Despite a late comeback in normal time, Eccleshall went out of The Buildbase FA Vase at the 1st qualifying stage as Coventry Copeswood ran out comfortable winners in extra time.
Eccleshall had the best of the opening half hour, constantly springing the home sides offside trap, Bradley Carr and Louis Downs both missed the target after being sent through on goal, but as is the way when you don’t take your chances, it was Coventry who struck first. Kazimerak picked the ball up on the right wing before drifting inside and beat keeper Reece Quinn from twenty yards. Within five minutes off the first goal, Coventry had a second and so did Kazimerak, this time sweeping the ball past Quinn into the bottom left corner.
Five minutes before the break, Eccleshall should have been back in the game, Saki Ahmadi was sent away down the left and squared the ball to Brad Carr, who was fouled on the six-yard box, just as he was about to shoot. The referee gave the penalty, but the usually reliable Louis Downs saw his effort saved. Within two minutes, Eccleshall did have a foot hold in the game, Callum Feeney sent Ahmadi away down the left and this time when he crossed into the area Dan Needham was on hand to reduce the arrears.

HT. Coventry Copeswood 2 Eccleshall FC 1

The second continued in much the same way as the first, with Eccleshall creating numerous openings, but couldn’t find the final ball. Louis Downs and Saki Ahmadi both had shots well saved, but on 67 mins Coventry extended their lead through Mulenga.
Almost instantly Downs got Eccleshall back into the game and for the final twenty minutes Nick Farrington’s side gave their all as they searched for an equaliser, although Coventry had several chances on the break. When the equaliser did come, two minutes into time added on, it was centre back Feeney who crossed from the left wing for Needham to glance his header into the far corner, giving the keeper no chance.
However, within three minutes of extra time starting, Coventry had made it five and this time there would be no comeback, although again Eccleshall never gave up and continued to look for a route back into the tie. Three minutes from the end of extra time, Mulenga got his third and Coventry’s sixth of the game.

FT. Coventry Copeswood 6 Eccleshall FC 3

Eccleshall - Quinn, Quimby ( Gittins ), Bennion, Collins(c), Feeney, Walsh I ( Thomas ), Finney ( Walsh L ), Carr, Needham, Downs, Ahmadi. Subs not used - Baker-Haynes, Dunn