Now that the dust has settled on last week's Staffordshire FA Senior Challenge Cup Final at Stoke City's Bet 365 Stadium, it is good to look back and reflect on the evening and Eccleshall's achievement in reaching the final for the first time in the club's history.

As one of the lowest ranked teams to ever reach this stage, a tough game was in prospect against Rushall Olympic from the Northern Premier League Premier Division. They had the experience as the game was their fourth consecutive season in reaching the final - the Step 6 Eagles facing a team three leagues higher in the National League System.

As it turned out, Eccleshall were not overawed by the occasion and in front of an attendance of 680 on the evening, took the game to their higher ranked opponents and played their part in a match which was a credit to both the club and to Staffordshire football.

In spite of going behind after two minutes and being 2-0 down after thirty eight, Eagles got back into the game when Danny Glover pulled one back on 39 minutes to leave the score at 2-1 at the interval. The large following of Eagles supporters in the crowd had their spirits lifted seven minutes into the second half when Jack Hassall equalised. Their game rose to the occasion and, with the rub of the green with one or two decisions, could have taken the lead. However, on 81 minutes, Rushall took the lead with what turned out to be the winning goal. There was still time as the minutes ticked away for them to pull back as a blatant shirt pull in the box on Danny Glover was missed by the officials - a VAR call if there ever was one!

One consolation on what had been a memorable occasion for the club was that our own Nicky Parker was deservedly named as the Sponsors Man of the Match and received a trophy in the post-match presentations.

A special mention must be made of the great Eccleshall support on the evening and, in particular, our young Under 11s team who acted as mascots at the start of the game and sung their hearts out for 96 minutes.

The club would like to place on record their thanks to both Staffordshire FA and to Stoke City FC for the arrangements that were made. Having tasted the occasion that the Senior Cup Final brings, it is hoped that the Eagles can experience this again in the future.

Manager Liam Kelly said at the end of the game: "I couldn't be more proud of the lads. We've gone toe to toe with a very good Step 3 side and I thought we were the better team. We've done the club proud, we've done ourselves proud and we have had chances to win it. It wasn't meant to be though and we will now concentrate on the play-offs".

Eagles: Whitehouse, Fishman, Hassall, Derbyshire, Lake, Graves, Harper, Marshall, Parker, Warren (c), Glover.
Subs: Drakeley, Marston, Russell, Ashworth, Hallam.

Photo shows the match squad before the game (Gaz Clark Photography)