Sutton Tn AFC 3-5 Eastwood Tn

Wednesday 15th February 2012 - Notts F.A. Senior Cup R3

Thought there might have been a chance of an upset at the Fieldings as CML Sutton took on Conference North Eastwood. If Jason Edwards had have stayed on the pitch for the whole game, who knows?

As it turned out, the Badgers were just too good for a plucky Sutton team, but it was a close run thing.  

Rob Hornby and Trev Williams were the first friends we met as we entered the ground.  Grabbed a word with Eastwood boss John Ramshaw before kick off - and despite his team failing to do the business in the League, he remains cheerful..... and it's always fun to see "Rammers" in action.

Bus mogul Trev Bailey came and stood with us for the first 45 minutes - had a quick word with Referees Scott Mason and Hristo Karaivanov - then to Matty Draper and our good buddy, Scarborough Manager Rudy Funk.

Former Badger James Whitehead is currently on the playing staff at the Fieldings. "Topps" and Eastwood left back Chris Shaw were together at Coronation Park for a few years - and it was interesting to see them go head to head for the whole 90 minutes. 

JASON EDWARDS gave the home team a dream start, hammering the ball past Jake Want in the Badgers goal after just 8 minutes.  The lead lasted barely three minutes though, a Shaw corner bundled into the Sutton net by DAVID HAGGERTY.  

On 28, the Snipes were reduced to 10 men after Edwards kept out Markell Bailey's effort from the left with his hand.  Edwards had been tracking back to cover after keeper Dale Sheppard made a mess of a clearance. Although with hindsight it would have been a better idea to let the ball go past him, Edwards decide to palm away, giving the Ref no option other than to issue a red card, along with the penalty. MARKELL BAILEY took the kick and netted with ease.

So Eastwood 2-1 up against 10 men -- Rammers still said he wasn't confident of victory, and his fears were realised two minutes later when Eastwood failed to clear, leaving CRAIG MITCHELL free at the far post, and the former Stag had the simple job of tapping home from about a yard out.  With 5 minutes of the half remaining, Shaw fired a blistering effort at the Sutton goal, but Sheppard pulled off a terrific save to deny the left back.  H-T 2-2

The Snipes more than held their own for the first 25 minutes of the second half, but a defensive lapse allowed the ball to fly across the goal, and FRANCIS GREEN was on hand to tap home.  The Badgers were awarded another penalty two minutes later after Craig Charlesworth mistimed his challenge - and that man BAILEY stepped up again to give Eastwood a 2 goal advantage.  BAILEY completed his hat-trick on 82, smashing the ball past Sheppard from the corner of the box. Cracking goal that probably made it worth the fiver entrance fee.   Sutton had the last word though, MITCHELL again "Johnny on the spot", sliding the ball home after Dean Shorts' effort on goal somehow picked out the no. 9 on the far post.  F-T 3-5

Very entertaining game - and although Eastwood are more or less doomed to relegation, there was a fair amount of passion and if Rammers can stabilise his playing staff, they will do well in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

We have seen the top three CML South teams recently, and South Normanton, Basford and Sutton have all showed that they can play. Should be a very interesting end to the season - only one team will be allowed promotion......!!

Admission £5 !!!

Programme - £1 -- compared to the Basford one, this effort was really poor

Attendance ? 50 60? No idea

Eastwood team details - kindly provided by Pat Farrell

Line up:-
Jake Want, Steve Istead, Chris Shaw, Sam Benjamin ( Ashley Noble), David Haggerty, Gavin Caines, Danny Elliott, Alex Troke, Francis Green, Markell Bailey, Paul Riley. Subs not used: Richard Cooper, Josh Stevenson, Josh Raven.