Wednesday 6th May 2009

Eastwood Badgers 1-2 Retford Badgers -- Notts F.A. Senior Cup Final

Notts F.A's flagship final was played yet again at the Meadow Lane home of Notts County - not the best playing surface you will see locally, but the teams overcame the poor pitch and played out a really entertaining final.

Eastwood fielded a very strong line-up, while Retford were missing marksman Mick Godber and regular keeper Ross Turner.

Eastwood's keeper Ian Deakin made four of five superb stops as Retford showed their opponents how to play football. If this is what the Retford fans watch every week, they must be among some of the happiest fans in the non-league scene. Marvelous stuff, and one save in particular from a Paul Grimes header was well worth the £5 entry fee. H-T 0-0

Eastwood took the lead on 53 - Lindon Meikle's drive was fumbled by Retford stopper Chris Kingston and IAN HOLMES was on hand at the far post to tap in.

Both teams continued to provide entertaining football, and Retford were rewarded for their attacking play on 84 when BEN CHAMBERS tapped in after Deakin had pulled off yet another superb save.

With 3 of the 4 minutes of added time played we were settling for extra time - but it was not to be. A ball played to the right wing, a neat bit of control, a great cross and a fantastic drive from the edge of the box from STUART LUDLAM that flew past Deakin.........great goal, but with the Eastwood players appealing for an offside that never came, the old saying "play to the whistle" came to mind. As soon as Eastwood restarted the game, Referee Mick Leslie blew for full time. F-T 1-2

Man of the match ( voted for by the match officials) : Eastwood keeper Ian Deakin

Link to Evening Post article

Admission £5

Programme - not the usual ten-bob effort - this was proper even though it was £2

Attendance - n/k

Tea/coffee - didn't bother.

Chips -- I like Notts County's chips, but they were not available today!!!!!!!

Saturday -- CMLS top of the table clash - Radcliffe Oly v Forest Town.