Eastwood CFC’s unbeaten record at Hucknall Town came to an end as Willis Francis’ men fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat on Wednesday night.

The Red Badgers arrived in confident mood following back-to-back victories, knowing that another three points would move them into the play-off positions. Francis made two changes from the impressive win at Sherwood Colliery, with Tony Gbopo and Theo Flanagan returning to the starting eleven. Kieran Hayes dropped to the bench, while Joel Stevens was forced out of the squad after pulling up in the warm-up. Elijah Morris-Wright took his place amongst the substitutes, and there was no spot for Jermain Hollis.

Eastwood had won on their previous two visits to Hucknall and had never tasted defeat there, but this proved a different kind of test.
The visitors fashioned the first opportunity of the evening when Tyler Blake teed up Theo Flanagan, but the midfielder was unable to generate enough power to seriously trouble Smith-Eccles in the Hucknall goal.

Hucknall’s first chance came on 11 minutes in controversial fashion as Dillon Reason appeared to be in an offside position, but with no flag forthcoming he raced through on goal. He rounded Sam Wilson, only for Alfie Flynn to recover superbly and produce a brilliant goal-line clearance to keep the scores level.

Eastwood responded well and nearly broke the deadlock on 29 minutes. Flanagan showed great vision to pick out Blake peeling off the shoulder of Ferdinand Bartley. The striker lifted the ball over the advancing keeper, but Bartley recovered excellently to clear the danger.
The visitors suffered another setback on 32 minutes when Tony Gbopo was forced off through injury, adding to the frustration after losing Stevens before kick-off.

Just as it seemed the sides would head into the break level, Hucknall struck in first-half stoppage time. Mazhi Simmons found space in behind and pulled the ball back to Reason, who was left unmarked on the edge of the area and calmly finished into the corner to give the hosts the lead.

At half-time there had been little to separate the two teams. Hucknall were content to keep possession, while Eastwood were disciplined and organised without the ball. The goal had come somewhat against the run of play but proved decisive.

The second half was a quieter affair, with Hucknall effectively taking the sting out of the game and limiting clear-cut opportunities. Eastwood pushed for a leveller but struggled to create clear openings.

In the closing stages the game briefly came to life. Joe Ashurst struck the bar for Hucknall on 90 minutes, before Eastwood had two huge chances to rescue a point deep into added time. Aaron O’Connor saw a golden opportunity sail over the bar, and moments later Callum Cocks had time to pick his spot but dragged his effort just wide.

The final whistle confirmed a frustrating night for Eastwood, whose strong recent momentum was halted by a single first-half goal. Attention now turns to the next fixture as Francis’ side look to respond quickly and reignite their push towards the play-off places.

Hucknall Town Lineup;

1. Alfie Smith-Eccles
2. Cashmere Rowe
3. Mazhi Simmons (Short 87)
4. Luis Parkes (c)
5. Reece Sugars
6. Ferdinand Bartley
7. Surafel Tefera (Ashurst 66)
8. Daniel Tuck
9. Aaron Coyle (Marshall 74)
10. Lewis Belgrave (Omreiki 80)
11. Dillon Reason (Jaine 88)

Subs
12. Marcus Marshall
14. Myles Omreiki
15. Aaron Short
16. Joseph Ashurst
18. Taylor Jaine

Eastwood CFC Lineup;

1. Sam Wilson
2. Tony Gbopo (O’Connor 32)
3. Louis Nicholson
4. Declan Dunn (Woodward 71)
5. Phil Watt
6. Jake Wright (c)
7. Theo Flanagan (Hayes 46)
8. Callum Cocks
9. Tyler Blake
10. Terry Hawkridge (Saunders 71)
11. Alfie Flynn (Morris-Wright 71)

Subs
12. Kieran Hayes
14. Aaron O’Connor
15. Toby Woodward
16. Elijah Morris-Wright
17. Neo Saunders