Saturday see’s the Red Badgers host just our second League Cup tie in four years with the reds having already bettered last years League Cup run, as a youthful team lead by Nick Labbate exited the competition at the first hurdle, going down 4-1 against Newport Pagnell Town.

Easington Sports have displayed a solid season in the league last campaign finishing a respectable 11th place and its been more of the same this time around, three wins and a draw from the opening ten fixtures scoring as many goals as they have conceded see’s them sit in 13th position. Having been knocked out the FA Vase and FA Cup already this season, a good run in the League Cup could be very high on Saturday’s visitors agenda. Despite the slow start to the season Easington have won four of their last five matches including the 2-1 defeat of Gedling Miners Welfare in the last round.
This week we caught up with the other joint boss Martin Ball who heavily praised his squad following a colossal performance last weekend “It has been another busy week following on from a brilliant win vs Lincoln last weekend. DT and myself were proud of every single one of the lads following a game that was full of positives. The debuts of Ben and Danny, for us as managers anyway, the defence looking solid aside from 1 lapse in concentration, Tyler Blake and Tommo doing what they do, along with some minutes in the bank for Steven were just a few. But the overriding positive was the will of the lads to not settle for a draw. From 1 to 15 they gave us everything. That’s how we as managers want to approach every game and it was really pleasing to see that the lads are buying into that and got their just rewards of another 3 points. “

“The Benfica coaches have landed in Eastwood and the buzz around that has been huge, we are aware of the importance the Chairman puts on the pathway for juniors, and this is something we want to embrace and they are being given the best chance possible with 2 first class coaches in place to over see their journey. We have also launched the new academy for next year and that’s another huge step forward for the club.”

“Onto the game, and this is another competition we want to do well in. As we have said before we enter every game and every competition wanting to win, and we will set up and put out a side that is more than capable of achieving that for us. Get behind the lads, like you have all season and let’s get ourselves into the hat for the next round.”

“Up the red badgers!!!“

It’s worth pointing out since the opening day defeat to Melton the Red Badgers have won all six of their home games scoring nine-teen goals. Aside from the Melton defeat the side has lost just once at home since January.

Player Watch: Goalkeeper Jack Myatt has kept two clean sheets in his last three outings. Last years top goal scorer Leam Howards is already of the mark this season with two goals in his opening twelve appearances of 2023/24.

Previous Meetings: For the second straight fixture Saturday’s game with Easington Sports will be a first for Eastwood CFC. The Oxfordshire based side compete in the South Division of the United Counties Football League and have never previously met Eastwood CFC.

Squad Update: Ryan Tait is awaiting a scan on his ankle to confirm how long the Midfielder will be out for, at the moment it is an estimated 4-6 weeks. Following his second half caution last Saturday Oliver Robinson will serve a one match suspension after picking up five yellow cards this season. Aaron O’Connor sits out the final game of his three match ban this weekend. Jack Messom, Jordan Knight and Ferdinand Bartley are all battling for a return to the squad with newest recruit Ben Gowing pushing to make his first start for the club in nearly four years. Lavell White remains out.

STAT ATTACK: The last time Eastwood won two League Cup ties in the same season was 2017, that season we exited the competition at the Quarter Final stage following a 1-0 loss away at eventual Cup winners Pinxton.

CUP NEWS

The Nottinghamshire Senior Cup Second Round tie against Kimberley Miners Welfare has now been confirmed that it will take place on Wednesday 18th October.

Saturday 7th October 2023
Sports Ground Development Knockout Trophy
Eastwood CFC vs Easington Sports
3pm Kick Off
Coronation Park, Chewton Street, Eastwood, Nottingham, NG16 3HB
Adults £7
Concessions £5
Under 16’s Free (with a paying adult)

#RedBadgers