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DOWNS & WHITE ON TARGET AS ECCLESHALL START WITH A WIN

DOWNS & WHITE ON TARGET AS ECCLESHALL START WITH A WIN

Richard Farrington15 Jul 2018 - 08:42
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https://www.eccleshallfc.co.uk

Redgate Clayton 2 Eccleshall FC 3

New Eccleshall manager Nick Farrington saw his young side start their pre season campaign with a win at Staffs County League side Redgate Clayton.
With Matt Johnson moving to Newcastle Town, Owen Wyatt, who has signed on a dual registration with Leek Town started in goal whilst Callum Feeney took the skippers armband due to Harvey Collins being on holiday. The rest of the back four had a familiar look to it as Matt Quimby, Callum Thomas and Jordan Bennion were all given starts, Lewis Dunn missed out due to a back injury. In midfield Jake Standbridge and Shay Finney were joined by newcomer Isaac Walsh, in attack last seasons top scorer Louis Downs had Dan Needham and another new boy, Reece White who was a regular scorer for Silverdale Athletic last term for company. Amongst the seven substitutes Farrington had three teenagers in Miles Johnson, Liam Baker-Haynes and keeper George Hill. Newcomers Nathan Cliffe and Connor Mathews along with George Burslem ( re - signed from last season ) and forward Saki Ahmadi who is back at the club after a short spell last season completed the line up.
Eccleshall started the game well, keeping the ball with purpose as Walsh, Finney and White all had attempts at goal in the first fifteen minutes, Downs and Needham proving a handful in the wide areas. Finney and Needham were again involved as Eccy had a goal ruled out for offside, but they didn't have long to wait for their first goal of pre season, Needham and White were again involved, the former providing the pass for Louis Downs to score.
The home side had a couple of chances from distance as Eccy's passing which had been impressive, playing out from the back through the centre backs, with Stanbridge, Walsh and Finney providing a constant link, lost some of its accuracy which was to be expected at this early stage of the season.
Eccy doubled the lead when Needham set White through on goal and the young striker finished neatly for his first goal for the club. Skipper Feeney almost added a third as a nice one, two sent him clear on the angle but the home keeper saved well.

HT - Redgate Clayton 0 Eccleshall FC 2

Ahmadi and Matthews came on for the second half, replacing Walsh and White as Eccy changed to a back three, Quimby and Bennion moving into the wing back positions.
Downs had the first chance of the half, after being sent clear, but the home keeper again saved well, he did double his tally just after the hour mark, slotting home a penalty, given for handball.
The game by this point had become a little disjointed with both sides making a number of substitutions, Burslem, Johnson, Cliffe, Baker-Haynes and young keeper George Hill all joining the action.
George Burslem had a couple of decent efforts at goal, whilst nobody could add the final touch after good work on the right by Miles Johnson.
As the game entered its final stages, Redgate who continued to work hard, reduced the deficit, a shot from the angle beating Hill and in the last minute added a second from a corner.

FT Redgate Clayton 2 Eccleshall FC 3

Wyatt, Quimby, Bennion, Thomas, Feeney (C), Standbridge, Walsh, Finney, Needham, White, Downs. SUBS ( all played ) Hill, Matthews, Ahmadi, Johnson, Baker-haynes, Cliffe & Burslem.

Manager Nick Farrington was pleased with much of the performance, although not happy with conceding the two late goals, he added " our passing for much of the game was excellent, with our front players looking a constant threat. Out of possession we worked hard, winning the ball back in good areas and keeping a good shape. We will again be working on our fitness levels this week with the help of Trevor Oliver, with just three weeks to go before our first game we have plenty still to do".

On Thursday we will now play Newport Town at Lilleshall (7.30pm ko) & Saturday's game against Leek CSOB has been moved to Fenton Manor (3pm ko).

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