After three blank Saturdays with no fixture (two postponed games), Eccleshall went into the Christmas period with two games in 48 hours. First up was a Boxing Day match at league newcomers Allscott Heath, the game having a 12.30pm kick off at the request of both teams. The early start did not affect the Eagles as a Liam Hallam goal on twenty minutes was enough to clinch the points and continue the recent good run of away victories. Moving on to last Saturday, lowly Shawbury United (another new side to the division) were the visitors to Pershall Park with manager Liam Kelly wanting to maintain the momentum but equally aware that similar games in the past have proved to be a 'banana skin fixture'.

In front of a decent 102 attendance, Eagles were quickly out of the blocks and went in front after just two minutes. It was Liam Hallam again finding the net to notch his ninth goal of the season. In truth, Eagles missed a number of good chances in the first half to increase the lead but had to be content with that one goal lead at the interval. However, they doubled the lead within a minute of the restart with Tom Messham finishing off a good through ball. Another decent pass on 57 minutes led to Messham again firing home and further chances went begging to increase the score line. Disappointingly, Eccleshall didn't manage to keep a clean sheet with the visitors pulling a goal back with the last kick of the game - there wasn't even time to restart.

Maximum points from the two games was a good way to finish 2024 and Liam Kelly was pleased with the mindset of his players considering the break in fixtures. He now looks forward to Saturday 4. January with Alsager Town the visitors to Pershall Park. The Bullets have been around the top of the league all season (currently lie in 5th place) and will be looking for revenge as Eccleshall won the reverse fixture back in November with a 3-2 score line. Kelly will be looking to continue this run of form as the Christmas victories pushed Eagles up to eighth place and only nine points off the current play-off positions.

Best wishes for the New Year from all at Eccleshall FC.