Despite dominating large spells of the contest, Eastwood were unable to find the breakthrough, and although the result felt like two points dropped, it came on a weekend where sides above them — Hucknall Town, Skegness Town, Newark Town and Kimberley MW — all dropped points, meaning Eastwood’s steady climb up the table continues.

Unchanged XI for the First Time Under Francis
For the first time in his tenure, manager Willis Francis named an unchanged starting team, sticking with the eleven who secured a gritty 1–0 win away at Melton Town a week earlier.
The Red Badgers were once again without strikers Aaron O’Connor and Tyler Blake, while Daniel Elliott also remained sidelined.

Meanwhile Jermain Hollis made back-to-back starts for the first time since early November, while Finnley Commons and Tom Marshall returned to the matchday squad for the first time in over four years.

Lavell White missed out through suspension, and Elijah Morris-Wright was not included.

A Tight First Half With Openings for Both Sides
Eastwood began on the front foot, moving the ball sharply and looking to exploit width through Nicholson and Gbopo.

However, Blackstones defended deep, remained compact, and looked to break through Bestwick and Davies on the counter.
The hosts were forced into an early change when Jermain Hollis picked up an injury on 31 minutes, replaced by Tom Marshall.

Despite chances developing around the box, Eastwood struggled to test Berezowski, with the final pass or finish lacking at crucial moments.

At the other end, Wilson, Watt, and Wright marshalled the defence well, limiting Blackstones to speculative efforts and preventing any sustained pressure.

Second Half: One-Way Traffic but No Breakthrough
The second half mirrored the first — Eastwood dictating possession, Blackstones defending stubbornly.

Willis Francis introduced Joel Stevens shortly after the restart, replacing Marcus Marshall on 53 minutes, in an attempt to add pace and direct running to the attack.

Blackstones, however, remained organised, even when forced into a late change as goalkeeper Berezowski was replaced by Callum Willimont in the 90+2 minute.

The Blackstones goalkeeper Bartosz Berezowski suffered a nasty injury during a collision. With no substitute goalkeeper remaining on the bench, centre-half Edmunds Grunsteins stepped up to take the gloves for the closing stages.

Eastwood players and supporters alike wished Berezowski well as he left the pitch — everyone at Eastwood CFC hopes for a speedy recovery.

Due to the seriousness of the incident, the referee extended injury time totalling an extraordinary 18 minutes of additional time, extending the game well beyond the 100-minute mark.

Eastwood threw men forward deep into stoppage time, with Hodgkinson and Woodward both brought on to chase a winner.

Yet the decisive moment never arrived, and the visitors held on for a hard-earned point.

FULL-TIME: Eastwood CFC 0–0 Blackstones
A frustrating afternoon for the Red Badgers, who were solid defensively but lacked the spark needed to break down their Lincolnshire opponents.

Still, the unbeaten run grows to seven league matches, and with rivals around them slipping up, Eastwood remain firmly in the hunt as they continue their climb up the table.

Eastwood CFC Lineup;
1. Sam Wilson
2. Tony Gbopo
3. Alfie Flynn (Hodgkinson 90+12)
4. Declan Dunn
5. Phil Watt
6. Jake Wright (c)
7. Jermain Hollis (T Marshall 31)
8. Theo Flanagan (Woodward 90+13)
9. Marcus Marshall (Stevens 53)
10. Terry Hawkridge
11. Louis Nicholson

Subs
12. Tom Marshall
14. Toby Woodward
15. Finnley Commons
16. Joel Stevens
17. Thomas Hodgkinson

Blackstones Lineup;
1. Bartosz Berezowski (Willimont 90+2)
2. Ewan Simmons
3. Kyle Rowell
4. Edmunds Grunsteins
5. Kenneth Wheatland
6. Shaun Archer
8. Lewis Walker (Rudman 71)
10. Kieran Duffy-Weekes (c) (Isobor 79)
11. Callum Davies (Rankin 71)
21. Joshua Barrett
22. William Bestwick

Subs
12. Cameron Rankin
14. Keane Miller
15. Klintey Isobor
16. Callum Willimont
17. Nathan Rudman

Man Of The Match: