After last week’s disappointing defeat against Winsford United, Eccleshall were back in action at Pershall Park against Barnton. The visitors had won their home fixture earlier in the season. With a number of players missing through injury and unavailability, Liam Kelly had to test the strength of his squad. New signing Alex East from Stafford Rangers made his debut at left back.
Barnton got off to a good start and missed an early chance when Tyler Magee blazed well over the bar when well placed. It was Eagles’ turn to miss a good chance when a run down the right and cross by Kyle Diskin found Josh Waite, but he fired wide. Then, Barnton’s keeper, Patrick McLoughlin, had to run out to collect a good cross by Jay Ford. The game turned in Eagles favour on 29 minutes when referee Reddin showed a straight red card to the visitors’ Joseph Levey for an over-the-top tackle on Eagles’ skipper Mitch Glover. With half time approaching, Ford carved out a good opening, but his shot was just over the bar. However, the ten men of Barnton stunned the home supporters when they took the lead on 48 minutes. Lee Turkington ran through and fired across diving Eagles’ keeper William Blease to find the far corner of the net. Liam Kelly’s half time team talk now had to lift his Eccleshall troops to get back on terms in the second half.
HT: Eccleshall 0 Barnton 1
Whatever was said in the interval had an effect and, in Eagles’ first move forward, Waite hit the post with McLoughlin beaten. Eagles continued to press forward, and it was Waite again who set up another chance across the line which went begging for the final touch. Looking to make the extra man count, Eccleshall mounted wave after wave of attacks and they finally grabbled the equaliser on 56 minutes when a Diskin corner was headed home by Liam Hallam. Spurred on by this, it was debutant East who then got to the by-line, but his low cross evaded everyone. Kelly brought on Liam Tomlin for Tom Clare and Harry Baggaley replaced East as Eagles looked for the second goal. Tomlin was soon in the action as he headed over from close range. Then, Hallam was through, but McLoughlin dived at his feet to collect. Solomon Ashworth came on to replace Mark Groom who had pulled up injured before Barnton skipper William Avon had to head clear for a corner in another Eagles move forward. It was all Eccleshall now and, on 81 minutes, a Diskin shot hit the bar with McLoughlin beaten. The pressure finally paid off on 84 minutes when Eagles took the lead. Glover hit a rocket from 20 yards which McLoughlin could only watch as it hit the top corner of the net. Barnton tried to get back, but Blease was equal to their efforts. Alex Southwick-Williams and Harry Minshall came on and the former forced a corner after a run by Ford. Baggaley then went close in added time as Eagles played out the minutes.
FT: Eccleshall 2 Barnton 1
This was a welcome three points for the Eagles and Kelly will have been pleased by the performances of some of the fringe players in his squad. The result lifts them up to eighth place and thoughts will drift to some of the dropped points earlier in the season which could have seen the play-offs as a real possibility. Next up is a visit to high flying Abbey Hey a week on Saturday.
Eagles: Blease, Clare (Tomlin), East (Baggaley), Glover (H Minshall), Groom (Ashworth), Warren, Ford, Shelley, Waite (Southwick-Williams), Hallam, Diskin.
Referee: Lloyd Reddin
Attendance: 48