Eccleshall kicked off their tough festive season programme with a local derby against high flying Whitchurch Alport at Yockings Park.
The Eagles started well, forcing a corner in the first minute of the game. However, they went behind after five minutes when a great crossfield ball found Dean Twigg. Matt Johnson appeared to slip as he came out to block and the former Eagles player fired past him into the corner of the net. Moments later, the same player forced a good save out of Johnson. As Eccleshall looked to equalise, Louis Downs forced a good save out of Danny Read in the Alport goal. A good through ball by Jack Warren found Downs racing clear and his cross was headed for a corner by Nersesyan. Alport skipper Simon Everall then fired just wide of the post. The Eagles continued to press and a cross by Harvey Collins forced Read to tip over the bar for a corner. New signing Kieran Brown outpaced Nick Marley but his effort was wide of the post. Alport were looking to find Everall and exploit his pace against the Eagles defence. As half time approached, Johnson twice fumbled the ball but the danger was cleared. Then Alport almost went two up when Aaron Johns found Twigg but he screwed his shot wide of the post.

Half time – Whitchurch Alport 1 Eccleshall 0

Eccleshall were quickly out of the blocks again and Brown was almost through with Read to beat. Manager Dave Dale made a change, replacing Travis Johnson with Jake Standbridge. The game was more even as the half progressed, with Eccleshall looking for an equaliser. However, they had a scare when the ball appeared to go out for a goal kick but it was cut back and Everall put his shot over the bar. Alport did get their second goal on 65 minutes when Lewis Dunn slipped and the move forward found Sean Griffiths in the box and he fired into the roof of the net. Eccleshall were still playing their passing game as they tried to find a way back and Downs had another effort which was over the bar. Dave Dale introduced Tom Wakefield and Jordan Bennion to the action but Alport had another chance when Mike Blundell’s effort was just over the bar. The Eagles won a free kick outside the box but Downs’ shot was well over. Right on full time, another Alport attack led to the ball being cleared off the line.

Full time – Whitchurch Alport 2 Eccleshall 0

Eccleshall: M Johnson, Collins, Dunn, Downie, Thomas, Warren, Needham (Bennion), Finney, Brown (Wakefield), T Johnson (Standbridge), Downs.

Eccleshall move on to another away game on Boxing Day, facing fifth placed Alsager Town (3.00pm kick off) and are at home on Saturday 30. December to second placed Litherland REMYCA again with a 3.00pm kick off.