With Daryll Thomas absent from the dugout, assistant Martin Ball took sole charge of Eastwood and made two changes to the side that started last week’s FA Vase tie. Sacha Markelic returned to the XI, while Toby Woodward was handed his first start of the season. Tyler Blake was back in the squad but only among the substitutes, while Noh Abraha and Thomas Hodgkinson missed out.

Both teams came into the contest with contrasting recent form. Hucknall were buoyed by a 4–0 win in their previous outing, though that had ended a five-game winless run. Eastwood, meanwhile, were unbeaten in four but had only managed two points from a possible twelve.

The opening stages were lively without producing much in the way of clear chances. Eastwood carved out the first opportunity on five minutes, but the effort was comfortably gathered by Hucknall goalkeeper Frankie. At the other end, Solace went close on 14 minutes, volleying wide after Eastwood failed to fully clear a throw-in.

Mazhi delivered a dangerous cross on 16 minutes that narrowly missed Wells, while Joe Ashurst almost produced a moment of magic on 33 minutes, spotting Sam Wilson off his line and attempting an audacious lob that dropped just over the bar. The half ended goalless with little to separate the sides.

The turning point arrived just after the restart. On 52 minutes, Lavell White received his second yellow card and Eastwood were reduced to ten men. Hucknall immediately took advantage, as Uyi-Daye found space at the back post and his deflected strike crept inside the post to break the deadlock.

The visitors doubled their lead midway through the half with the game’s standout moment. Ashurst spotted Wilson off his line once again, and this time his audacious 50-yard lob sailed over the keeper and into the net to make it 2–0.

Wilson denied Hucknall a third with a fine save on 75 minutes, but by then the damage was done.

Full-time: Eastwood CFC 0–2 Hucknall Town

Despite an even first half, Eastwood’s hopes unravelled after the red card, with Hucknall showing the clinical edge needed to claim all three points at Coronation Park.

Eastwood CFC Lineup;
1. Sam Wilson
2. Lavell White
3. Harvey Ridgley
4. Declan Dunn (Marshall 78)
5. Elijah Morris-Wright
6. Jake Wright (c)
7. Terry Hawkridge
8. Toby Woodward (Elliott 54)
9. Sacha Markelic (Blake 58)
10. Jevin Seaton
11. Jermain Hollis

Subs
12. Daniel Elliott
14. Marcus Marshall
15. Phil Watt
16. Tyler Blake
17. Alfie Flynn

Attendance: 184