After Eccleshall’s victory at Ashville last Saturday in the Edward Case Cup, the visitors had an immediate chance to put things right as they met the Eagles at Pershall Park in a league fixture. Ashville made a number of changes to their team from last week and Eagles manager Liam Kelly was expecting another tough game. Keeper Aaron Woolrich, Aidan Blaise, Callum Feeney and Jordan Flattley all returned to the starting line-up.

An early Ashville move led to a cross into the box and Thomas Davies, with an overhead kick, tested Woolrich who dived full stretch to tip the ball away. Moments later, another shot from distance brought another diving save from the keeper before Feeney hacked the ball clear. Both sides were looking for a goal and on 29 minutes, Luke Lewis pounced on a through ball, but his weak cross was collected by Ashville keeper Michael Dixon. Then Anthony Malbon brilliantly set up Lucas Green-Birch in the six-yard box and the striker should have done better as Dixon blocked the shot with his legs. Malbon then set up Lewis, but he was flagged offside. Both sides continued to move forward in the blazing heat and referee Dowling was allowing for regular water breaks for the players. On 40 minutes, Malbon brought another save from Dixon and with half time approaching, a Mitchell Glover free kick was headed clear for a corner which came to nothing.

HT: Eccleshall 0 Ashville 0

After the re-start, Green-Birch set up Lewis Dunn and his shot was blocked in the box. Eagles went close again as a Malbon effort curled across the line. Back came Ashville and a Davies shot hit the post before bouncing clear with Woolrich beaten. Malbon was flagged offside as he tried to find some space in the box. Then a header by Ashville’s Thomas Johnstone brought a great save from Woolrich to prevent a goal. It was now end-to-end, and Green-Birch missed another effort before Davies, for the visitors, fired high and wide. Green-Birch then appeared to be bundled over in the box, but referee Dowling waved away Eagles appeals for a spot-kick. The home side were then reduced to ten men for ten minutes when Malbon was sin-binned for comments to the referee. On 82 minutes, Green-Birch set up Lewis with a gilt-edged chance to give Eccleshall the lead, but he put the ball wide when it seemed easier to score. Connor Jones came on for Green-Birch and in added time, Malbon was through, but his pass was laid just behind the advancing Jordan Benton.

FT: Eccleshall 0 Ashville 0

League newcomers Ashville have now given the Eagles two tough games and they will take points off more fancied sides in the division. That said, manager Kelly will be pleased that his side are unbeaten in four and haven’t conceded a goal in three league matches. They now move forward to a local derby against Stafford Town next Saturday at Evans Park.

Eagles: Woolrich, Blaise, Woodroffe, Benton, Dunn, Feeney, Lewis, Flattley, Malbon, Glover, Green-Birch (Jones).
Unused subs: Griffiths, Flanaghan, Taylor, Downs.

Referee: Mr Kenny Dowling
Attendance: 91