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Grantham Town 1-1 Eastwood CFC
Eastwood CFC extended their unbeaten league run under manager Willis Francis with a hard-earned 1–1 draw away at high-flying Grantham Town – a result that could easily have been more after a strong, disciplined performance at The Meres.
Grantham began the night 3rd in the table, undefeated at home all season, while Eastwood sat 12th but buoyed by their impressive point against league leaders Boston Town just three days earlier. Francis made two changes: Alfie Flynn and Lavell White came into the starting XI, with Tyler Blake missing out through injury and Jake Wright also absent. Elijah Morris-Wright and Finnley Commons both returned to the bench.
A crowd of over 200 created a lively atmosphere, and the hosts started brightly, immediately testing Eastwood’s defensive organisation with sharp, direct attacks.
First Half – Eastwood Grow Into the Game
It took until the 10th minute for Eastwood to create their first meaningful opportunity, Theo Flanagan stinging the palms of Grantham goalkeeper Jack Steggles from distance.
On 16 minutes, Nyle Blake unleashed a powerful effort that forced Steggles into a superb stop, and as the loose ball remained in play, the keeper scrambled to claw it away from the corner flag before colliding heavily with Lavell White. A lengthy stoppage followed while Steggles received treatment, but he was able to continue.
Eastwood settled well and began to dictate the tempo through the ever-influential Terry Hawkridge, who created another opening on 35 minutes, slipping Nyle Blake through for a low strike that Steggles gathered comfortably.
The breakthrough came in added time. In the 45+3rd minute, goalkeeper Sam Wilson launched a quick throw to Hawkridge, who surged forward and picked out Flanagan. The midfielder beat his man with ease before squaring across goal for Nyle Blake to tap home from close range.
HT: Grantham Town 0–1 Eastwood CFC
Second Half – Penalty Levels the Game
Eastwood almost doubled their lead just two minutes after the restart when Jermain Hollis delivered an early cross that Nyle Blake poked narrowly wide.
The Red Badgers looked comfortable, but the hosts worked their way back into the contest, and in the 64th minute Phil Watt launched a long ball that Hawkridge delivered low into the box, Lavell White inches away from converting.
The game’s turning point arrived in the 69th minute. Grantham’s Andrew Wright swung in a deep corner that drifted over everyone, but the referee spotted a push from Tony Gbopo on Sean Wright in the middle of the box and pointed to the spot.
Former Eastwood man Terry Atem stepped up and calmly sent Wilson the wrong way.
1–1.
Final Minutes – Both Sides Could Have Won It
The final 20 minutes swung back and forth.
86’ – Nyle Blake raced through on goal but Steggles made yet another outstanding save.
89’ – Eastwood failed to clear from a corner, allowing Sean Wright to test Wilson with a tame effort.
In stoppage time the game became frantic:
90’ – Hawkridge forced Steggles into another top-class save.
90+4’ – Atem broke clear one-on-one but shot straight at Wilson.
90+5’ – A long Dan Dougill throw dropped to Andrew Wright, whose shot bobbled through to Nathan Stanifield, only for the midfielder to blaze over from close range.
90+8’ – Atem once again beat Morris-Wright in a footrace but dragged his shot wide of the far post.
Moments later the referee ended what had become a breathless finale.
Full-Time: Grantham Town 1–1 Eastwood CFC
Eastwood would likely have taken a point beforehand given Grantham’s superb home record, but there was also a sense of opportunity missed after creating several clear chances to win the game. At the same time, they needed resilience late on to avoid defeat.
Grantham goalkeeper Jack Steggles, who made a string of crucial saves, was named Man of the Match – a reflection of how hard Eastwood pushed the hosts throughout.
Attention now turns to Saturday’s trip to Melton Town as The Red Badgers look to extend their impressive unbeaten run under Willis Francis.
Grantham Town Lineup;
1. Jack Steggles
2. Mitch Griffiths (Edgington 87)
3. Sam Warburton
4. Sean Wright
5. Nathan Stainfield (c)
6. Andrew Wright
7. Terry Atem (69pen)
8. Dan Dougill
9. Cameron Johnson (Jacklin 76)
10. Brad Munns (Langford 65)
11. Lee Shaw
Subs
12. Sam Edgington
14. Aston Taylor
15. Alex Roberts
16. William Langford
17. Michael Jacklin
Eastwood CFC Lineup;
1. Sam Wilson
2. Alfie Flynn
3. Louis Nicholson
4. Declan Dunn
5. Phil Watt
6. Tony Gbopo
7. Lavell White (Commons 71)
8. Theo Flanagan (Morris-Wright 90+3)
9. Nyle Blake (45)
10. Aaron O’Connor (c) (Hollis 21)
11. Terry Hawkridge
Subs
12. Jermain Hollis
14. Toby Woodward
15. Finnley Commons
16. Marcus Marshall
17. Elijah Morris-Wright
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