On Saturday (22. July), the Eagles travelled to Sale, Manchester, to take on Mersey Valley from the Cheshire League. With a number of changes from the team which played on Thursday, Eccleshall created several chances which weren’t taken. Valley went closest on 35 minutes when a shot from the edge of the box beat keeper Reece Quinn but hit the bar and went over. As half time approached, another Valley chance went just wide of the post. Just before the whistle, the Eagles took the lead when Tom Wakefield latched onto a through ball and his rising shot found the top corner, giving the keeper no chance. One nil at the interval, Eccleshall went two up shortly after the kick off when Malaki Norford finished off a chance after being set up by Declan Arber. Arber himself scored on 47 minutes, finding the top corner from an angle. On 60 minutes, Wakefield netted again with a curling shot into the top corner of the net. On 63 minutes, Valley pulled one back when a ball played across the box was easily slotted home. Two minutes later, the Eagles restored their three goal cushion when Arber ran onto a through ball and slid the ball past the keeper to make it 5-1. Valley pulled another back on 89 minutes but there was still time for Jordan Bennion to hit the post from a free kick before the ref called time leaving Eccleshall with their third pre-season victory on the trot, running out 5-2 winners on the day.
They continue their programme next Saturday (29. July) when welcoming Hallmark Security League Premier Division side, Barnton, to Pershall Park (3pm). Barnton are managed by former Eccleshall boss Steve Lloyd.