Eastwood Town: From The Bottom, To The Top

Eastwood Town Season 4 – League 2 (again)
The fourth season should be a lot happier than the last season. With the club stature increased thanks to myself keeping the club in the league, we should be able to attract higher calibre players to compete at the right end of the table



Season 3 target – ATTEMPT TO GET A PLAYOFF SPOT
Transfer Budget - £0
Wage Budget - £16.14k per week
I have received more than double last season’s wage budget. I am going to try to keep most of the same players as backup while I get some better replacements in.

Transfers
In
Kuagica Bondo (DC) – Rochdale – Free
Lee Bell (DM/MC) – Stevenage – Free
Dominic Green (AML/ST) – Dag & Red – Free
Stacy Long (AMRLC) – Doncaster – Free
Chez Isaac (MC) – Dover – Free
Javan Vidal (DR) – Free
Cauley Woodrow (ST) – Free
David October (DL) – Free
Aiden Chainey (DC) – Free
Danny Rose (ST) – Barnsley – Loan
I have definitely used my wage budget to good effect here, managed to sign some pretty good players for this league for free. Still have some wages left over, but I might keep them in reserve until I pick up a few injures.

Out
Gavin Caines – Free
Ashley Cain – Free
Jamil Adam - Free

Preseason
Cambridge City 0 – 1 Eastwood Town
Eastwood Town 1 – 3 Everton Reserves
Gainsborough Trinity 0 – 6 Eastwood Town
Braintree Town 2 – 4 Eastwood Town
Eastwood Town 0 – 3 Everton
Managed to score a few goals in pre-season with a host of new players. Quietly optimistic that we can achieve my target. With the right results we could even upset the apple-cart and challenge for the league.

August
Gateshead 2 – 3 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Cauley Woodrow 19’
Kuagica Bondo 66’
Tresor Kandol 85’
Martin Stocklasa (Gateshead)
The Badgers kicked off their second season in League 2 with an away trip to play-off semi-finalists Gateshead. Fielding 10 new players, Eastwood put in a mixed performance that showed a lot of potential but the team needs to gel more. Cauley Woodrow scored his first professional goal with a good finish early in the first half. In the second half, Eastwood had the better chances and took a deserved 3 points.

Eastwood Town 3 – 2 Stevenage Borough (HT: 0 – 1) League Cup 1st Round
Danny Rose 55’ 73’
Cauley Woodrow 83’
Danny Rose
Eastwood Town hosted League 1 Stevenage in the first round of the League Cup. Eastwood matched their opponents for most of the game and managed to score a famous victory, however the defence still needs work.

League Cup Draw – Eastwood Town will travel to Ashton Gate to play Bristol City in the second round.

Eastwood Town 1 – 1 Rochdale (HT: 0 – 1)
Cauley Woodrow 57’
Nicky Adams (Rochdale)
Coronation Park’s first league game of the season was against recently-relegated Rochdale. Rochdale had the better of the first half and went into the break ahead. However, the Badgers hit back and Cauley Woodrow continued his good form with another goal to take a point.

Rotherham United 1 – 0 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 0)
Dale Bennett (Rotherham)
Rotherham inflicted the first league defeat on the Badgers with a hard-working performance. Eastwood had their chances but should not be too disappointed with their performance.

Eastwood Town 3 – 3 Bristol Rovers (HT: 3 – 1)
Tresor Kandol 17’ pen 28’
Danny Rose 31’
Lee Brown (Bristol Rovers)
Coronation Park hosted another high-scoring affair when Eastwood Town drew with Bristol Rovers. The Badgers had a deserved 3 -1 lead at half-time but bad defending let Rovers back into it and a late equaliser earned them a point.

Transfer News – Eastwood Town sign Osayamen Osawe (ST) on a season-long loan from Norwich

Bristol City 3 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 0) League Cup 2nd Round
Chez Isaac 49’
John Sullivan OG 73’
Robert Cullen (Bristol City)
Eastwood Town travelled to Bristol for their first ever second round tie in the League Cup. After a goalless first half, the second half was much more exciting. The Badgers took the lead early in the half through Chez Isaac before Bristol Rovers got 2 goals back. An error by John Sullivan gave the Badgers hope but as the game was heading towards extra time, Robert Cullen scored a late winner.

Morecambe 1 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Stacy Long 36’
Matt Pearson OG 76’
Kuagica Bondo
A great defensive performance saw Eastwood Town pick up three points away to Morecambe. After the Shrimpers took the lead, Stacy Long scored his first Eastwood goal to send the Badgers in level. In the second half it was Morecambe who had the better of the chances, but an error by Matt Pearson gave the Badgers all three points.

JPT Draw – Eastwood will be away to Chesterfield in the North 1st Round.

League Table:

Eastwood Town 15th with 8 points

League Cup: Lost in second round (v Bristol City)
JPT: North 1st Round - Vs Chesterfield (A)

September
Chesterfield 1 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 1) JPT North 1st Round
Chez Isaac 36’
Thomas Lyskov 80’
Thomas Lyskov
Eastwood Town once again faced higher league opposition in the cup, this time is was away to Chesterfield. The Badgers put in a good first half performance to go in one nil up at half time. Chesterfield managed to level affairs but Thomas Lyskov scored from a corner to set up the Badgers for another cup run.

JPT Draw: Eastwood Town will be at home to local rivals Notts County in the 2nd round.

Eastwood Town 1 – 1 Gillingham (HT: 0 – 0)
Thomas Lyskov 90+1’
Jemal Johnson (Gillingham)
Back in the league, Eastwood Town took on Gillingham. With the game looking to be heading for a bore draw, Gillingham took the lead with 10 minutes to go before Thomas Lyskov scored a very long range leveller to give the Badgers another point.

Burton Albion 3 – 4 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Aidan Chainey 35’
Mark Duffy 50’
Kuagica Bondo 73’
Stacy Long 77’
Mark Duffy
Eastwood were once again involved in a high-scoring game as the Badgers manager decided to disregard defensive problems and just make sure they score one more then the opponents. After an even first half that ended one-all, the second half became a free scoring affair with Eastwood coming out on top and grabbing all three points

AFC Wimbledon 1 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Mark Duffy 22’
Ryan Edwards (AFC Wimbledon)
The Badgers travelled to London to face AFC Wimbledon, with the Badgers in good form in the League. After a first half were 2 goals were scored in quick succession, the game fizzled out to a draw.

Eastwood Town 2 – 1 Plymouth Argyle (HT: 1 – 0)
Cauley Woodrow 37’
Tresor Kandol 59’
James Gilpin
Coronation Park hosted a good performance by the Badgers as they eased past Plymouth. Cauley Woodrow scored a neat finish to give Eastwood the lead at half-time. Tresor Kandol doubled their advantage in the second before Argyle grabbed a consolation goal.

Eastwood Town 2 – 1 Walsall (HT: 1 – 0)
Cauley Woodrow 14’ 87’
Cauley Woodrow
Eastwood Town played a carbon-copy of the previous game when the hosted Walsall. The Badgers controlled the game and two goals by young striker Cauley Woodrow gave Eastwood all three points.

Eastwood Town 1 – 0 Hartlepool United (HT: 1 – 0)
Tresor Kandol pen 7’
Evan Horwood (Hartlepool)
With an injury to first-team keeper James Gilpin, youth product Andy Buxton made a debut between the sticks and kept Eastwood’s first clean sheet of the campaign. Tresor Kandol got the winner from the penalty spot in a game of few chances. Hartlepool’s captain was man of the match for reasons unknown!

League Table:

Eastwood Town 4th with 22 points - one point off top!

League Cup: Lost in second round (v Bristol City)
JPT: North 2nd Round - Vs Notts County (H)

October
Transfer News – Eastwood Town sign Alex Cairns on a free as backup to James Gilpin

Fleetwood Town 1 – 4 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 1)
Aidan Chainey 45’ 74’
Cauley Woodrow 53’
Mark Duffy 69’
Aidan Chainey
Eastwood Town travelled to Fleetwood Stadium and after an even first half, they went into the break one up through Aidan Chainey’s goal. In the second-half however, the Badgers put on a masterclass and smashed Fleetwood to win 4 – 1

Eastwood Town 1 – 0 Notts County (HT: 1 – 0) JPT North 2nd Round
Tresor Kandol 36’
Stacy Long injured (Strained ankle – 5 weeks)
Coronation Park was packed to the rafters as they welcomed their more famous rivals Notts County in a cup game. The Badgers were deserved winners that could signify that Eastwood could move ahead of County as the 2nd best team in Nottinghamshire. The only black mark on the game was the injury to Stacy Long.

JPT Draw – Eastwood will host Walsall in the North quarter-final.

Eastwood Town 1 – 1 Northampton Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Cauley Woodrow 3’
Javan Vidal
Returning to the league, Eastwood Town picked up a good point at home to Northampton. All the goals came in the first half as they shared the spoils.

Cambridge United 1 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 1)
Cauley Woodrow 45+1’ 47’
Javan Vidal 87’
Cauley Woodrow
Eastwood Town returned from Cambridge with all three points as Cauley Woodrow bagged a brace either side of half-time. Javan Vidal got himself sent off for a second bookable offence to set up a tense finale but the Badgers held out.

Eastwood Town 2 – 2 Bradford City (HT: 0 – 1)
Cauley Woodrow 49’
Aidan Chainey 72’
Mark Stewart (Bradford)
The Badgers managed to salvage a point after a close game with Bradford. The Bantams dominated the first half and went into the break with a deserved lead. Eastwood Town put in a much improved performance in the second half to take a point.

Transfer News - Eastwood sign exciting striker Akwasi Asante on a free.

Eastwood Town 1 – 0 Barnet (HT: 0 – 0)
Tresor Kandol pen 74’
Kuagica Bondo
Eastwood Town put in a good home performance to continue their unbeaten run with a narrow victory over Barnet. Veteran striker Tresor Kanol scored a late penalty to give them all three points, despite being on the sidelines since the arrival of new young charges, Kandol still pops up with important goals.

League Table

Eastwood Town 2nd with 33 points - 3 behind leaders Rotherham

League Cup: Lost in second round (v Bristol City)
JPT: North Qtr Final - Vs Walsall (H)

November
Torquay United 1 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 1)
Mark Duffy 34’
Cauley Woodrow 52’
Thomas Lyskov
November started with a routine win against under-performing Torquay. Eastwood were good value for their half time lead. Torquay equalised early in the second half but the result was never in doubt as Cauley Woodrow scored a real poacher’s effort for the victory.

Luton Town 0 – 0 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 0)
Keith Keane (Luton)
Kenilworth Road hosted a dull affair between 2 teams going well in the league. The points were shared in a match that was not one for the purists with not many chances.

Eastwood Town 4 – 2 Walsall (HT: 2 – 0) JPT North Quarter Final
Akwasi Asante 31’
Tresor Kandol 38’ 71’
David October 73’
Mark Duffy
Eastwood Town continued their great cup run with a smashing win against Walsall. Akwasi Asante opened his account for the club with a neat finish and despite conceding two goals; the match was all about how many chances the Badgers were creating.

JPT Draw – Eastwood will be at home to Doncaster Rover in the North semi-final

Eastwood Town 2 – 1 Alfreton Town (HT: 2 – 1) FA Cup 1st Round
Kuagica Bondo 33’
Danny Rose 37’
Mark Duffy
Eastwood Town renewed their local rivalry with Alfreton in the 1st round of the FA Cup. Despite going a goal behind early, the Badgers fought back to win 2 – 1.

FA Cup Draw – Eastwood Town will be at home to League One Macclesfield in the 2nd round

Eastwood Town 3 – 1 Grimsby (HT: 3 – 1)
Akwasi Asante 6’ 10’ 45+1’
Stacy Long injured (Strained knee ligaments – 7 weeks)
David October injured (Hip injury – 2 months)
Akwasi Asante
Back in the league, Coronation Park hosted Grimsby. Akwasi Asante scored a great first half hat-trick to take all three points, but a few injuries may haunt the Badgers in future weeks.

Eastwood Town 4 – 1 Macclesfield Town (HT: 4 – 1) FA Cup 2nd Round
Cauley Woodrow 3’
Akwasi Asante pen 15’
Dominic Green 20’
Mark Duffy 23’
Mark Duffy
Eastwood Town continued their cup run by taking another League One scalp. The Badgers knocked 4 past the Silkmen in the first 25 minutes and never looked back.

FA Cup Draw – Eastwood Town will be away to Championship side Colchester in the 3rd round

League Table:

Eastwood Town 2nd with 40 points - 1 behind leaders Rotherham

FA Cup: Third Round - Vs Colchester (A)
League Cup: Lost in second round (v Bristol City)
JPT: North Semi-Final - Vs Doncaster (H)

loving the story what is youre board confidence ?

December
Eastwood Town 1 – 1 Doncaster Rovers (HT: 1 – 1) JPT North Semi-Final
Doncaster win 4 – 3 on penalties.
Akwasi Asante pen 5’
Sheku Hutchings (Doncaster)
Eastwood Town welcomed Doncaster to Coronation Park and the Badgers pretty much played Rovers off the field. Doncaster managed to strike back after Akwasi Asante’s opener with a lucky equaliser, but it was Eastwood who had all the chances but could not convert. In the end, it was the lottery of the penalty shoot-out, the Badgers had a penalty to win it but missed and Doncaster go through.

Oxford United 2 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 2)
Akwasi Asante 24’ 40’
Akwasi Asante
Back in the league, the Badgers travelled to the Kassam Stadium. Oxford took an early lead but Akwasi Asante continued his goal scoring form with 2 more goals before half time. Oxford managed to score an equaliser midway through the second half to snatch a point.

Eastwood Town 2 – 0 Carlisle United (HT: 2 – 0)
Akwasi Asante 23’ 43’
Thomas Lyskov
Recently relegated Carlisle were the visitors on a horrible winter’s day. Luckily the Badgers cheered their fans up with a thumping win that could even afford Akwasi Asante to miss a penalty!

Cheltenham Town 0 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 1)
James Yeboah OG 10’
Dominic Green 66’
Thomas Lyskov
Eastwood Town visited Cheltenham on their best run for a few years. Cheltenham didn’t put up much of a fight to change that and the Badgers recorded a deserved win.

Eastwood Town 5 – 0 Accrington Stanley (HT: 3 – 0)
Akwasi Asante pen 23’ 41’
Cauley Woodrow 45+1’ 64’ pen 76’
Cauley Woodrow
Eastwood Town gave their fans the perfect late christams present as they thumped Accrington at home. Both mainline strikers grabbed a brace before an argument flared up about who would take a penalty that would give either player a hat-trick. Cauley Woodrow won the resulting game of rock, paper, scissors and completed a hat-trick.

Rochdale 1 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 1)
Cauley Woodrow 11’
Akwasi Asante 90+1’
Akwasi Asante
The last game of 2014 saw the Badgers record a good victory away at Rochdale. In form strikers Cauley Woodrow and Akwasi Asante grabbed a goal each before Rochdale scored a late consolation goal.

League Table:

Eastwood Town joint top with 51 points

FA Cup: Third Round - Vs Colchester (A)
League Cup: Lost in second round (v Bristol City)
JPT: Lost in North Semi-Final (v Doncaster)

nash1981: The board pretty much treat me as a god, I'm over spending on my wages but they don't mind with the results I get!

i bet keep it up also loving the story layout

January
Colchester United 1 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 1) FA Cup 3rd Round
Dominic Green 6’
Leigh Griffiths (Colchester)
Eastwood travelled to Colchester for the third round of the cup and managed to give an even game to their superior opponents. Dominic Green got the Badgers off to a flyer but Colchester fought back to go through.

Eastwood Town 3 – 1 Rotherham United (HT: 1 – 1)
Mark Duffy 16’ 46’ 86’
Mark Duffy
Coronation Park hosted a title decider between the two top teams in League Two. Despite being billed as a close game, the Badgers dominated affairs and a hat-trick by winger Mark Duffy ensured they picked up all three points.

Eastwood Town 2 – 2 Gateshead (HT: 0 – 2)
Tresor Kandol 56’
Stacy Long 77’
Elliot Chamberlain (Gateshead)
Eastwood almost saw their unbeaten run evaporate as Gateshead raced into a two-goal lead at half-time. Some stern words from the manager at half-time and Eastwood fought back to gain to a point.

Bristol Rovers 3 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Tresor Kandol 23’
Kelvin Etuhu (Bristol Rovers)
Eastwood Town’s unbeaten run ended after a battling performance. An even game ended up being a victory for the Gas as the Badger’s momentum comes to an end.

Eastwood Town 2 – 1 Morecambe (HT: 1 – 1)
Akwasi Asante 35’
Cauley Woodrow 66’
Cauley Woodrow
The Badgers rediscovered their form with a good win over Morecambe. Both frontline strikers hit to give Eastwood all three points.

Transfer News – Eastwood sign Manchester United’s Mats Daehli (MC/AMC) on a 3 month loan

Gillingham 3 – 3 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 0)
Cauley Woodrow 48’ 78’
Mark Duffy 53’
Michael Ngoo (Gillingham)
Eastwood Town travelled to Gillingham and played out a very entertaining draw. Gillingham had the better of the first half. But once again, words from manager Craig Chaplin encouraged the Badgers to a much better second-half performance and should have won it if not for a late equaliser

League Table:

Eastwood are joint top with 61 points

FA Cup: Lost in 3rd Round (v Colchester)
League Cup: Lost in second round (v Bristol City)
JPT: Lost in North Semi-Final (v Doncaster)

February
Plymouth Argyle 2 – 3 Eastwood Town (HT: 2 – 1)
Cauley Woodrow 36’
Akwasi Asante 61’ 80’
Akwasi Asante
Eastwood travelled down to Plymouth and managed to score a smash and grab victory. Despite being on the back foot for most of the match, the Badgers showed the mark of champions to win when they don’t play well.

Walsall 0 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 0)
Dominic Green 90’
Cauley Woodrow injured (Strained knee ligaments – 7 weeks)
Aidan Chainey
The Badgers played an even game against play-off hopefuls Walsall. A serious injury to Cauley Woodrow took the gloss of a decent victory with Dominic Green grabbing a late winner.

Eastwood Town 0 – 0 AFC Wimbledon (HT: 0 – 0)
Alex Cairns
Coronation Park hosted a bore draw between two evenly-matched teams. Chances were few and far between and it was no surprise the outcome was a draw.

Hartlepool United 1 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 0)
Akwasi Asante 49’ 85’
Akwasi Asante
Eastwood Town travelled to the north-east to play Hartlepool. After an even first half, the game sprung to life in the second period; a brace from Akwasi Asante was enough to seal the win.

League Table:

Eastwood Town 2nd - One point off top with a game in hand

FA Cup: Lost in 3rd Round (v Colchester)
League Cup: Lost in second round (v Bristol City)
JPT: Lost in North Semi-Final (v Doncaster)

March
Eastwood Town 3 – 0 Burton Albion (HT: 2 – 0)
Dominic Green 10’ 25’
Akwasi Asante 58’
Dominic Green
The build-up to this game was overshadowed by Burton manager Paul Peschisolido’s disparaging remarks towards Eastwood. The Badgers made him eat his words with a thumping three-nil win as he endured the chants of the home fans.

Eastwood Town 4 – 2 Fleetwood Town (HT: 3 – 0)
Stacy Long 8’
Akwasi Asante 9’ 18’
Paul Lorraine 88’
Akwasi Asante
The Badgers put in another dominant performance when the brushed past Fleetwood at home. With the game mostly won before half-time, the Badgers could afford to rest some legs and still register 3 points.

Injury News – Akwasi Asante pulled his hamstring and will be out for 4 weeks

Northampton Town 3 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Tresor Kandol 35’
Dominic Green 58’
Elliot Brooks (Northampton)
With their 2 main strikers injured, Eastwood Town headed into a tough away game hoping for a point. They almost got that point before the Cobblers scored a late winner to delight their fans.

Eastwood Town 2 – 1 Cambridge United (HT: 1 – 1)
Paul Lorraine 23’
Dominic Green 54’
Luke Berry (Cambridge)
The Badgers produced a gritty performance to beat Cambridge. With their side plagued with a few injures, Eastwood had to dig deep to win the game and get another three points.

Bradford City 1 – 4 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 2)
Tresor Kandol 29’ 34’
Stacy Long 51’ 54’
Stacy Long
Eastwood Town travelled to Valley Parade in good form, and carried it on with a big win over Bradford. Veteran striker Tresor Kandol stepping up with an important brace to set the Badgers on their way to three points.

Eastwood Town 3 – 0 Torquay United (HT: 1 – 0)
Tresor Kandol 12’ 83’
Danny Rose 77’
Lee Bell 88’
Tresor Kandol
Eastwood continued their relentless charge towards promotion with a good win at home to Torquay. Tresor Kandol once again put in a good performance to give the Badgers three vital points

Eastwood Town 1 – 2 Luton Town (HT: 1 - 1)
Aidan Chainey 24’
Jake Howells (Luton)
Eastwood Town hosted this promotion battle on the back of a heavy fixture list and those tired legs showed as they went down to a defeat. Eastwood Town guaranteed a playoff spot regardless.

League Table

Eastwood Town are 6 points clear at the top

FA Cup: Lost in 3rd Round (v Colchester)
League Cup: Lost in second round (v Bristol City)
JPT: Lost in North Semi-Final (v Doncaster)

April
Barnet 1 – 4 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 2)
Akwasi Asante 3’ 12’ 90+2’
Stacy Long 74’
Akwasi Asante
Eastwood Town welcomed back Akwasi Asante from injury as they travelled to Barnet. Despite lacking match fitness he managed to score a hat-trick to send the Badgers fans back up to Nottingham with three points.

Grimsby Town 2 – 0 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 0)
Ben Sayer (Grimsby)
The Badgers travelled to Cleethorpes but did not have a good time by the seaside as they went down 2 nil to a hard-working Grimsby team. With not long to go to the end of the season, Eastwood need to pick up the points necessary to win the league.

Eastwood Town 1 – 2 Oxford United (HT: 0 – 1)
Mats Daehli 84’
Paul Lorraine 22’
Dominic Green
With the title in sight, Eastwood decided to make the drama prolong an extra few weeks as they lost to Oxford. Paul Lorraine received an early shower for a horror challenge early in the first half and Eastwood just could not recover.

Carlisle 1 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 1)
Akwasi Asante 17’ 67’
Akwasi Asante
Eastwood Town put their bad form behind them with a good win away at Carlisle. Akwasi Asante continued his good season with a brace to propel the Badgers within touching distance of the title.

Eastwood Town 2 – 1 Cheltenham Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Stacy Long 44’
Cauley Woodrow 72’
Aidan Chainey 79’
Stacy Long
The last home game of the season once again hosted excitement as the Badgers came from behind to beat Cheltenham. Cauley Woodrow scored the winner that means that if Eastwood avoid defeat in the last game, the title is theirs.

May
Accrington Stanley 1 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 0)
Stacy Long 53’ 60’
Stacy Long
Eastwood Town knew that a point would guarantee them the title, but they decided to do things the hard way by going down a goal early on. At half-time, manager Craig Chaplin told them to buck their ideas up if they wanted to win the league and it worked; Stacy Long grabbing a quick-fire double to add the League 2 crown to Eastwood’s trophy cabinet and make it 3 promotions in 4 years.

Final League Table:

Eastwood Town finish on 98 points, winning the league by 3 points from Luton.

FA Cup: Lost in 3rd Round (v Colchester)
League Cup: Lost in second round (v Bristol City)
JPT: Lost in North Semi-Final (v Doncaster)