After a disappointing defeat last time out, Eastwood CFC Development returned to winning ways in dramatic fashion, edging out Romulus 4–3 in a pulsating encounter at Coronation Park. Both sides came into the game with identical records — two wins from three — setting the stage for an exciting clash, and it certainly delivered.

Lewis McGugan took charge again and once again inherited a depleted squad leading to him making seven changes (five enforced) from the side that suffered their first defeat of the season last Wednesday. Assuman (Injured), Altoft (injured), Rijssel (fatigue), Shaw (work) and Powell (Ill) all missed out. Birkin dropped to the bench and Grant was not selected. Allowing for Toon Poynton and Roate to make their first starts of the season, Cox, Linger, Lukjanoves and Sutton-Watkin were all recalled and Reuben Clowes made his first inclusion for the Development team as he works his way back from a foot injury.

Fast Start from the Hosts
Eastwood opened the scoring in the 19th minute through captain Reuben Clowes, whose relentless pressing paid off. Marley Sutton-Watkin forced a defensive error with superb pressure, and when the visiting goalkeeper miscontrolled a short back-pass, Clowes was on hand to roll the ball into an empty net for 1–0.

Six minutes later, Eastwood doubled their advantage. After sustained attacking play, Shonquae Johnson’s cross wasn’t dealt with, and a clever flick from Clowes found Jayden Morledge, who teed up Devayn Linger to calmly slot home his third goal in as many games.

The hosts were flying, and four minutes later, Clowes made it three. A Clowes free-kick looked to have come to nothing until Ashley-Jayden Toon-Poynton, making his first appearance of the season, poked the ball through for Linger. The forward twisted past his marker and squared the ball across goal, where Johnson narrowly missed, but Clowes was on hand at the back post to tap in his second of the game. 3–0 Eastwood, and cruising.

Romulus Fight Back
Romulus grabbed a lifeline eight minutes before the break. Their No.7 showed blistering pace down the right before delivering a perfect cross to the back post, where his teammate tapped home to make it 3–1. Eastwood almost restored their three-goal cushion when Lee Cox saw his long-range effort deflect onto the crossbar, but it remained 3–1 at the interval.

Momentum Shifts After the Break

The second half couldn’t have started worse for Eastwood. Just 30 seconds after the restart, Romulus pulled another back — though there was controversy, with strong appeals for a foul on Johnson ignored. Goalkeeper Tomlinson saved the first attempt, but the visitors reacted quickest to bundle in the rebound.

Romulus completed their comeback in the 51st minute. A pinpoint cross from the right found the onrushing forward, who met it with a stunning first-time volley into the top corner. 3–3 — game on.

Captain Clowes Leads by Example
Both teams pushed for a winner, and it was Eastwood who found it six minutes from time. Morledge broke free down the right and fizzed a low cross into the box, where Clowes was waiting to tap home and complete his hat-trick — his simplest finish of the day, but perhaps his most important.

Eastwood held firm in the closing stages to secure a vital 4–3 victory and a return to winning ways.

Full-Time: Eastwood CFC Development 4–3 Romulus

Man of the Match: Ashley-Jayden Toon-Poynton

On his first appearance of the season, AJ impressed with his defensive awareness, composure, and bravery — showing flashes of the form that earned him regular call-ups to the Super Team last campaign. A strong statement performance as he looks to cement his place back in the side.

Eastwood CFC Lineup;
1. Sam Tomlinson
2. Leo Roate (Frimpong 55)
3. Marley Sutton-Watkin
4. Shonquae Johnson
5. Matas Lukjanoves (Burrows 46)
6. AJ Toon-Poynton
7. Devayn Linger (25)
8. Yahya Bajinka
9. Reuben Clowes (19,29,82) (Birkin 87)
10. Lee Cox (Hassan 89)
11. Jayden Morledge

Subs
12. Harrison Fields
13. Tyler Burrows
14. Steffan Frimpong
15. Easton Birkin
16. Monzir Hassan