Bourne Town beat Eastwood CFC in the United Counties League

Bourne Town produced the perfect away performance to topple United Counties League Premier Division North leaders Eastwood CFC on Saturday.

The Wakes ran out 3-1 winners to inflict a first home league defeat of the season on the Red Badgers.

Dan Flack, Will Bird and Robbie Ellis netted the goals as the Wakes rounded off an excellent week for the club with a super away success.

They had made FA Vase progress the previous weekend before beating neighbours Deeping Rangers last Wednesday night when the revamped changing rooms were unveiled at the Abbey Lawn.

Manager Michael Goode said: "The players really stepped up to the mark and it was a very good away performance. We're in a really good place at the moment.

"To come back from a goal down in the FA Vase last weekend gave us some belief and then we played so fluidly against Deeping.

"It can be a psychologically draining match because there is so much hype around a derby and you are under pressure to win.

"I thought we might be a bit weary but, once we got through the first 20 minutes, we were good against an experienced and physical side."

Bourne had travelled without the experienced Richard Jones - who was sidelined through injury - to face an Eastwood side who had signed ex-Lincoln City, Notts County and Scunthorpe winger Terry Hawkridge ahead of the game.

The Nottinghamshire side had paid an undisclosed fee to sign Hawkridge from Northern Premier League Premier Division side Worksop Town.

The hosts, as expected, dominated the early territory but goalkeeper Dan Swan was only forced into one superb save as Bourne defended well with Brad Gothard again partnering Brad Marshall at the heart of their defence with Kyle Rowell starting at full-back.

The midfield trio of Ellis, Shaun Archer and Henry Dunn were outstanding as Bourne started to cause Eastwood problems with some lively attacks.

They made the all-important breakthrough six minutes before the interval when a high cross from Bird landed invitingly for Flack to volley home the opener.

The Wakes could have doubled their tally on the stroke of half-time but Allen was denied by a save from the home goalkeeper in a one-on-one from a tight angle.

Bourne weathered the early pressure from Eastwood after the break before doubling their lead in the 56th minute.

Zac Allen was brought down in the box and Bird stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way from the resultant spot kick.

Bourne should have added a third 10 minutes later when Bird whipped in a cross that Ellis headed against the post with the goal at his mercy.

However, the midfield powerhouse made no mistake with 15 minutes remaining as Allen created the opening for Bird who teed up Ellis to slot home.

Eastwood pulled a goal back with eight minutes remaining through experienced frontman Craig Westcarr but Bourne held out for a fine away win which leaves them in third spot, four points behind the leaders with two games in hand.

Goode added: "We were really good from the word go.

"They probably had 80 percent start possession for the first 20 or 25 minutes but, apart from Swanny making one good save, we dealt with it.

"We kept our shape and were patient and had the better chances in the first half. We made some tactical changes and just kept our heads until we could hit them on the counter attack.

"We knew that we had to weather the storm straight after half-time and, although they came at us a little bit more, we were getting an equal number of counter-attacks and chances.

"We then started to get a grip on the game and pass our way through them so it was the perfect away performance."

Bourne have a Lincolnshire Senior Trophy tie on Tuesday night when they travel to the Sir Halley Stewart ground to face Pinchbeck United in a quarter-final clash.