After the local derby victory against Stafford Town on Tuesday evening, Eccleshall faced early league leaders Abbey Hey at Pershall Park. The visitors had gained maximum points from their opening two matches. Due to unavailability, the Eagles management were again forced to shuffle the pack. Jack Sandel continued in goal and new signings Brendon Price and Tom Evans were included in the squad.

Eagles got off to the best possible start when they took the lead after five minutes. Luke Lewis was felled in the box and referee Abratanski pointed to the spot. Jordan Benton stepped up to send Abbey keeper Connor Beard the wrong way, netting his second spot kick in a week. The visitors showed why they had got off to a good start but almost went two down on 18 minutes when a Jordan Flattley cross into the box was back headed by Aidan Blaise and three Eagles players failed to connect with the loose ball. Three minutes later, an Abbey free kick from the left was well tipped around the post by Sandel. The home side then had to bring on Liam Tomlin for the injured Lewis before Abbey’s Rhys Clooney fired over the bar. On 29 minutes, Eagles had a goal disallowed when Joe Minshall fired in from distance. Beard could only parry the ball and Mitchell Glover netted, only to be flagged offside. Minutes later, Glover put a decent chance over the bar from inside the box. With the interval approaching, the visitors put a free kick from a wide position just over the bar.
HT: Eccleshall 1 Abbey Hey 0

With the second half under way, the visitors equalised on 58 minutes when a scramble in the box led to Danny Warburton netting. They went close again five minutes later when a Ben Vincent drive hit the bar with Sandel beaten. Then, a Sandel clearance fell to the feet of William Shawcross and, seeing the Eagles keeper off his line, shot goalwards. However, Sandel managed to get back to palm the ball away. On 71 minutes, Jordan Darlington headed over the bar. Minutes later, George Woodroffe made a good run down the left, but his rising shot was over the bar. Back came the visitors and Clooney had a shot which was again palmed away by Sandel. Shawcross then had a free kick which curled just wide of the post. Brendon Price came on to make his debut, replacing Tomlin before a Jordan Flattley run ended with his shot being blocked for a corner. It was nip and tuck to the end and, at the final whistle, the Abbey manager received two quick yellow cards and was sent off by referee Abratanski.
FT: Eccleshall 1 Abbey Hey 1

With Abbey Hey early league leaders on their arrival at Pershall Park, Eccleshall would have taken this result before the start. It was a real battling performance by the Eagles who more than matched the team who are expected to be promotion challengers. Credit to young Jack Sandel, whose performance earned him the opponents’ Man of the Match nomination. Eagles now move on to a tasty local derby on Tuesday when they face Brocton at Silkmore Lane – it will be a game worth watching.

Eagles: Sandel, Darlington, Minshall, Flattley, Groom, Blaise, Benton, Robinson, Lewis (Tomlin) (Price), Glover, Woodroffe.
Unused subs: Evans, Kay, Jeys.

Referee: Mr Jakub Abratanski
Attendance: 67

Link to Matchday Programme - https://bit.ly/45eGOn9