could find a winner, leaving the derby honours even.

⭐ Man of the Match: Terry Hawkridge – two goals, creativity in midfield, and a constant threat going forward.

Belper United Lineup
1 Joe Fryatt
2 Rhys Brailsford (Nisan Yaa 85)
3 Tom Eccleshall (Steadman 85)
4 Ben Price (88)
5 Kyle Bryant (c)
6 Tarun Rohilla
7 Kieran O’Connell (Smith 78)
8 Micah Edwards
9 Daniel Odunaiya (36,59) (Banks 90)
10 Jay Bruce (Francis 78)
11 Keaton August

Subs
12 Harry Banks
14 Bernard Nisan Yaa
15 Tyrel Francis
16 Alex Steadman
17 Toby Smith

Eastwood CFC Lineup
1. Sam Wilson
2. Alfie Flynn (White 58)
3. Neo Saunders
4. Declan Dunn
5. Phil Watt (Morris-Wright 46)
6. Jake Wright (c)
7. Terry Hawkridge (18,58 pen)
8. Jermain Hollis (Woodward 64)
9. Tyler Blake (83)
10. Sacha Markelic (Elliott 83)
11. Jevin Seaton (Hodgkinson 73)

Subs
12. Elijah Morris-Wright
14. Lavell White
15. Daniel Elliott
16. Toby Woodward
17. Thomas Hodgkinson

Attendance: 102