Venue: Coronation Park, Eastwood
Kick off: 7;45pm
Attendance: >50
Eastwood CFC welcomed Staveley MW to their Coronation Park home, and gave their step 5 visitors a stiff challenge, grabbing the winning goal in the 89th minute. I've known Eastwood manager Dave Marlow and Staveley supremo Brett Marshall for many years - Dave was previously with Linby CW and Arnold Town before taking charge at Eastwood, whilst Brett has managed at several clubs, Blidworth, Hucknall Town and Retford Utd to name but three.
This step 7 v step 5 contest looked an away banker on paper - but PSF can throw up some unlikely results and with the look on Marshall's face after the final whistle, I don't think I would have enjoyed being in the Staveley changing room post-match!
Chay Betteridge need treatment on 14 after colliding with keeper Matty Leese, but shortly after play resumed, Staveley took the lead through Micky Collins. A free kick was pumped upfield by Leese, and after a couple of touches the ball was rolled into the box to where Collins was on hand to slot home from 10 yards. The referee awarded a penalty kick to Staveley after Jack Walker appeared to barge into a Staveley player. It took the ref a few moments to make his mind up, but after looking at the video, it looks to have been the correct decision. Nathan Benger stepped up and although he struck the ball well enough, Walker guessed correctly, diving to his right to save.
Jamie Thomas tried his luck from 20 yards with 25 played, but Leese saved well, and when Thomas played in Joe Butler a few minutes later, the keeper was the Staveley saviour again, claiming the ball at the strikers feet. The same combination of Thomas and Butler were responsible for the Eastwood equaliser on 32. Thomas's forward run was picked out superbly by Jack James and although his shot was scuffed, it rolled across the goal to where Butler was waiting to tap into the empty net from a couple of yards out.
Walker penalty save
Danny Hayes saw his drive cannon off the bar on 35, then seconds later Thomas had another shot well saved by Leese. Butler thought he'd given the Red Badgers the lead with seconds of the first half remaining, but after his terrific run through the visiting defence gave him room to fire at goal, the final shot rolled agonisingly wide of the far upright. H-T 1-1
Butler had a shot at goal within four minutes of the restart, but the effort was deflected out for a corner. Staveley's best chance arrived some 5 minutes later, but after Ash Rawson's initial effort was blocked by Walker, it took a brave sliding challenge by Billy Brooks to kill off the danger. Jack Smith had a shot well saved by Leese, and with an hour played Butler fired wide after making yet another run at the Staveley defence.
Smith tried his luck again on 77, but Leese was equal to the shot and tipped over for a corner. At the other end, Danny Tring had to be alert in the Eastwood area with 10 to play, blocking Benger efforts twice before the ball was hacked away to safety.
On 86, Sam Meakin played Butler in on goal, but after controlling the ball well the strikers effort flew just wide. The game was settled in the final minute when Thomas picked out Butler on the edge of the area. The frontman hit the ball well enough, but Leese was able to divert the ball way from goal - only to see that Thomas had continued his run into the box and was able to steer the ball home from a tight angle. F-T 2-1.
