Tom Rimes started in goal for Cardea who deployed a 4-3-3 formation with a front three of Tom Broughton, Brendon Chapman and Mike Dandrilli. Twins Dale and Ryan Moore operated as full backs (Twin Backs).

Cardea gained control of the game from the start with good possession and sharp passing. Cardea captain Daryl Patrick had the first chance of the game when he shot from a free kick 30 yards out and it was punched over the bar by the keeper.

Eight minutes into the game and after a succession of corners Aaron Yeoman whipped the 3rd one into the top of the net despite the keeper getting a hand on it. Unfortunately Yeoman's game didn't last much longer after he was injured and had to be subbed with a dead leg.

Cardea had a couple of chances to double their lead firstly when Dandrilli was well tackled in the box following a through ball from Chapman. And as 20 minutes approached a big kick from Rimes caused chaos in the Eastern defence and Broughton had a chance but he sliced wide from an angle.

Eastern United worked themselves an equaliser on 20 minutes with good work from the left and a low cross in was controlled and drilled in on the turn from 6 yards, taking a slight deflection on the way.

The game was turned on it's head 5 minutes later when Eastern took the lead from a corner. The corner was crossed long to the back post and it was headed back into the danger zone and thundered into the top of the net from 8 yards.

Eastern had a sustained period of pressure until half time but could not add to their lead thanks to good defending from the Cardea back four. At half time Billy Thomson and Phil Brown were brought on as Cardea reverted to a 4-4-2.

It took Cardea some time to create a second half opportunity but they had the ball in the back of the net on the hour mark. A free kick from Michael Williams hit the wall and he volleyed the rebound back towards goal and it was diverted in by Daniel Robinson, however the flag was raised for offside.

Five minutes later and Robinson had another chance. A good lofted ball from Ryan Moore set Robinson through and his shot skimmed the outside of the post and went wide.

As the match entered the latter stages Cardea pushed forward and created some good chances. A corner was headed over by Tony Harper and another corner was scrambled off the line.

Into the last ten minutes and Cardea had another free kick just outside the area after a handball that looked to have been committed inside the box. Thomson stood over the ball but his effort went just over the bar.

Despite the late onslaught Eastern United somehow managed to cling on and the final whistle signalled the end of Cardea's participation in the competition.

Manager Kev Webster refused to speak to the waiting media after the conclusion of the game.

Cardea's next scheduled game against Fenland Police has been postponed and moved to the end of the season due to Fenland's PFA Junior Cup game against West Town being rescheduled for the 15th December. Meaning Cardea's next match will be on the 22nd December versus a Halcyon side who have moved into 2nd position in the league following a good run of form.