We open the year with the visit of Hucknall Town to Coronation Park looking to avenge last season’s defeat. The gaffers are more than aware with Lincoln United taking on Bourne Town tomorrow, the Red Badgers have a chance to extend their lead at the top, to seven points with a win.

Martin Ball & Daryll Thomas’ side made it five successive wins in the league with a convincing 5-1 win at Melton Town last time out, the win was the biggest away win since the opening day of the season and only the third time Eastwood have scored five goals away from home at step 5. The three points also maintained the Red Badgers four point advantage at the top of the UCL Premier North table. Furthermore the victory bolstered the Red Badgers “goals for” tally now meaning no side has scored more goals away from home this season. It is a similar story at home with only Newark Town scoring more, and Bourne Town conceding less than the Red Badgers.

The visitors come into tomorrow’s game off the back of a disappointing Boxing Day defeat against bottom side Kimberley, prior to that Town had recorded impressive victories over Lincoln United and Melton Town under new bosses Tristan Whitman and Aaron Large. Away from home it is one win in nine for the yellows in the league with Town failing to keep a single clean sheet away from the Ariel Way Stadium this season.

Player Watch: Former Eastwood captain Aaron Short still leads the back line for Hucknall as he enters his sixth full season with the club, Short appeared 65 times for the Red Badgers scoring three goals captaining the club 60 times (more than any other player). Niall Towle has picked up where he left off last season, the big centre forward scored three goals in two appearances against Eastwood and has already bagged 19 goals in 29 appearances this time around. Another former Red to keep an eye on is midfielder Luis Parkes, the talented 24-year-old has started 23 of Hucknall’s 29 games this season only Niall Towle and Mazhi Simmons have started more.

Previous Meetings: In the reverse fixture in October second half goals from Tyler Blake and Declan Dunn (direct from a corner) earned the travelling Red Badgers all three points. In the 18 previous meetings the Red Badgers edge the head to head record:
Eastwood CFC wins 7
Draws 5
Hucknall Town wins 6

Last season’s win at Coronation Park was Town’s first on their fifth attempt, with Eastwood winning three of the previous four on home soil. There have been 19 different goal scorers for Eastwood in this fixture can you name them? Click here to play the quiz

Tyler Blake is one of them he has scored in the last two away games but is yet to score in the fixture at Coronation Park.

Squad Update: Aaron O’Connor could feature after being sidelined for the Melton Town win. Lynden Joyce and Toby Woodward will be battling for a place back in the matchday squad whilst Lavell White is hoping to make his first appearance since November. Billy Gillies could make his first start for the club after impressing last time out with a goal and an assist after coming off the bench for the final fourteen minutes at Melton.

Chairman Lee Wood has once again reduced the admission price for our only home game in January. Entry will be just £5 across the board with U16’s FREE as the club continues to encourage new faces to come and support the Red Badgers.

Saturday 4th January 2025
United Counties Premier North Division
Eastwood CFC vs Hucknall Town
3pm Kick Off
Coronation Park, Chewton Street, Eastwood, Nottingham, NG16 3HB
Adults £5 | Concessions £5 | One child FREE with each paying adult

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