Saturday 1st December 2018
Hallmark Security NWCFL Division One South
Eccleshall made it back to back league wins for the first time this season and in doing so completed the double against Maine Road.
Connor Docherty, Lewis Dunn and Izaac Walsh all returned to the starting line-up, Louis Downs, who had filled in at right back last week was preferred to Luke Walsh and there was a debut for left back Lewis Grocott.
Within the first minute, Downs repaid the faith shown in him as he steered Tom Wakefield’s through ball into the bottom corner for his sixth goal of the campaign.
On the twentieth minute mark Wakefield was unable to find the target after being picked out by Connor Docherty and a minute later the home side had strong claims for a penalty as Serkari Ahmadi appeared to be bundled over as he got his shot away.
Maine Road who had a couple of half chances in the opening minutes found their equaliser on the break away from an Eccleshall corner, Lee Hendley capitalised on a slip by Lewis Grocott and although Owen Wyatt did well to save the initial shot the rebound fell back into Hendley’s path and he made no mistake second time around.
On the half hour, Wyatt did well to keep the scores level, then Lewis Dunn and Downs blocked a free kick, at the other end Dunn headed a Brad Carr corner wide.
Five minutes before the break the visitor’s keeper made a fantastic double save from Carr and then Wakefield, Wyatt in the home goal was then called upon to make another save as Maine Road broke from the corner.

HT. Eccleshall FC 1 Maine Road 1

Luke Walsh replaced Downs in the opening minutes of the second half, Downs has been struggling with an ankle problem for several weeks, similar to the one that is keeping Dan Needham on the side-lines.
On the hour, Eccleshall had the lead, skipper Harvey Collins sent Wakefield away and his ball was turned into the net by Brad Carr.
Substitute Christoph Aziamale should have made the game safe with his first touch, but he couldn’t make enough contact with the ball, Izaac Walsh had no such problems though as latched onto George Burslem’s deflected pass and smashed the ball into the top corner.
Five minutes from time, Aziamale had his goal and Eccleshall’s fourth as Luke Walsh provided the assist. Ahmadi then went close on two occasions; his first effort was blocked and the second saved.
In the fifth minute of added time, Maine Road added a second after a misplaced pass by Luke Walsh fell to Jamie Hill.

FT. Eccleshall FC 4 Maine Road 2

Next Saturday it’s another Derby Day as Stone Old Alleynians are the visitors to Pershall Park
Eccleshall FC – Wyatt, Docherty, Collins ©, Dunn, Grocott, Davies, Walsh I , Carr (Aziamale), Downs (Walsh L), Ahmadi, Wakefield (Burslem). Subs not used – Gittins and Van Der Laan