Early Goals Prove Costly in Home Defeat at Coronation Park.

Eastwood CFC Academy Development slipped to a 2–0 defeat at Coronation Park against a strong Future Pro side, who struck twice inside the opening half-hour to take all three points.

Academy Manager Lewis McGugan took charge once again of our development team and made 5 changes from the seven goal thriller last Friday. Jimmy McPherson started ahead of Sam Tomlinson in goal, Josh Lewis started at right back with Dionis Bykou in midfield, with Leo Roate and AJ Toon-Poynton moving to the bench. Alfie Upton returned after being on the sidelines for two weeks, Callum Altoft also returned from injury to start.

The visitors made a fast start and went ahead after just five minutes. Their number 12 collected the ball down the left, beat his man, and delivered a low cross into the box. The number 11 controlled well, turned sharply, and fired past Jimmy McPherson, who had been in fine form in recent weeks.

Moments later, McPherson was called into action again, tipping a fierce strike over the bar after a loose clearance fell kindly for the visitors. Future Pro’s left winger continued to cause problems and forced the Eastwood keeper into another smart save as the pressure mounted.

Eastwood slowly began to settle, and on 20 minutes, Josh Lewis’s long throw was flicked on by Callum Altoft, dropping to Devayn Linger, whose effort from a good position lacked the connection to trouble the keeper.

The visitors hit the post on the counter-attack in the 25th minute but made no mistake a minute later. A misplaced pass from Lukjanoves was intercepted and quickly fed through to the Future Pro number 9, who finished calmly one-on-one to double the lead.

Eastwood continued to create chances before the break. Lee Cox’s cross caused problems, falling to Linger who shot wide, before Alfie Upton tested the goalkeeper from distance. Linger then had another good chance on 36 minutes but couldn’t quite reach the through ball as Future Pro went into the interval two goals up.

Half-Time: Eastwood CFC Academy Development 0–2 Future Pro

The second half saw a change in goal, with Tomlinson replacing the injured McPherson just before the break. Tomlinson was immediately involved, recovering well after a misplaced pass to put off the Future Pro striker who blasted over the bar. He was called into action again on 52 minutes, producing an excellent point-blank save from a powerful header.

Eastwood improved as the game went on and began to create more attacking opportunities, led by substitute Maliki Shaw who injected real energy down the flank. On the hour mark, Shaw wriggled past his marker and forced the keeper into a save after a mazy run from the byline.

Ten minutes later, he almost produced a stunning solo goal — beating three defenders before striking the post, with Altoft unable to convert the rebound. Shaw went close again moments later after another dazzling run, but his effort was straight at the goalkeeper.

Eastwood continued to press in the closing stages. Ashley-Jayden Toon-Poynton’s free kick on 84 minutes fell to Altoft, whose attempted lob was clawed away by the keeper, before Altoft went close again in stoppage time, sending a speculative effort just wide.

Despite a strong second-half showing, Eastwood couldn’t find the breakthrough their persistence deserved as Future Pro’s early goals proved decisive.

Man of the match, Alfie Upton: Composed and influential in midfield, dictating play with excellent passing, control, and temperament throughout.

Eastwood CFC Lineup;
1. Jimmy McPherson (McPherson 44)
2. Joshua Lewis (Toon-Poynton 64)
3. Marley Sutton-Watkin (Roate 64)
4. Dionis Bykou (Powell 46)
5. Matas Lukjanoves (Sutton Watkin 70)
6. Shonquae Johnson
7. Devayn Linger (Morledge 67)
8. Alfie Upton (Lewis 83)
9. Callum Altoft
10. Lee Cox (Burrows 46)
11. Jayden Morledge (Shaw 46)

Subs
Lackeem Powell (Cox 72)
Leo Roate
Sam Tomlinson
AJ Toon-Poynton
Tyler Burrows
Maliki Shaw