RED BADGERS IN WEBBS WONDERLAND

EASTWOOD COMMUNITY 3 GEDLING MW 2
EMCL @ CORONATION PARK
30 NOVEMBER 2019 --- 3PM

EASTWOOD COMMUNITY FC MAIN STAND READY FOR A LARGE CROWD TODAY

Eastwood Community rose to the top of the table when Joe Harrison got the winner seven minutes from the end on this enthralling encounter which featured the second and third placed clubs before the start of proceedings plus the leagues top goal scorers.
The usual Saturday morning version of Mike Reid's 'Runaround' was well under way only this time the wet stuff had relented, still not early enough for some pitches, and we were greeted with a sharp frost.  Late pitch inspections ensued and by the time these were about to take place spire town was enveloped in fog so one again the safety option was selected and I hunted out the Eastwood Community Fc season ticket, I probably should have one this was the fourth visit this year with grateful thanks to 3g.
As ever public transport suffered some delays but it was relatively trouble free arriving in time to sample the usual hoppers confectionery in the Red Badger bar which was starting to fill up, having gained the teams from the excellent secretary here the obligatory circuit was completed, mind you not much had changed since Wednesday night.

THE REFEREE IS WISE TO ASST REF FRANK WEBSTERS JOKE ELECTRIC SHOCK GLOVES

Gedling arrived in third spot and had looked impressive in my early season viewings of the club and Eastwood in second with both knowing a win today would see them at the top of the tree as December arrived.  Adding to the interest in Paddy Webb and Courtney Hastings both home team and visitors respectively have the top two scorers in the league.
Greetings were passed to Mr S of the 'on the road blog' and his video man Kev who were both in attendance after their allocated game fell foul to one of the three forms of weather lobbed at us today.  Assistant referee Nick Lees would make a return visit, this time on the dug out side, after Wednesday nights appearance and he would be joined by the ever youthful Frank Webster and a very patient Wayne Gray.  Patience was certainly the refs virtue today as its a few weeks since I have seen a side argue and dissent so many decisions and I guess non decisions not sure why Gedling adopted this approach when they are clearly a super little side.




The encounter got off to a superb start for Eastwood when Webb added to his seasons tally breaking away to fire past the out coming Keaton Sharpe as early as the fourth minute.  Shell shocked by this early strike Gedling levelled on the quarter of an hour mark home keeper George Warren pushed away a whipped in free kick it fell on the right edge of the box to Curtis Millward who fired back in an excellent first time strike that nestled in the back of the net before you could shout goal.  Gedling had powered their way into a lead on twenty two minutes when Luke Smith shot from the edge of the box his effort struck a home defender and looped up over a now stranded Warren.
It would be Eastwood who would continue to play their passing game which looked great but lacked any final outcome so often as Gedling looked bigger and stronger and at this stage more than comfortable with their role they were however grateful for two goal line clearances from Charlie Roberts as they went into the break ahead.

PADDY WEBB OF THE RED BADGERS CHALLENGES FOR THE BALL

The second half started with Eastwood getting the ball forward faster and not over playing on the carpet and their reward came on 69 minutes when Meakin crossed off the left and at the back post, you now who, Webb converted to level affairs.  Gedling were not done for and battled back with Hastings in an excellent position he let fly and rippled the netting, sadly for the Nottingham side it was the side netting.  Then with seven minutes left the ultimate comeback Meakin turned supplier again with his cross and this time Harrison stepped up to take the plaudits and send Eastwood to the top of the table.  In the closing stages Webb went close to his hat trick but Sharpe was just what his name says with an excellent save to deny the lively frontman.
A superb encounter that swung one way then another it was an excellent advert for the league and both sides on a day which saw so many games lost to the weather yet again now the challenge is on for Eastwood to remain top, this encounter was superbly supported by a crowd of 298.