After four successive away games we returned to Coronation Park for the first competitive Under 21 fixture at home since March. The boss made two changes from the side that beat Sandiacre. Zakai Walters and Osaro Divine both started the match will Jamal Kizitio (ill) and Toby Woodward (injured) both out.

Eastwood CFC U21s suffered their first league defeat of the season on Friday night, losing 2–1 at home to a well-drilled Buxton side despite taking an early lead at Coronation Park.

Manager Lewis McGugan’s side started brightly and looked in control during the opening stages. The breakthrough came after just seven minutes, with a beautifully worked team move. Goalkeeper Sam Tyler calmly rolled the ball to Owen Hayes, who picked out Thomas Hodgkinson down the left. Hodgkinson delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post, where Leo Robinson arrived perfectly to smash home and give Eastwood the lead.

The hosts almost doubled their advantage on 15 minutes when another dangerous Hodgkinson delivery was nearly turned into his own net by a Buxton defender. From the resulting corner, the visiting goalkeeper did well to claim under pressure.

Buxton grew into the contest as the half wore on and threatened from a free-kick in a promising position on 21 minutes, but the effort cleared the crossbar. Six minutes later, they found an equaliser. Eastwood lost possession in midfield, and with Hayes caught out of position, the ball was worked down the left before a teasing cross was met by the Buxton forward, who got between Walters and Flynn to head home for 1–1.

Barely a minute later, Buxton turned the game on its head. A loose pass from Kian Hughes was intercepted, allowing the visitors’ number seven to drive down the line, weave into the box, and finish neatly at the near post.

Eastwood looked to respond before the break, and Reuben Clowes, who replaced the injured Finley Welbourn, forced the keeper into a smart save with a low strike from distance on the stroke of half-time.

Half-Time: Eastwood CFC U21s 1–2 Buxton

Buxton came out strongly after the restart and almost extended their lead immediately, breaking through from kick-off and forcing Tyler into an early save. On 55 minutes, Eastwood were let off the hook when another loose pass in midfield gave the visitors a chance, but Tyler gathered comfortably.

For much of the second half, Buxton pressed high and Eastwood struggled to get out of their own half. However, as the hour mark passed, the momentum began to swing back towards the hosts. Substitutes Luca Masi, Devayn Linger, and Jayden Morledge all added energy as Eastwood pushed for an equaliser.

Chances followed — Divine, Utley, and Masi all saw efforts blocked or saved — while Clowes’ direct running on the left caused problems for the Buxton defence. In the 71st minute, he broke free down the flank and sent in a dangerous low cross that just evaded a Altoft at the far post.

With time running out, Eastwood continued to press. Hodgkinson cut inside and tested the keeper on 83 minutes before Clowes went close twice late on — first firing over when well placed, then delivering an inviting cross deep into stoppage time that found Morledge, who headed over from close range with what looked a certain goal.

Despite a strong finish, Eastwood couldn’t find the equaliser their second-half performance deserved, falling to a narrow defeat in a tightly contested match.

Eastwood CFC Lineup;
1. Sam Tyler
2. Zakai Walters
3. Daniel Utley
4. Lamin Daffeh (Masi 62)
5. Owen Hayes (Linger 56)
6. Alfie Flynn ©
7. Leo Robinson (7) (Altoft 58)
8. Osaro Divine (Morledge 79)
9. Finley Welbourn (Clowes 26)
10. Kian Hughes
11. Thomas Hodgkinson

Subs
12. Callum Aloft
14. Reuben Clowes
15. Devayn Linger
17. Luca Masi
18. Jayden Morledge

Man Of The Match, Thomas Hodgkinson: A constant threat down the left, setting up the opening goal and continuing to create chances throughout.