Match Reports

Minnows, Eccleshall, FA Cup giant killers

Saturday 28th August

The FA Cup Preliminary Round

Leek Town 0 Eccleshall 1

Eccleshall travelled to Evo Stik League side Leek Town looking to perform a giant killing act and didn't disappoint their fans. First to show were Leek with a Dan Cope shot taking a wicked deflection forcing Dave Watson into making a superb save. Then Eccleshall's turn producing some good play to set up Sammy Lovatt with a chance to shoot, Stuart Heeps in the Leek goal making an easy save. Wayne Corden whipping in a cross for Tom France, the Leek forward heading narrowly wide. Corden again causing problems for Eccleshall, this time chipping the ball onto the crossbar and going over. Following the early attacks both teams settled and the game became a battle in mid field with very few openings created by either side. Half time 0-0

Eccleshall started the second period well and took the lead on 54 minutes.Good build up play by Eccleshall allowed Mark Hall to fire in a shot on goal forcing Heeps into a fine save, the ball rebounding to Lascana Sidibe who laid it into the path of Danny Hughes who fired his shot into the bottom corner to give a jubilant Eccleshall the lead. Leek almost immediately responded creating a couple of chances but to no avail. Dwayne Spence came on for Eccleshall in place of Sammy Lovatt but was then injured shortly afterwards. After a long delay Spence was then replaced by Rob Adlington. Leek throwing everything at Eccleshall in the closing minutes of the game but the Eccleshall defence road their luck and survived the onslaught and now travel to Leicester side Coalville Town for a First Qualifying Round game.

 

Staffs County Senior League

Eccleshall AFC 2 Abbey Hulton United 1

Nathan Dyer opened he scoring for Eccleshall on 23 minutes. Lee Cropper equalised on 38 minutes after poor defensive play. A second and the winning goal was superdly made for Dyer on to fire home the winner on 82 minutes.

 

 

 

 

Match Reports

Saturday 4th September

 

The Vodkat League

Eccleshall 2 Rochdale Town 0

Two late goals sealed the points for Eccleshall against bottom club Rochdale. Fielding the same team that beat Leek Town in the FA Cup last week Eccleshall started the brightest. Danny Hughes firing over after 10 minutes then Mark Hall with a shot which also went over. Rochdale gained a free kick, as they responded, the ball finding Matt Wilkinson at the far post but he shot wide. Karl Williams for Eccleshall had a shot on target which was well held by keeper Mark Canning. Steve Howath went close for Rochdale, his shot just going narrowly wide. With five minutes of the half left Peter Shore had a shot headed off the Rochdale line. Half-time 0-0

Eccleshall started the second period well with Peter Shore's excellent cross finding Tom Laraso in space but he mis-hit his shot and the danger cleared. Matt Williams for the visitors went on a mazzy run but his goal attempt was blocked as Rochdale started to test the Eccleshall defence. A Rochdale free kick taken by Nick Murphy was brilliantly saved by Dave Watson as he turned the ball away. Rochdale again, Matt Wilkinson going through on goal only to be denied Watson who saved the ball from running to Abu Umar.Wilkinson then headed over from a corner. Eccleshall then gained a corner Rob Adlington seeing his header well saved by Mark Canning. With five minutes remaining Eccleshall's substitutions made a little earlier started to pay off has they pressed forward. Richard Leech causing Rochdale problems down the right found Rob Adlington whose shot was parried by Canning into the path of Dwayne Spence who finished off from close range to give Eccleshall the lead. With the game in injury time Eccleshall and Dwayne Spence got their second. Spence chasing a ball to the edge of the Rochdale box and just beating Canning to the ball to place the ball into the net.

Staffs County Senior League Cup

Florence 3 Eccleshall AFC 1 after extra time

Eccleshall had the chances to win the game in normal time but failed to finish their chances off. Eccleshall went ahead James Wildman in the first half. Andy Teague equalised and forced extra time where he completed his hat trick and gave Florence a place in the next round.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Football Club Isolation.

To get from the local hamlet of Pershall (and the Eccleshall Football Ground) into Eccleshall town, any intrepid pedestrian has to take their life in their hands for the short hike (just over a mile). There is no footpath, only alternating grass verges to stagger along, until you reach the existing path about two thirds of the way into town. Traffic-wise, the road is fast and bendy, and attracts budding T.T. racers, and any walkers can create unexpected hazards to drivers. A few months ago, local residents compiled a petition, requesting that the footpath be extended for the full distance. Besides the obvious advantages to the locals, EFC would benefit greatly. Regulars at the club keenly signed-up, as it would hopefully mean more 'townies' would consider coming to the ground to increase the gate. With the juniors now established just over the lane, maybe even more could be attracted if safe access was available, without their parents driving input. In the present arguments of 'global warming', it could be said the path would obviously also be very 'Green', lowering the mystical carbon footprints (?) and getting a few of the local 4 x 4's off the road for a few minutes (highly doubtful).

Unfortunately, the relevant Council departments have now rejected the application, on the usual grounds of 'too expensive'.

 
 
Make a Free Website with Yola.