With Manager Lewis McGugan unavailable Alexander Shayler took charge who himself was under the weather with flu. After tough matches for the First Team and the Academy in the two days leading up to the fixture the Under 21’s were forced into making seven changes from the side that performed so well in the 3-0 win over Stapleford Town. Utley, Tyler, Flynn, Woodward, Bogg and Masi were all injured, Jayden Morledge started on the bench. Bykou, Kizito and Shaw all made their full debut, Walters, Tomlinson, Divine and Clowes were all recalled.

It was a night to forget for Eastwood CFC U21s, who fell to a 4–0 defeat away to Club Thorne Colliery in the League Cup. With all four defenders having played a full 90 minutes for other sides the previous day, the young Red Badgers looked leggy and struggled to find their rhythm.

Hosts Strike First

The first half was largely uneventful, with Eastwood unable to impose themselves in possession. The hosts took the lead in the 32nd minute when a deep cross from the right was allowed to bounce several times inside the box before a Thorne midfielder smashed the ball high over Tomlinson to make it 1–0.
Despite a brief response from Eastwood, they failed to create any clear chances before the break.

Half-Time: Club Thorne Colliery 1–0 Eastwood CFC U21s

Second-Half Struggles

Eastwood looked to start the second half with intent, but suffered the worst possible start just four minutes after the restart. A quick counter-attack from the hosts found their number 9 in the box at a tight angle, and he managed to squeeze the ball under Tomlinson to double their advantage. 2–0.

Things went from bad to worse on 56 minutes when Zakai Walters was penalised for what appeared to be a soft foul inside the area. The Thorne forward dusted himself off and converted the resulting penalty to make it 3–0.
The hosts rounded off the scoring in the 71st minute, catching Eastwood out once again at the back. Their number 7 cut inside smartly before lifting the ball beyond Tomlinson for his second and Thorne’s fourth.

Late Fight Shows Spirit

Eastwood finished the match the stronger side, with Leo Robinson and Divine Osaro both going close in the final minutes, but they couldn’t find a way through a resolute home defence.

A tough evening for the young Red Badgers, who will look to regroup and bounce back in league action next week.

Eastwood CFC Lineup;
1. Sam Tomlinson
2. Zakai Walters
3. Thomas Hodgkinson (Cox 62)
4. Dionysis Bykou (Morledge 58)
5. Jamal Kizito
6. Owen Hayes (c)
7. Osaro Divine
8. Kian Hughes
9. Leo Robinson
10. Reuben Clowes (Daffeh 74)
11. Maliki Shaw

Subs
12. Lamin Daffeh
13. Callum Altoft
14. Tallen Miguel
15. Lee Cox
16. Jayden Morledge