City penalty hero Eastwood now ready for Halifax’s big day in spotlight (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford City penalty hero Simon Eastwood now ready for Halifax’s big day in spotlight

6:10pm Friday 11th November 2011 in Bantams By Tom Scargill

Simon Eastwood is no stranger to the drama of cup football.

The goalkeeper will be thrust into the national spotlight on Sunday when his FC Halifax Town team host Charlton Athletic in one of the FA Cup first round’s live televised ties.

But he played a starring role in Bradford’s run to the semi-finals of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy two years ago, saving five spot-kicks from two penalty shoot-outs along the way.

Eastwood has fond memories of that run during Stuart McCall’s final season in charge of City, which eventually ended with a 3-0 defeat at Carlisle.

He said: “It was a really good highlight for me from my time at Bradford. We played Notts County and Port Vale at Valley Parade and they both went to penalties – I think one was three penalty saves and one was two penalty saves.

“The last penalty (against Notts County) was Kasper Schmeichel’s and I remember saving that.

“There were a lot of people there and there was a pitch invasion at the end. It was nice and it’s one of my best memories from Bradford.

“It’s a highlight for me because it got all the way to penalties and I fancy myself when it comes to penalties, so I was confident.

“I was only a young lad and I think I’ve grown up a lot since then and I think that helped me a lot being there.”

Eastwood could well be put on the spot again on Sunday against Charlton captain Johnnie Jackson, who already has three penalties to his name this season. But the Shaymen star is just as confident now as he was two seasons ago.

He said: “I’m always confident of saving them. There have been a couple this season and I’ve got close to them. I saved one but I’m always quite confident when it comes to penalties.

“I’m sure I’ll talk to the gaffer about where they put their penalties but at the end of the day, people at that level can put it wherever they want to put it and do whatever they want to do.”

The clash between the Blue Square Bet North outfit and the League One leaders is arguably the tie of the round and Eastwood acknowledges it will be a momentous day for Halifax.

“I think, to be fair, it’s got to be the biggest for every single player in our team because it’s on TV,” he said.

“People can say they’ve played in big games before – I’ve played in big games, I’ve played for England youth teams before.

“But it’s never been as big coverage as this and never been on TV – especially with it being on ITV, it’s got to be the biggest game for everyone.”