After last week’s win against Stockport Town, Eccleshall faced league leaders Brocton at the Apex Arena. Being the only team to beat the visitors in the league this season, they were hoping for a repeat in front of a decent crowd. With Dan Counter and Tom Winkle unavailable from last week, Jordan Benton and Luke Lewis returned to the starting line-up.
Brocton made a statement of their intent within two minutes of the kick off when Regan Smith set up Christian Blanchete and his rising shot hit the bar from twelve yards and bounced clear. Minutes later, Smith fired over when well placed. Eccleshall then had the ball in the net on nine minutes through Nick Wellecomme but it was disallowed for offside. The game was being played at a decent pace and was nip and tuck with Eagles gradually getting back after Brocton’s early pressure. On 24 minutes, it was Eccleshall who took the lead when a free kick awarded outside the box led to Mitchell Glover curling his shot past Brocton keeper Tony Allsopp to find the net. A header by Lewis was then easily held by Allsopp. On 40 minutes, Eagles had a great chance to increase their lead before half time when referee Owen awarded a penalty for a foul on Lewis. However, the usually reliable Benton tried to place the spot-kick and it was easily saved by the diving Allsopp. With the interval approaching, the visitors almost forced an equaliser and were continuing to press as the whistle went.
HT: Eccleshall 1 Brocton 0

Brocton again started on the front foot in the second half but on 55 minutes, Eccleshall had another big shout for a penalty when Ryan Malbon was fouled in the box, but referee Owen turned away the calls. Brocton came back and levelled on 57 minutes when Thomas Vaughan drilled a low drive from outside the box into the corner of the net, giving the diving Aaron Woolrich no chance. Then, a speculative effort by Glover was held by Allsopp before a good run by Malbon led to his shot being blocked on the edge of the box. Minutes later, manager Liam Kelly brought on George Woodroffe for the limping Malbon before Woolrich was forced into a great block to prevent Blanchete putting the visitors in front. Smith was then through on goal, and it was Woolrich again who had to dive to collect the shot. In reply, Wellecomme had an effort just wide of the post. Brocton continued to press for a winner and substitute Charlie King fired just over the bar from distance.
FT: Eccleshall 1 Brocton 1

On any other day, a point against the league leaders would have been a welcome one, especially in a local derby, but manager Kelly will look back at the missed spot-kick in the first half and the decent shout for another in the second half and wonder what might have been. Whilst only having two league defeats this season, Eagles have now drawn seven times and really need to start turning these into wins. Next up is a trip to Sandbach United next Saturday.

Eagles: Woolrich, Darlington, Minshall, Robinson, Benton, Feeney, Lewis, Glover, Wellecomme, Malbon (Woodroffe), Hallam.
Unused subs: Diskin, Southwick-Williams, Tomlin, Clare.

Referee: James Owen
Attendance: 180