Eccleshall went into their final match of the season against New Mills at Pershall Park hoping for a positive result which could see them finish eighth if other results went their way. Manager Liam Kelly only made one change from the side which had won at Ellesmere Rangers on Easter Monday, naming Alex Atton in goal rather than Aaron Woolrich, who was named on the bench.
Eagles were dealt an early blow when striker Josh Waite was forced to go off with an injury after only six minutes and was replaced by Ryan Malbon. The visitors had applied pressure on the home goal and took the lead on twelve minutes, when a ball from the right by Emmanuel Udjor Omorogbe appeared to go through several players in the box and deceived Atton to find the net. The Millers were strong when moving forward and Eccleshall looked to get back on terms. On 23 minutes, a corner from the right found Ethan Stanton and his header was destined for the top corner before Millers keeper Dylan Forth produced a great save to fingertip the ball away to safety. Then, a good flick by Luke Lewis found Malbon running clear, but he was flagged offside. In reply, Kyle Hawley had a decent chance, but his shot was just wide of the post. Moments later, a free kick by Mitch Glover found Ryan Pickup at the back post but Forth collected his shot. Back came the Millers and Tawab Djankpata had a shot blocked for a corner and, from this, Kyle Oakes curled a shot just wide of the post. Right on the interval, a miscue by Callum Feeney led to Christopher Rogers firing just wide. On the balance of play, New Mills were worth their half-time lead.
HT: Eccleshall 0 New Mills 1

With the second half under way, another chance fell to the visitors when Hawley was through, but he shot weakly, and Atton collected. As the half progressed, Eagles were pushing forward more in search of an equaliser but failed to capitalise on a decent chance when a Malbon cross was headed back by Jordan Flattley to Lewis. However, his tame header was easily held by Forth. The visitors’ keeper was again in action, having to punch clear a Glover free kick. Eagles continued to press with time ticking away but, with five minutes remaining, the game boiled over with Millers’ Joel Ankers coming back at Flattley after an incident just moments before. This provoked a melee in the centre of the pitch involving all the players. When the dust settled, referee Holman showed the red card to Stanton and Millers’ Reece Lyndon. Eagles’ manager Kelly was also sent off. New Mills saw out the final few minutes to hold out for the win.
FT: Eccleshall 0 New Mills 1

The Eagles management will be disappointed with the result but, having finished in the lower reaches in previous seasons, their final tenth place represents progress which Kelly and his backroom team will look to take forward in 2023/24.
Eagles: Atton, Pickup, Dunn, Flattley, Blaise, Feeney, Darlington, Glover, Waite (Malbon), Stanton, Lewis.
Unused subs: Groom, Taylor, Woodroffe, Woolrich.

Referee: Mr Elliott Holman
Attendance: 87