THREE IN A ROW, POINTS THAT IS FOR EASTWOOD

EASTWOOD COMMUNITY FC 0 V SWANWICK PENTRICH ROAD 0
CENTRAL MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE SOUTH---20 DEC 3PM

MAIIN STAND AT CORONATION PARK WITH MR O ON THE PHONE

QUICK CUPPA FOR EASTWOOD SECRETARY
DEBS

This game of lookalike beach football, on a heavily sanded pitch, produced no goals but a valuable point for an ever improving Eastwood Community who have now collected three consecutive draws.  However the football was agricultural and route one in nature with Swanwick after a bright 20 minutes lowering their free flowing football too.  Having said that but for a man of the match performance from the home goalkeeper by Andrew Fretwell who pulled off at least five goal denying saves the form table with have won the day.
Its a few years since I have made a game at
Coronation Park home of former side Eastwood Town who sadly fell by the wayside and now its been left to a group of enthusiastic volunteers to start afresh in the town and thankfully the local council seem to have embraced their efforts.  After the ground circuit of photos which showed a little bit of wear and tear from the former clubs Conference North days it is still a good ground. 


LETS DANCE!

The downside is that the stand is positioned just slightly to one side of the dug outs and makes the front seven rows very restricted views, below this was an atcost stand which again was set too far back this has now been dismantled.  Behind both goals the terracing offers perfect views and opposite the main stand a small stand remains with to the bottom side a toilet block and new build turnstiles which were added to aid the former clubs efforts for promotion to Conference National.

MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN THE MAIN STAND PETES SNAPPING
AND MR O IS ON THE PHONE AGAIN

Overall it is and was always a very neat ground with a pitch now devoid of its once famous slope, while off in search of the teams from the referee it was nice to get into a little conversation by Eastwood Community secretary 'Debs' who was busy adapting to her new role this season but found time to offer a warm welcome.  A fairly healthy attendance of around 70 were willing on the bottom side to secure their first victory and I guess experienced manager Paul MacFarland will soon bring that about for the Nottinghamshire club.
It was good to meet up with a couple of other ground hoppers including Derbyshire based Pete who was snapping away with his superb continued interest in all things non-league.  The promotion that enthusiastic hoppers like Pete can give to clubs is worth its weight in gold because most hoppers will recommend clubs to visit or follow and often on their visit they will pop along to any available merchandise stall to make an additional purchase.

BEHIND THE GARDEN FENCE SWANWICK PENTRICH ROAD MANAGER KEV GRUNDY

Didn't go with the pies today but a chip cob which was a fair portion served in what looked like a Warburtons burger bun, food and drink was well served by the ladies and gentleman in the snack bar once again a vital role at all non-league clubs.
0-0 games are often dour and it has to be said this did not enliven my enthusiasm much but it was lovely to go back and see a club that are trying their best to now put Eastwood back on the football map again, nice to catch up with a few people and witness the 'shepherds sky at night' just before the full time whistle.


THE PERFECT END TO A GAME OF WINTER FOOTBALL