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12/04/08 (Saturday) SCSL Rocester 1 Eccleshall AFC 2 Any threat of relegation to Eccleshall was finally diminished with a brace from Carl Bradshaw. Rocester opened the scoring with a goal from Fletcher in the first half. Carl Bradshaw equalised for Eccleshall after the break and added his second and the winning goal on 85 minutes. 15/03/08 (Saturday) SCSL Alsager Town 0 Eccleshall AFC 0 Eccleshall battled well to gain a well earned point in this goalless encounter. 08/03/08 (Saturday) SCSL Eccleshall AFC 1 Congleton Town 0 Eccleshall left it late to earn three valuable points. Russell Jones coming off the bench to score the only goal of the game on 85 minutes. 01/03/08 (Saturday) SCSL Goldenhill Wanderers 3 Eccleshall AFC 1 Goldenhill took the points at home thanks to Lee Newell, Martin Moran and Godfrey Johnson. Eccleshall had scored first with a scintilating spell of play from Tonkinson leading to a 25 yard strike from Mark Nicklin. 23/02/08 (Saturday) SCSL Barlaston 0 Eccleshall AFC 1 The only goal of the game was scored by Danny Heard to give Eccleshall 3 valuable points. 16/02/08 (Saturday) SCSL Eccleshall AFC 1 Newcastle Town 2 Visitors Newcastle Town opened on the half-hour through Molloy, Ashman added a second on 35 minutes. Eccleshall pulled a goal back on 65 minutes thanks to Ian Maitland but were unable, despite a good second half performance, to get an equaliser. 09/02/08 (Saturday) SCSL Norton FC 1 Eccleshall AFC 0 A second half own goal robbed Eccleshall of a deserved point. 02/02/08 (Saturday) SCSL Eccleshall 1 Florence 3 Eccleshall went a goal down when Jon Pace scored after 15 minutes. Chances went begging for Eccleshall before Mark Silverstone made it 2-0 on 40 minutes. Half-time 0-0. Matt Birks made it 3-0 for the visitors on 50 minutes with Adam Cunningham scoring the goal of the game for Eccleshall on 70 minutes. 26/01/08 (Saturday) SCSL Congleton Vale 2 Eccleshall AFC 1 After a goal less first half Congleton scored twice through Chris Riley & Tom Jackson, with a single goal from the spot by Sean Brown, in reply. 05/01/08 (Saturday) SCSL Redgate Clayton 0 Eccleshall AFC 2 Following a goalless first half Eccleshall took charge in the second half and goals from Adam Cunningham and Andy Garret gave them the points. 29/12/07 (Saturday) SCSL Eccleshall AFC 0 Ball Haye Green 4 Eccleshall failed to capitalise on good possession and were punished with two goals before half-time by Danny Tainton on 16 and 40 minutes. The second half was very much the same story and again Eccelshall were punished by Tainton on the hour. Green's fourth coming on 85 minutes from Adam Sawyer. 24/11/07 (Saturday) SCSL Ashbourne 2 Eccleshall AFC 0 John Ford opened for Ashbourne with a masterfully executed back headed goal and substitute David Barrie added a second on 75minutes without reply from Eccleshall. 17/11/07 (Saturday) Leek Cup Eccleshall 0 Rocester 2 Eccleshall went a goal down to a goal by Gavin Reynolds on 39 minutes. An improved second half was spoiled when Paul Tortoishell found the net with a cross on 71 minutes. 10/11/07 (Saturday) SCSL Abbey Hulton United 5 Eccleshall AFC 1 Eccleshall's Jekyll and Hyde season continued when in contrast to last weeks excellent performance at league leaders Ball Haye Green they came crashing down with a bang at Abbey Hulton. Abbey Hulton were three goals up in the first twenty minutes with Richard Simcock, Andy Cragg and Danny Timmis doing the damage. Simcock completed his hat trick after the break and Andy Garrett pulled a goal back for Eccleshall. 03/11/07 (Saturday) SCSL Ball Haye Green 1 Eccleshall AFC 1 Tom Evans gave Eccleshall the first half lead against 2nd placed Ball Haye Green who managed a second half equaliser. 27/10/07 (Saturday) SCSL Eccleshall AFC 0 Foley 1 A disappointing result for Eccleshall who huffed and puffed but could not finish. Steve Day was gifted a goal by Eccleshall defence on 15 minutes to take the points. 20/10/07 (Saturday) SCSL Eccleshall AFC 2 Barlaston 1 Eccleshall took the lead through star striker Andy Garrett on 22 minutes. Garrett made it 2-0 on 42 minutes with John Marland pulling one back before half-time for Barlaston. Half-time 2-1. Barlaston fought hard in the second half but failed to find the net. 13/10/07 (Saturday) Staffs F.A. Vase Eccleshall AFC 3 Heath Hayes 6 Eccleshall took on opponents from higher up the pyramid and gifted them with an early start. Heath Hayes opened on 10 minutes through Ben Haseley. An own goal followed on 15 minutes and then a penalty on 25 minutes from James Barber put the visitors 3-0 up. Russell Dematteo pulled a goal back for Eccleshall on 39 minutes. Half-time 1-3 Alan Hancock added a fourth two minutes into the second half. Andrew Garratt pulled a goal back for Eccleshall on 51 minutes with Hancock scoring his second for the visitors on 68min following a second own goal on 61min . Eccleshall struck a third on 75 minutes through Carl Bradshaw. The Eagles were left wondering what could have been, if not for the own goal tally gifting their opponents the most disasterous of starts. 06/10/07 (Saturday) SCSL Stallington 1 Eccleshall AFC 5 Chris Selsby opened for Eccleshall on 40 minutes from the spot with Callum Maloney adding a second a minute before the break. Robbie Malloy pulled a goal back for Stallington before the break. Half-time 1-2 Callum Maloney scored his second on the hour with Elliot Jackson netting twice on 65 and 70 minutes to give Eccleshall a comfortable win. 29/09/07 (Saturday) SCSLCC Chesterton 4 Eccleshall AFC 1 Eccleshall turned in a poor performance against their Division One opponents to crash out of the cup. Matt Walker opened on 39 minutes for Chesterton and Karl Charlton added a second on the stroke of half time. Half-time 2-0 Andy Garrett pulled a goal back for Eccleshall but Simon Vaughan on 70 minutes and Karl Charlton netted his second on 89 minutes secured their win. 22/09/07 (Saturday) SCSL Eccleshall AFC 0 Alsager Town 3 Eccleshall's lack of finishing power shifted the game into Alsager's favour with Jimmy McCarthy giving Alsager a half time lead. Two goals from Aaron Rigby on 75 and 88 minutes sealed Eccleshall's fate. 15/09/07 (Saturday) SCSL Eccleshall AFC 0 Wolstanton Utd 4 After a goalless first half, high flying Wolstanton took the lead through Martyn Davies on 52 minutes. Ashley Moran added a second after 75 minutes and Eccleshall were finished off after 86 minutes with two goals in a minute from Daniel Brown and Mark Grice. 08/09/07 (Saturday) SCSL Eccleshall 2-1 Goldenhill Wanderers Eccleshall took the lead on 25 minutes through Andy Garrett with Godfrey Johnson equalising five minutes later. Half-time 1-1. Eccleshall pressure finally told when Tom Evans gave Eccleshall the points on 82 minutes.
01/09/07 (Saturday) SCSL Florence 2 - 1 Eccleshall Reserves Florence took a 1-0 lead into the break with a goal from Adam Bettany. Mark Silverstone added a second for the home side after the break, Andy Garrett scored for Eccleshall with five minutes remaining. 20/08/07 (Monday) SCSL Eccleshall Reserves 4 - 4 Ashbourne United An enthralling encounter at Pershall Park produced goals galore and an incredible run of events. Eccleshall came out clearly motivated by their pre-match instructions. First out of the blocks, Eccleshall took the lead in the first minutes while many fans were still taking their seats. This was quickly followed by another two goals, all within 16 minutes of the kick-off! Star striker Andy Garrett grabbing 2 with another added by Steve Jones. Any fans late arriving due to congestion around Pershall Park would not have believed their eyes. Eccleshall had strung together combinations of rapid passes to expansive movement with startling results. The tide was about to turn as Ashbourne came right back following suit. Chance after chance went begging with Eccleshall very much on the back foot. Despite dogged defending from Mallaband and Bradshaw with the usual spectacular performance from sourdough stopper Edmondson, Ashbourne pulled themselves back into the game eventually pulling level at an astonishing 3-3. An average of 8 minutes per goal is value for money by any standards, let alone the quality of football on show. The second half started with the same desire and commitment from both teams, though entertaining the 6 goals could not be matched! Ashbourne took the game to Eccleshall fully in the ascendancy. The lead goal came to Ashbourne, Mooney hammering an unstoppable, dipping strike past old-guard keeper Edmondson. The game continued at a furious pace, chances falling to both sides. Brown rifling a shot past the visitor's keeper only to see it rebound violently back to a defender while at the other end Edmondson was in action tipping a point black effort over the bar for a corner. The Eagles' equalizer arrived in the 84th minute courtesy of set-piece specialist Steve Jones' pinpoint corner. Driven into Calum Maloney at the near post, the substitute deftly placed his pass back to on-charging Carl Bradshaw who struck the ball calmly into the goal. A 4-4 draw being a fair result leaving both sets of supporters reflecting on the many positives. Another large crowd will be arriving home more than satisfied with the entertainment on view. Once again, a number of scouts were spotted at Pershall Park with one admitting that star striker Andy Garrett to be the focus of their match-notes. Judging by tonight's performance, those notes will be full of praise and promise. Goalscorer and Rudyard Kipling fan Carl Bradshaw commented the opening quarter was, "Pure poetry." Noticebly, both managers were shocked at the lack of injury time played as the referee (who had an outstanding game) blew for time on exactly 45mins. Manager Rob Askey selflessly proclaimed, "I just felt sorry for the fans." James Askey exclaimed, "Isuppose it makes up for the Rocester ref's injury time!" The reserves have no fixture for over a week until they visit Foley on Wednesday 29th August, 6.30pm kick-off. Lineup: Edmondson, Haynes, Heard C, Mallaband, Bradshaw, Johnson M, Jones S, Gleave, Heard D, Brown, Garrett. Substitutes: Lewis, Maloney C, Askey L, Page. 13/08/07 (Monday) SCSL Eccleshall Reserves 2 - 2 Rocester Eccleshall started brightly with a very young side keen to show they were ready to compete at this level. They were re The game settled down with some entertaining football from both sides although neither keeper was put under sustained pressure. Half-time was reached with no addition to the score. The second half began in similar fashion. The deadlock was broken when Mark James made a mazy and prolonged run from right-back, eventually finding himself pushed to the ground just inside the left hand side of the Rocester box. The resulting penalty confidently slotted home by young, sanguine midfielder Luke Askey. Rocester retaliated strongly without immediate reward. However, their desire to draw level also left them exposed down both wings and a number of rapid, potent Eccleshall breaks had to be dealt with by the Romans' defence. Eccleshall made changes after 78 minutes, bringing on the fresh legs of Chris Heard and Ben Marriott to replace captain Kev Page and goalscorer Jones. Eccleshall were now under some pressure, yet resolute defending by the immense figure of Ridley aided by league debutant Bigham kept Rocester at bay. With only 5 minutes of the game remaining, the Eagles were forced to use their third and final substitute. Rob Haynes came on to replace left winger Elliott Jackson who had been left prostrate by a robust challenge for a number of minutes as the referee incomprehensibly refused medical attention when the game had stopped. Simultaneously, Manager Rob Askey was ordered from the technnical area following a disagreement with the referee. Rocester applied pressure on the Eccleshall defence as the final minutes were ebbing away. Eventually, the pressure told in the 5th minute of injury time. An awkward challenge on keeper Edmondson and failure to clear the attack eventually resulted in the ball finding the back of the net. A further 3 minutes into injury time, a contentious penalty was awarded following a dubious handball by substitute Chris Heard. Justice was seen to be done as keeper Edmondon reacted swiftly, diving to his left to push the spot-kick away.
Ultimately, following an inexplicable 10 minutes of stoppage time, the referee brought an entertainning game to a close. Both sides having had excellent opportunities to take all 3 points. Manager Askey exclaimed, "I'm speechless. An excellent game - I just feel sorry for the players who deserved more for their endeavours!" Injured captain, Carl Bradshaw was in attendance, "What fantastic entertainment! You don't get to see what I've seen today, everyday!" First team manager Mark Askey was also impressed with a number of performances and it is expected that some of these young players will be making their senior debuts in the near future. The Reserves are at home against Abbey Hulton United this Saturday August 18th, kick-off 2.30pm. Lineup: Edmondson, James, Johnson M, Ridley, Bigham, Jones P, Jackson, Page, Askey L, Heard D, Edwards. Substitutes: Heard C, Hissey, Marriott, Haynes
02/08/07 (Thursday) Eccleshall Reserves 0 - 0 Walsall Wood An evenly fought contest against Walsall Wood of the midland Alliance. Another good result against a team expected to be much stronger. Manager Rob Askey was pleased with a string of players. Defenders James Mallaband and Mark Mapperson were particularly impressive and look to have a good chance of forming a stout defensive line for the reserves this season. 31/07/07 (Tuesday) Stone Dominoes 2 - 1 Eccleshall Reserves An early kick-off (as Dominoes Stadium is not yet completed) showed an array of attacking and energetic football from both sides. Dominoes began the match as strong favourites due to their standing as a member of NCFL Div 1 for more than 5 years, but the sides were more evenly matched than their league status might imply. Dominoes Park provides an advantage to any side that ettempts to play crisp, pacey football which is a characteristic of both the Eagles and Kevin Sheldon's relegated side. Forst blood went to Eccleshall. A nervous Dominoes defender, feeling the breathing of Lewis down the back of his neck, drastically underhit his backpass. The Eccleshall attacker picked up the loose ball and squared across the box to Sean Brown who showed an excellent touch as he controlled and switched feet before planting firmly into the goal. It was a just reward for Eccleshall's pressure following good work by Tomkinson. Stone hit back quickly. A saearching long pass throough the centre resulted in Edmondson clearing the ball for a corner. The corner was swung into the six-yard area where the experienced keeper made an uncharacteristic handling error. A seemiingly innocuous cross led to the ball fallingl kindly at the feet of the on-looking Dominoes' striker. He made no mistake firing home to level the scores. The half time whistle came shortly afterwards as the crowd applauded both sides for their adventurous play. The second half followed in a similar vein. Both sides attacked creating good chances but without the end product to match. Previous Eccleshall crowd favourite, Adam Challinor played solidly in midfield for the home side. A number of Eccleshall debutants gave manager Askey selection headaches with a string of strong performances, notably Grant Bigham and Adam Tomkinson showing real potential. Eventually, the favourites ran out winners with a headed goal mid-way through the second half. Both sides will take real heart from their performance. Eccledshall in particular showing their strength in-depth being able to field two strong sides on the same evening (1st team playing away at Hanley Town). Dominoes need not feel too disheartened at their narrow margin of victory; they played their part and also showed every reason why they should produce more points than last season. Lineup: Edmondson, James, Heard C, Bradshaw, Bigham, Lewis, Jackson, Askey L, Heard D, Edwards, Brown S. Substitutes: Tomkinson, Page, Hissey. 25/07/07 (Wednesday) (Arthur Eldon Trophy) Eccleshall Reserves 3 - 0 Foley A comprehensive display at Stone Alleynes H S gave the reserves their first victory of the pre-season. Manager Robert askey had his ground staff preparing the venue from mid-day to ensure that both teams had every chance of playing the highest quality football. That included having goals from Stoke City transported to the ground. Striker Paul Edwards entertained the fans with a 'perfect hat-trick'. His first being a header which gave the Eagles a narrow 1-0 lead at the break. Two followed the break, one from each foot to cap a wonderful display up front. Impressive displays were shown by a number of players including debutant Chris Heard in the left-back slot. Captain Paul Ridley marshalled the defence well and guided the youngsters to reach his expectations. Old head Kev Page had an inspirational second half, winning a number of strong challenges and making the referee earn his money for 45 minutes. Welcome returns were made by defender Mark Mapperson (45 mins) and goalkeeper Tom Hissey (80mins) both fresh from University. Winger Elliot Jackson (65 mins) also made his first appearance of the season. 'Eggy' had been sidelined having picked up a mystery affliction whilst holidaying abroad. Mark James, a new signing from Stone Dominoes, played well for 80 minutes before suffering with cramp late on; perhaps the result of being able to attend only one training session so far. While striker Edwards may be picking up the hat-trick headlines, his partner Sean Brown pleased his manager with an outstanding performance in a new role - leading the front-line. Manager Rob Askey was pleased with the game saying that the team had made significant strides over the preceding training sessions. "Coaches Dale and Worthington are really making a difference with their fitness and technique programme and they deserve recognition," a humble Mr Askey modestly stated. "A fully fit Paul Edwards is just the fillip this club and I need to get me excited for this season," said a feverish Seve Bradbury (1st team Asst Manager), "Rob Askey and Steve Slater deserve every credit for getting this venue upto our standards." Lineups - Edmondson, James, Heard, Ridley (Cap), Mallaband, Lewis, Maloney C, Askey L, Bradshaw, Edwards, Brown. Substitutes - Mapperson M, Page, Maloney A, Jackson, Hissey. 19/0707 (Thursday) (Friendly) Goldenhill Wanderers 2 - 0 Eccleshall Reserves The Reserves lost their opening friendly of the 2007/08 campaign. On a difficult surface with a number of uncut areas the young charges gave an excellent account of themselves before finally losing without reply. Manager Rob Askey chose to provide no less than 9 youngsters with their introduction to men's football. The debutants handled themselves well against a buoyant opposition and could have scored 2 or 3 had some excellent chances been converted. Some impressive touches were shown by the youngsters, especially Danny Herd early on in the first half. Central defender James Mallaband showed that last year's experience had paid off with an assured performance when introduced in the second period. The crowd were thrilled by substitute keeper Edmondson's "wonder save", again reflecting the Eccleshall Stalwart's experience at this level. An enjoyable run-out where all players were given at least 45 minutes. Given the circumstances, it was a pleasing performance and the club feel extremely optimistic about their future with the character and talents of the youngsters on display. Manager Rob Askey commented, " It was difficult for both sides to perform to their potential on this surface and the result could have gone either way. There were encouraging signs from a young team with 9 debutants." Assistant Manager Steve Slater suggested that the camaraderie and team spirit was clear for all to see, " I look forward to moulding this group using the same techniques which formulated my previous successes. There is real potential at this club!" 1st team Manager Mark Askey thought it unfair to make any important judgements due to the problematic play of the pitch. An invigorated Steve Bradbury (1st team Assistant Manager) claimed that these were exactly the sort of matches which whetted his appetite for the forthcoming season, " The ground and the enthusiasm of the opposition tonight have left me eagerly anticipating this season even more than ever," he said. Coaches Dave Dale and Gary Worthington were pleased with the levels of fitness already realized by the squad. The lads clearly gaining an advantage over forthcoming opposition due to the intensive physical programme initiated over the last month. Tonight's line-up: Todd, Holeraine, Hadjik, Sandy, Brice (Cap), Brown, Askey L, Herd D, Maloney C, Haynes, Edwards. Substitutes: Edmondson, James, Mallaband, Maloney A, Page, Evans.
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