Saturday 15th September 2018
Hallmark Security NWCFL Division One South
Eccleshall FC 3 Alsager Town 1
Two goals from Dan Needham and a fantastic free kick from Jordan Bennion ensured that Nick Farrington’s Eccleshall got the better of local rivals Alsager Town.
With Harvey Collins serving the first of a three-game ban, Louis Downs and Matt Quimby both missing out due to injury’s, Izaac Walsh and Jordan Bennion came into the starting line-up, whilst newcomer Joe Griffiths was named on the bench.
After an even twenty minutes, the game came to life with Saki Ahmadi being brought down 25 yds. from goal, Bennion’s strike from the free kick was tipped over by Bills in the visitor’s goal.
Bennion was again in the action five minutes before the break, his cross from the left was deflected into the path of Dan Needham, who fired into the bottom left corner to give Eccleshall the lead.
On the stroke of half time, Jordan Bennion doubled the lead, Needham had been fouled in a similar area to the earlier free kick, however this time Bennion went the opposite way and found the same spot as Needham had.
HT. Eccleshall FC 2 Alsager Town 0
The contest was almost over within a minute of the restart, Saki Ahmadi chasing down a poor clearance by Bills, but he couldn’t find the target as he shot on the turn.
Alsager then had their best spell of the game in terms of territory, although keeper Owen Wyatt was rarely called into action.
With twenty minutes to go Farrington made a double change, Tom Wakefield and Callum Thomas being replaced by Jake Standbridge and teenager Joe Griffiths for his Eccleshall debut.
With fifteen minutes to go Alsager were back in the game, keeper Wyatt being caught in possession by McMahon from Lewis Dunn’s pass back. Eccleshall had been fortunate a moment before when losing possession just outside their own area only resulted with a shot off target.
With Alsager pushing for an equaliser, Eccleshall had to defend several corners, but again the home defence protected the lead.
With Wyatt struggling with a knee injury, acting skipper Callum Feeney had taken over goal kick duties and with five minutes left he picked out Brad Carr on the right, who found Needham on the right wing, Needham then danced inside ont0 his left foot before blasting his effort against the far post.
Needham was again involved as he got away down the right, picking out Carr whose effort was quite clearly kept out by the defender’s hand, but referee waved away Eccleshall’s appeals.
In the last-minute Needham latched on to a ball from Feeney, firing past Bills to ensure the win.
FT. Eccleshall FC 3 Alsager Town 1
Eccleshall – Wyatt, Thomas ( Griffiths ), Feeney ©, Dunn, Baker-Haynes, Bennion, Walsh, Carr, Wakefield ( Standbridge ), Needham, Ahmadi ( Lewis ). Subs not used – Gittins, Finney
Next game – Saturday 22nd September 2018, Wythenshawe Town @ home, 3pm ko.