Having secured a play-off spot with a win at Cheadle Heath Nomads on 5. April, Eccleshall went into the final match of the regulation season last Saturday against lowly Allscott Heath at the Stoke Signage Stadium. With one eye on the play-off semi final, manager Liam Kelly made changes to the starting line-up but was still hoping to cement their highest ever league placing with a closing day victory. The visitors had their own reasons for hunting a win as three points would mean that they could wipe away any remaining chance of dropping into the relegation zone. There was a positive feeling around the ground and a decent final match crowd, including a good number of travelling supporters as the teams came out. Eccleshall had the Under 10s and Under 11s with them as mascots for the day. Allscott scored mid-way through the first half and were leading at the interval as the youngsters enjoyed a half-time penalty shoot-out against regular first team 'keeper, George Scott, who had been rested for the game. Kelly made changes for the second half and equalised through Josh Waite but the visitors scored again late in the game to tie up the points and leave Eccleshall with their eighth home defeat at the Stoke Signage Stadium. It was a disappointing end to a great season for the Eagles, who had built up their run to the play offs on the back of their superb away form, which took in ten victories on the road.

Results on the day meant that Abbey Hulton United finished in second place in the division and would be Eccleshall's opponents for the play-off semi final, their position giving them home advantage for the one-off game which will be decided on the day. The other semi-final will be between Stafford Town and Sandbach United.

With the afore mentioned away form during the season, Eccleshall will be hoping that this can be maintained into this Saturday's match but Kelly and his management team will be taking nothing for granted. With the benefit of playing on their home patch, Abbey Hulton will fancy their chances of getting to the play-off final and securing promotion to Step 5. The match, being a local derby, will be a tasty test for both teams and is bound to attract a decent crowd.

It has often been said that a good following of supporters can be like a twelfth man to a team and Kelly is hoping that the Eccleshall faithful will make the relatively short journey to Drayton Beaumont Park on Saturday to support the Eagles in their own quest for promotion. He commented: "I think they're going to have a really big crowd behind them on Saturday, so the more Eccy faithful there are on the day, the better. It will definitely spur the lads on and they have really appreciated the backing of the supporters this season. They are hoping for this support now to help them get over the line in what will be a tough match".

With it being Easter weekend, get along to Abbey Hulton and give the lads the backing they now need to help the club push on. Kick off is at 3.00pm. Come on you Eagles!!

Photo shows the Under 10s and Under 11s mascots with the first team players last Saturday.