Free bets on Eastwood's FA Cup heroes

AN EASTWOOD bookmaker is taking advantage of FA Cup fever by giving out free bets on the town's football team.

Eastwood Town will play in the third round of the world's oldest cup competition for the first time when they take on Kettering Town tomorrow.

Some 1,350 fans will travel to Northamptonshire in coaches laid on by the club for what will be the biggest game in its history.

But the rest of the town can join in the fun on the day by placing a free bet on the Badgers to beat their Blue Square Premier opponents.

Ladbrokes, in The Hollies, will give punters who make a wager on the FA Cup a free bet on the first goal scorer and the final score in Eastwood Town's game.

Deputy manager Beryl Slater has decorated the shop with club memorabilia this week in preparation for the big day.

She said: "Hopefully, people will come in to place bets with us and it will create more interest in Eastwood Town.

"For the last four months we have been encouraging people to bet on the club but now they are coming in a lot more.

"It is making history for a little club like ours to get into the FA Cup third round. I hope the match is a draw so we can bring Kettering back to Eastwood and then beat them in the replay."

Eastwood – who are currently second in the Unibond Premier Division – made the third round after beating League Two leaders Wycombe Wanderers.

The club's allocation of 1,250 tickets sold out in one day and Kettering Town made an extra 100 available to meet demand.

Tomorrow, Mrs Slater is raffling two tickets for the game for fans who couldn't get in.

Eastwood Town chairman Robert Yong has paid for 20 coaches from Notts company Trevor Bailey Travel to take fans to the match.

Mr Yong said: "Eastwood is buzzing at the moment about the football but people are also talking about it in Nuthall, Kimberley and Brinsley.

"It is great for the area – win, lose or draw it will be a big day for us."

With the top teams from the Premier League entering the FA Cup at the third round stage, the club hoped to get a glamour tie on Saturday.

But Mr Yong said he felt confident his team could upset the odds again to reach the fourth round.

He said: "I don't think the players will be that concerned about playing Kettering, as we have already beaten two teams above them.

"I would say our players are on a par with Kettering even though we are two divisions below them."

robert.parsons@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk