Academy boss Lewis McGugan made seven changes from the side that beat AFDA Leicester. Only Kian Hughes, Devayn Linger, Jamal Kizito and Brendan McRae kept their place. Alfie Flynn and Zakai Walters came into the back line, Toby Woodward started in midfield and the front three included Reuben Clowes, Leo Robinson and Thomas Hodgkinson.

The Red Badgers started on the front foot, with Leo Robinson and Reuben Clowes both going close early on. Their pressure paid off in the 33rd minute when Devayn Linger won back possession and found Robinson, who slipped through Clowes to calmly slot the ball under the advancing keeper — 1–0.

Eastwood dominated much of the first half and went into the break with a deserved lead.

Just three minutes after the restart, the visitors equalised. A misplaced pass in midfield allowed FSD to break quickly, and their winger lashed a powerful strike into the roof of the net from a tight angle to make it 1–1.

In the 68th minute, Toby Woodward’s relentless pressing won the ball back before he found Clowes, who struck from distance into the bottom corner to restore Eastwood’s advantage — 2–1.

Deep into stoppage time, FSD levelled again. A cross into the box wasn’t cleared, and despite Sam Tyler’s initial save, the rebound was turned home to make it 2–2 and send the tie to penalties.

In the shootout, Eastwood held their nerve:
Woodward, Hughes, and Walters all converted confidently.

Sam Tyler produced two outstanding saves to put Eastwood in control.

Shiloh Atkinson, on his return from injury, sealed the victory by calmly slotting home the decisive penalty to secure a 4–2 win.

Final Score: Eastwood CFC 2–2 FSD Academy (Eastwood win 4–2 on penalties)

Man of the Match: Toby Woodward – yet another commanding, mature performance from Eastwood’s midfield engine, dictating play and setting the tone throughout.

Eastwood CFC Lineup;
1. Sam Tyler
2. Devayn Linger
3. Zakai Walters
4. Kian Hughes
5. Jamal Kizito
6. Alfie Flynn (c)
7. Leo Robinson
8. Toby Woodward
9. Reuben Clowes (33, 68)
10. Brendan McRae
11. Thomas Hodgkinson

Subs
12. Roche Rijssel
14. Maliki Shaw
15. Marley Sutton-Watkin
16. Josh Lewis
17. Shiloh Atkinson
18. Hakim Assuman