By John Walsh

Published at 08:57, Saturday, 28 November 2009

EASTWOOD Town’s FA Trophy exit to Nantwich perfectly sums up their problems and highlights the need for fresh faces, says boss Paul Cox.

The Badgers were beaten 3-0 on their home patch by the UniBond Premier Division outfit in one of the surprises of the third qualifying round.

The shock came off the back of some encouraging league performances by Eastwood, who are second in the Blue Square North.

Cox is now desperate to bring in two new faces ahead of tomorrow’s league trip to Workington.

“It is exactly what has happened all season with the lack of consistency – we were not at our best at both ends, to put it mildly,” he said.

“We defended like schoolboys and we didn’t finish our chances off at the other end.

“In those kind of conditions, you have to handle them and we didn’t do that at all well, while Nantwich did.

“I think we are starting to get somewhere after a couple of good wins, particularly at Blyth Spartans, and then it’s back to the drawing board.

“It was a turn-up, but give credit to Nantwich because they thoroughly deserved their win. We may be second in the table, but our in-and-out form has seen us exit both cups early.

“The players have had their chances and now they can expect changes. There are a few in the comfort zone.

“I think there are one or two who do not have enough pressure on them to perform and they think they can have an off-day.”

Eastwood had offered to stage the game and reverse the scheduled fixture in March but the Workinton club was keen to stress that the town was open for business and getting back to normal after the disastrous floods last week-end, ao elected to go ahead at Borough Park.

Manager Darren Edmondson said: “Some times, after what the towns people have been through it’s useful to give them something to take their minds off it and 90 minutes of football might help.”

Edmondson has one real concern in his squad - striker Dan Shannon has an ankle injury and rated doubtful.

Dave Hewson is expected to continue his rehablitation with another game in the Northern Alliance for Harraby Catholic Club while Stephen Hindmarch has taken part in the last three training sessions and will be warming-up with the team tomorrow.

"We are not trying to rush him because he's had a long time out of the game and it's still a gradual process for him," said Edmondson.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk