EASTWOOD defied any worries of an FA Cup hangover as they dispatched struggling Witton on Saturday.
Any speculation that Paul Cox and John Ramshaw might rest some of their Wrexham heroes was dispelled when the Badgers' management duo announced 'sa
me again' for the return to a staple diet of points gathering in Cheshire.
Host club Witton, who, twice in successive seasons literally threw promotion to the Conference North away, went into this game deep in relegation trouble.
Manager Nigel Deeley, who replaced the here-gone-here-and-gone-again Jim Vince early into this season, had new central defender Steve Brockley from Skelmersdale United in his starting line-up.
Starting confidently, Eastwood menaced through the wide running Andy Todd and Lindon Meikle and from the latter's typically mazy advance, Ross Gardner just failed to get a vital touch.
Ian Holmes skilfully controlled Anton Foster's low ball forward but Greg Smith got down quickly to smother his progress.
When Foster was harshly penalised for a firm tackle on Reuben Wiggins-Thomas, the ex-Badger curled the resultant free-kick in for Rod Thornley to be denied a heading chance by Shane Redmond.
In 15 minutes, Holmes' firm shot was knocked onto the post by Smith but Mark Hume, who will unfortunately miss out against Brackley, reacted smartly to put Eastwood one up.
From then until Liverpool-based official Mr Edwards mercifully signalled half-time, traffic was incessantly one-way and quite how at least three Eastwood players failed to add to the lead was bewildering.
In the event, Smith denied Holmes and Gardner with instinctive stops but could only watch helplessly as Holmes, Meikle and Todd all failed to convert half-chances.
Re-starting where they laid off, Eastwood wasted a free-kick and were then caught out - hopelessly over-extended - dressing up for a corner.
Brian Pritchard's long clearance was picked up by Dan Skelton who swapped passes with sub Ross Thaker before coasting in on Redmond and competently beating the unguarded keeper in 50 minutes.
For the next ten minutes, Albion threatened to make a game of it and Rod Thornley had a header pushed over by Redmond whilst Alistair Asher was on hand to keep out Pritchard's attempt from the consequent corner.
Around the hour mark, Eastwood got a free-kick 30 yards out, wide on the left.
Richard Dunning's flighted inswinger somehow evaded friend and foe alike and left a sheepish-looking home custodian completely stranded as it bounced Eastwood in front.
Shortly before being given well-earned rests, both Holmes and Gardner went close and Matt Rhead, the first replacement, soon had Smith diving full length to save.
The advent of Peter Knox was signalled by his catching on to Rhead's header but he over-ran the ball and conceded a goal kick.
Meikle did better down the same flank but, although he lofted his cross high for Rhead, the resultant header went wide.
In what was to be Witton's last attack, Scott Willis was put clear on the right but Redmond got down low to gather his near post cross.
Eastwood cruised the last five or six minutes but concentrated on keeping possession - not a bad decision considering their dreadful away record in league games so far.
As the final whistle sounded, relief that the ship was still sailing into promotion waters despite the obvious FA Cup counter-attraction was everywhere evident.
In a 'curate's egg' experience, the occasional flash of entertaining skill and pace provided by Lindon Meikle got him my Best Badger vote.
Eastwood Town
1 - Shane Redmond
2 - Alistair Asher
3 - Russell Cooke
4 - Richard Dunning
5 - Mark Hume
6 - Paul Robinson
7 - Lindon Meikle
8 - Anton Foster
9 - Ian Holmes (Matt Rhead 72)
10 - Ross Gardner (Peter Knox 77)
11 - Andy Todd
Subs not used: Marc Smith, Wayne Diuk, Tris Whitman
Attendance: 232
Referee: Ian Edwards (Liverpool)
Best Badger - Lindon Meikle
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