Eastside Athletic 1-3 Lonsdale

Eastside Athletic suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Lonsdale, a result that came off the back of contrasting form for the two sides — Eastside arriving on the back of their first-ever league win against Barking Colts, Lonsdale having shipped nine at home to Young Royals the previous weekend.

Travelling squad: Lewis Kinnie (GK), Alfie Mason (C), Bruno Da Fonseca, Prince Bansende, Mason Talbot, Owen Oakford, Finley Morrison, Richard Agu, Jack Hobbs, Tobi Omotosho, Danny Fenn, Mason Active, Pierre Przezdziecki, Alfie Stacey, Logan Hossack, Bobby Goodall.

With Player/Manager Bailey Hossack absent, Chairman Francis Hastings stepped in to take charge for the day. In hindsight, it was clear Lonsdale were taken too lightly on the back of that heavy defeat to Young Royals — a result that, without context, didn’t tell the full story.

Lonsdale started the brighter side, testing goalkeeper Lewis Kinnie on multiple occasions and rattling the crossbar with a rocket of a free-kick. The breakthrough came soon after, Lonsdale profiting from a high Eastside defensive line to make it 1-0.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Danny Fenn produced a moment of magic, curling one in directly from a corner to level things up heading into the break. His second goal of the season.

Eastside started to build some momentum in the second half, only for Lonsdale to strike completely against the run of play and restore their lead at 2-1. It proved a hammer blow to Eastside’s momentum, as Lonsdale made it 3-1 not long after. A late penalty offered a route back into the game, but captain Alfie Mason’s effort was saved.

Full credit to Lonsdale on the result. Lessons learned for a young club still finding its way — this is a new team, and experience like this will come with time.

The result leaves Eastside 7th in the table after three games — P3, W1, L2, GD -2.

Up next: Highams Park (A)

PRIDE OF THE EAST.