Eccleshall made the journey to Gloucestershire for their Isuzu FA Vase First Round tie against Newent Town. Eagles were at full strength as Jordan Flattley returned to the starting line-up and had a good travelling support for the match.
On 4 minutes, Mitch Glover spotted Newent keeper Kyran Edwards off his line and his shot from inside the halfway line was just over the bar. Both sides were sizing each other up in the early stages and on nine minutes, Lucas Green-Birch curled a shot just wide of the post. In reply, Town’s Jake Bevan moved down the right, but his effort was over the bar. Eagles were slowly taking the game to the home side and on 27 minutes, Edwards had to race out to clear as Ryanjay Malbon ran through. Callum Feeney then found Lewis Dunn running down the left and his effort was cleared for a corner from which Malbon fired over. A Glover free kick was just over the bar before Dunn had another effort blocked. Newent mounted late attacks as the half ticked away and Tyler Weir’s angled shot brought a good save from Eagles ‘keeper Aaron Woolrich.
HT: Newent Town 0 Eccleshall 0

An early Flattley free kick was headed wide by Aidan Blaise before Eagles took the lead on 48 minutes. Malbon ran on to a Green-Birch header and Edwards brought him down in the box. Jordan Benton stepped up to net the penalty. Newent came back and Jordan Cooper’s shot was deflected wide by Woolrich. Moments later, a Finley Jones shot was superbly tipped over the bar by the Eagles ‘keeper. Malbon was proving to be a real thorn in Newent’s side and had two close efforts on goal. Back came the home side and a free kick by Saul Thomas was tipped over the bar by Woolrich and, from the corner, Elliott Dale headed just wide. After Jack Flanaghan was brought on for Jordan Darlington, Eagles had the best chance to double their lead when a Green-Birch shot was blocked by Edwards and Glover blazed over when it was easier to score. Louis Downs came on for Glover and was soon in the action before Luke Lewis replaced Green-Birch. Late Newent pressure for an equaliser led to Cooper heading over in added time. Just when it looked as though Eagles were going to see the game out, Feeney sliced a clearance and Cooper pounced in the 92nd minute to fire over Woolrich into the far corner for the equaliser. The final whistle went almost straight away. For the second Vase match in a row, it was now down to penalties.
FT: Newent Town 1 Eccleshall 1

Eagles were up first with a large group of home supporters behind the goal, but Downs netted confidently, sending Edwards the wrong way. Jones equalised before Flattley put Eagles back in front. George Watkins levelled again with Benton then netting. Bevan had his spot kick well saved by Woolrich before Oliver Hickman stepped up to put Eagles in the driving seat. Weir sent Woolrich the wrong way and it was left to Malbon to fire past Edwards to make it five out of five and put Eccleshall in the Second Round for the first time in 31 years as well as picking up the £825 prize money. They are certainly testing the nerves of their supporters, who are now looking forward to the draw for the next round.

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

Referee: Mr Ben Boardman
Attendance: 257