After four unsuccessful attempts to stage the Edward Case Cup match against Abbey Hey at Pershall Park due to the weather, league rules state that the fixture must be reversed, so Eccleshall travelled to Manchester hoping to reach the quarter finals of the competition. Manager Liam Kelly wasn’t helped by the absence of forwards Anthony Malbon, Chris Boast and Ryan Malbon and Luke Lewis started up front.
Eagles showed their intent in the opening minute when Lewis had their first attempt on goal after being set up by Callum Feeney, but Abbey keeper Joe Lawton collected. Further chances from Jordan Benton and Feeney lacked power and didn’t trouble Lawton. Benton then beat two home defenders on a run only to fire just wide of the post and, with twenty minutes gone, the visitors had been the more dominant side. However, they had a scare in the 33rd minute, when a deflected shot by Jake Dunford looped over Eagles keeper Aaron Woolrich and spun back off the line before being cleared. The best chance of the game came three minutes later when Lucas Green-Birch set up Lewis and, after running clear, his attempted lob was too weak to trouble Lawton. In reply, Darrhyl Mason outpaced Benton, but Woolrich held the shot. With four minutes to half time, referee Davies turned down a penalty shout when Lewis was brought down in the box by Michael Ibelo and Abbey had the last chance of the half when Joel Bembo-Leta headed wide from a corner. Kelly would have been pleased with his team’s first half performance.
HT: Abbey Hey 0 Eccleshall 0

Eccleshall began the second half as the first when their opening attack led to Green-Birch being brought down on the edge of the box. However, Jordan Flattley’s free kick was cleared. Mason then ran clear, but his shot was deflected away. Agustin Alvarez then fired on goal only for Jordan Darlington to block the effort. Another Alvarez effort brought a great save from Woolrich and Mason just failed to capitalise. The home side were now getting more into the game and their skipper, Luke Hincks, had a shot blocked. Max Raine was brought on for Benton and his early pace down the left was troubling the home defence. Mitch Glover replaced Green-Birch and then George Woodroffe had to replace the injured Lewis Dunn before Abbey’s Elliott Fenton tested Woolrich. As the match entered the final ten minutes, it looked as though neither side would find the all-important goal. However, in the 82nd minute, Abbey took the lead. A slip in the Eagles defence led to Fenton setting up Mason who ran clear and calmly slotted the ball past the advancing Woolrich to find the net. Worse was to follow five minutes later when a move involving Jordyn Fitton and Mason led to the latter’s shot being tipped on to the post by Woolrich and Benjamin McNamara lashed the ball into the net to leave Eagles little hope of pulling back the deficit. Eccleshall’s last chance of a trophy was gone for this season.
FT: Abbey Hey 2 Eccleshall 0

Eccleshall’s hardworking and spirited performance did not deserve the final scoreline, but they now return to league action on Tuesday evening with a visit to league newcomers, Stockport Georgians.

Eagles: Woolrich, Darlington, Dunn (Woodroffe), Flattley, Blaise, Pickup, Lewis, Stanton, Green-Birch (Glover), Feeney (Hickman), Benton (Raine).
Unused sub: Holt

Referee: Mr Ryan Davies
Attendance: 85