Lions maul Badgers

The Lions earned their first win in over a month win a confident display at local rivals Eastwood Community.

Jordan Ball gave Heanor the lead in the twentieth minute when he collected a low cross from the right, flicked the ball in the air and volleyed past the ‘keeper at his near post.

There was not much else in the first half to shout about, but Ben Cartwright had to be alert at the back post to clear Jack Allen’s header off the line.
Heanor started to assert dominance in the second and the lively Devante Reittie caused problems for the Red Badgers all afternoon and nearly grabbed a debut goal when his shot flashed across the face of goal.

Jesse Vowles and Kyle Daley both went close before Reittie doubled the advantage.

The ball rebounded to him on the edge of the penalty area and his low effort beat the ‘keeper and found the bottom corner of the net.

The game turned sour shortly after the hour mark. Lions skipper Daniel Chatfield jumped for a header and landed awkwardly. Concern was growing as he lay in a great deal of pain on the turf. After seven minutes, he was carried off the pitch and proceeded to the dressing room. After the game it was revealed Chatfield had dislocated his knee and would likely miss the rest of the season.

Once the game was restarted Heanor kept up the pace. Jordan Ball’s stunning volley from 20 yards sealed victory before Keiran Knight was afforded time to pull a consolation goal back for Eastwood late on.