UP NEXT, Kimberley Miners Welfare welcome their near neighbours in what has been dubbed “The Ikea Derby”. Table toppers, Eastwood CFC come to The Stag Ground as they bid to maintain their grip on top spot in the league. Kimberley go into the match with a hope of continuing their improvement over recent weeks to give themselves a chance of rescuing themselves. They are, however, fully aware of how great the task is this weekend.

Eastwood CFC will make the short trip to Kimberley full of confidence, having already won the first meeting between the two sides this season. Having had their last two matches postponed due to the weather, Eastwood will been keen to make up for their loss to relegation-threatened Hucknall Town on the opening weekend of 2025.

On Boxing Day, Kimberley welcomed local rivals, Hucknall Town to the Stag Ground. In a match of very few chances, Kimberley were the better of the two teams and dominated the possession. The pressure paid off as, with twenty minutes remaining, Aaron Coyle scored a second headed goal in two matches to give Kimberley only their second league win of the season.

Eastwood CFC’s last match was also against lowly Hucknall Town as they visited Coronation Park on the 4th of January. With the scores level at 0–0 at half time, the game sprung into life in the second half. Niall Towle scored twice, along with a goal from Ethan Hulley to give Hucknall an unlikely 3-1 win as Terry Hawkridge scored Eastwood’s only goal of the game.

LAST TIME AROUND

The two sides met in mid August at Coronation Park. In a fairly even first half, Alex Troke netted mid half for Eastwood. Kimberley would go into half time feeling hard done to having created the better chances in the half and were unlucky not to go into the break ahead. The second half, however, was an all too familiar story. Having done so well in the first half, Kimberley suffered several defensive lapses, along with Eastwood stepping things up. Troke scored his second midway through the half, with Craig Westcarr scoring just two minutes later. Tyler Blake scored with eight minutes to go for the match to finish 4-0 to Eastwood.

The two sides met four times last season. Most recently, in April, with Eastwood taking the points through a brace from Terry Atem

The sides met earlier in the season in the Nottinghamshire Cup, again at Eastwood. Atem scored again, along with Marcus Marshall and Derek O’Connor for a 3-0 win to the Red Badgers.

The earlier league fixture at the Stag took place at the end of August last year. Eastwood, again took the result through a 96th minute winner from Kyle Tomlin for the only goal of the game.

The first time the sides met last season was in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, again at Coronation Park. Tomlin again scored for Eastwood, along with a brace from O’Connor. This time, Kimberley were able to score through Aaron Coyle, which equalised at the time, but Eastwood went on to score twice more, to take the result.

A LITTLE ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

The club was formed in 2014 following the folding of Eastwood Town. They joined the South Division of the Central Midlands League and entered the FA Vase for the first time a year later. After finishing as runners-up in the South Division in 2016–17, the club won the division the following season and were promoted to the East Midlands Counties League.

In 2021 Eastwood were promoted to the Premier Division North of the United Counties League based on their results in the abandoned 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons.

The club's nickname is the Red Badgers.

Honours
Central Midlands League - South Division champions 2017–18

FINALLY

Both sides will head into the game in search of victory. Kimberley will want to put in a performance for the points. Having taken all three points in their last outing, the feeling is that the corner is about to be turned. This Tuesday night will be a huge challenge, but what better team to put in a great performance against. Eastwood will want both the bragging rights and the points as they continue their charge to step four.

Please get along to support the boys

Kick off will be at 19:45

Admission prices are as follows
Adults £7
Concessions £4

The bar will be open