Blake treble in a five-star show sees Eastwood storm into first round of the FA Vase

And the Red Badgers’ reward for their efforts is a trip to Leicestershire to face Premier Division South side Lutterworth Town on October 10.

Eastwood, of GCE Hire Fleet United Counties League Premier Division North, had their Division One hosts on the back foot from the very start of the second qualifying round tie Blake put them ahead inside the first minute of the tie.

The striker added his, and Eastwood’s second on 21 minutes to put the visitors two-up at the break.

And the tie was all over six minutes into the second half when Blake completed his hat-trick.

Eastwood got a fourth on 75 minutes through Ryan Wilson and nap hand was completed in the third minute of stoppage time when substitute Revarnelle James bagged their fifth.

The Red Badgers now return to league business this weekend as they look to keep up the pressure on the top two of Belper United and Clay Cross Town with a home game against Sherwood Colliery at Coronation Park on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Third-placed Eastwood have a game in hand on the two above them.

Leaders Belper were also in FA Vase action, winning 3-2 at Leicester Nirvana – whom they had thrashed 7-0 in the league the week before – while Clay Cross jumped above Eastwood as two late goals gave them a 4-2 win at Kimberley Miners Welfare, who slipped to their third defeat in four in the league.

The visitors made a fast start with Basile Zottos putting them ahead after only seven minutes.

Kene Ukatu levelled for Kimberley on 34 minutes and Nathan Banton then put them ahead six minutes after the break.

The lead only lasted a minute, however, before Alexander Marshall equalised for Clay Cross but Kimberley looked to be heading for solid draw until late goals from Brodie Litchfield on 84 minutes, and Zottos with his second on 87 minutes, saw the hosts finish empty-handed.

Kimberley are at home again this weekend when they face Blackstones at the Stag Ground on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).