CHEADLE BOGEY STRIKES AGAIN
After Tuesday’s disappointing result at Ashville, Eccleshall returned to Pershall Park to face Cheadle Town, who have proved to be a bit of a bogey side to the Eagles over previous years. Injuries and unavailability meant that Manager Liam Kelly had to ring the changes. Alex Atton was in goal and recent signing Travis Capey was on the bench.
Eccleshall started well and Town keeper Jordan Latham was called into early action, making a great save from a goal bound close range header from Chris Boast. The visitors had the ball in the net on 23 minutes but the effort was flagged offside. On 35 minutes, a Matthew Bryan free kick was turned around the post by Atton. Minutes later, an Eagles corner from the left was headed just wide by Aidan Blaise. Another corner on 40 minutes was headed over by Boast. Luke Lewis then jinked his way forward before firing wide. With the final attempt of the first half, Ryan Barrow had an effort saved by Atton. In truth, whilst both teams had worked hard in the first half, goal attempts had been at a premium.
HT: Eccleshall 0 Cheadle Town 0

Eagles suffered an early blow in the second half when Blaise was forced to go off with a hamstring injury to be replaced by Ethan Stanton. On 57 minutes, Cheadle took the lead when Liam Crellin-Myers turned his man on the edge of the 18 yard box before curling his shot into the top corner, giving Atton no chance. Eagles were rocked by this and were trying to get back into the game but it was Cheadle who had an effort just wide of the post. Kelly brought on Jordan Darlington and Ryanjay Malbon for Lewis and Jordan Flattley before Boast was booked by referee DePrez. On 80 minutes, Eagles went further behind when they failed to clear their lines and Callum McGlynn laid the ball across the box to Bryan, and the striker was able to knock the ball home. Travis Capey was brought on for his debut, replacing George Woodroffe and, as the minutes ticked away, Mitchell Glover fired in from distance but his effort was easily held by Latham. Boast then weaved his way into the box but his shot was blocked. In added time, Eagles finally pulled one back when Darlington spotted Latham a little off his line and he managed to curl his shot into the top corner. It proved to be too little, too late and no more than a consolation.
FT: Eccleshall 1 Cheadle Town 2

Whilst Cheadle’s good past record at Pershall Park continued, a look at the league table will show that Eccleshall’s real problem is capitalizing on chances and finding the net more regularly. They now face two home matches to try and get back on track with Abbey Hey on Wednesday and Barnton on Saturday (7.45pm) as part of the NWCFL Groundhop weekend.

Eagles: Atton, Blaise (Stanton), Woodroffe (Capey), Benton, Dunn, Groom, Lewis (R Malbon), Feeney, Boast, Flattley (Darlington), Glover.
Unused sub: Taylor

Referee: Mr Thomas DePrez
Attendance: 58