SPRING DERBY

EASTWOOD COMMUNITY 2 KIMBERLEY MW 0

UCL PREMIER NORTH AT CORONATION PARK

13 APRIL 2024 --- 3PM

EASTWOOD COMMUNITY V KIMBERLEY MW SPRING DERBY

The A610 derby was a strange affair producing a 2-0 victory for Eastwood against their neighbours Kimberley MW but it was a game that although in the second half had the 'end of season' feel about it yet produced enough chances for three or four games.  So much so that Kimberley missed enough to have led at half time and in the end probably have won a collection of matches.

LYNDON JOYCE CLOSELY MARKED

Arrival was on time and a usual pre match Coop visit allowed for the provision collection because you see it was Saturday again and with a threat of some rain it meant a fourth trip to Eastwood in two weeks and I'm starting to get a feel for the place, don't tell anyone.

This derby encounter had seen the Red Badgers out of the play offs by a few weeks and Kimberley safe for another season at step five so with little to play for except local bragging rights.

As ever I was grateful to referee David Kennedy for the team line up and we were ready to go. 

TERRY ATEM GETS THE CONGRATULATIONS

Eastwood looked lively and indeed were two goals to the good within 27 minutes the first on fourteen minutes when Terry Atem whipped in a sharp cross that Josh Timpson deflected into his own goal trying to clear at the near post.  The Eastwood frontman could readily claim the second after Aaron O'Connor saw his edge of the box shot blocked away to Atem who cut inside and curled a lovely shot from 20 yards into the bottom corner of the visitors goal.  This seemed to wake up Kimberley who had a collection of chances in a ten minute spell that could easily have seen them at least level.

But seven minutes before half time Eastwood thought they had a third when the ball fell to the back post and Alex Troke converted with confidence.  There were then it seemed from nowhere shouts of handball in the build up and referee Kennedy consulted with his assistant Brett Hovey who had not flagged in the move and the decision was taken by the man in the middle to chalk off the goal.

ONLY ONE I CAPTURE OF COURSE  IS THE DISALLOWED ALEX TROKE GOAL

We arrived at half time with Eastwood looking the sharper and two goals to the good and with the chances missed by the visitors you got that feeling it was not to be their day something that would be further supported in the second forty five minutes.

ASSISTANT REFEREE HOVEY AND REFEREE KENNEDY RULE OUT GOAL NUMBER THREE

Just five minutes into the second half Kimberley were awarded a free kick twenty yards out and Tom Eccleshall stepped up and hit a beauty that was just not low enough as it came crashing back off the bar before in the follow up move the visitors hit the bar again with another effort.  At this stage you know its definitely not going to be your afternoon.

AARON O'CONNOR TAKES ON THE DEFENCE

The game appeared to disappear into a slumber now although it was Kimberley pushing for the goal the best chance fell five minutes from time to O'Connor who saw his diving header saved by Thomas Smith in the Kimberley goal.

On the final whistle Eastwood had the upper hand result wise on their neighbours as they closed their home 23/24 season but strangely Kimberley would have been disappointed with the result, it though came down to finishing and the threat of Terry Atem.

JACK MESSOM STOPS ON HIS FEET

There was time for a brief  'afters' from the aforementioned shop and a thanks to Eastwood Com Fc and their ground for providing a nice selection of games over the last few weeks of weather interrupted fixtures.

After the game Graham Furnell the Kimberley MW manager announced he was to stand down.  A big blow for the The Stag ground side where he has overseen their superb success of recent seasons, big shoes to fill.

EASTWOOD JOINT MANAGER DARYLL THOMAS

Usual cheeky taxi return saw arrival back at base within thirty minutes of pick up and an enjoyable afternoon at the footy was once again completed.

EASTWOOD NUMBER ONE SAM WILSON