Something of a surprise as the "Snipes" sent the holders crashing out of the competition that they have dominated for the past few years ....
So, Notts F.A. Senior Cup time again, and although we were hoping to see the Clipstone v Linby tie, after that was lost to the weather, we opted for a visit to Eastwood. It was good to be back at Coronation Park again - a lot of the great and the good of the Nottinghamshire non-league game were in attendance, far too many to name individual names.
Eastwood are struggling at the foot of the Northern Premier League Premier Division, whilst opponents Sutton Town AFC are among the contenders for promotion from the Central Midlands South Division.
The first half was a frenetic affair, with both teams seemingly unwilling to slow play down and add a little sophistication to the action.
On another night, Eastwood could have had 4 or 5 goals in the first period alone, but visiting keeper Gavin Saxby was on top form and kept out everything that was thrown at him. Sutton had their fair share of the game, but it was Saxby's performance that caught the eye. H-T 0-0
The Snipes took the lead within seven minutes of the restart, a well struck low drive from ANDY WHITE nestling in the back of the Eastwood net, after the home defence could only clear to the edge of the box where the former Stags' favourite was loitering with intent.
Sutton weathered the storm as Eastwood strove for the equaliser, but with just two minutes left to play we were plunged into the additional half hour when GREG SMITH nodded home a left wing cross from close range. F-T 1-1
The first period of extra-time saw Eastwood again on the offensive, although Sutton did create a couple of decent chances. H- T E-T 1-1
The home team were rocked in the 2nd minute of the second period of extra-time when their former favourite JAMES WHITEHEAD rose like a salmon to loop a header over keeper Richard Stainsby. We have seem "Topps" play hundreds of times, and he has scored his share of goals from his regular right back slot, but I cannot ever remember him scoring a goal with a header!
Eastwood then piled on more pressure as you would expect, but Saxby was having none of it, and when a Badgers attack broke down in the 119th minute, Craig Mitchell raced toward the area before crossing straight into the path of on-rushing RICHARD GUEST who calmly side-footed home from 10 yards. F-T E-T 1-3.
Excellent performance from Referee Andy Dallison - we've seen Andy on numerous occasions and he rarely has a bad 'un...!
Admission £5
Programme -sadly absent
Attendance 81
Team sheet courtesy of Samantha Demetriou
Admission £5
Programme -sadly absent
Attendance 81
Team sheet courtesy of Samantha Demetriou
