Eccleshall secured their place in the First Division South play-off positions after their win against Cheadle Heath Nomads last Saturday. With the other possible challenger alongside Cheadle Heath, Ashville, also losing, it meant that Eagles could not be caught and they gained the final play-off spot in a season where they produced a decent run of form, particularly away from the Stoke Signage Stadium. In fact, where it would be expected that a promotion run would be built on a strong home record, the team's away form has proved to be phenomenal. As manager Liam Kelly commented: "12 wins and three draws in the last 15 games away from home is a mental record in this league".

With the play-off matches being based on the final placings, 2nd will play 5th (Eccleshall's final placing) and 3rd will play 4th. The highest placed team in each fixture will have home advantage in the one-off match. Eccleshall's opponents will be either Stafford Town or Abbey Hulton United as both teams are currently on 66 points but Stafford have a game in hand. The play-off semi finals will take place on Saturday 19. April, with the final on the following Saturday ( 26. April - again, at the home of the highest placed team).

In a somewhat unique situation, all of the play-off positions in First Division South have been filled with local sides as the final side making up the semi-finals is Sandbach United.

Travelling to Cheadle on Saturday, the Eagles management team knew what had to be done - secure a win at a ground where previous seasons' games have usually been tight affairs and they were uncatchable. They set the tone when 'man of the moment', striker Macauley Taylor, netted his sixth goal in four games to give them the lead. Cheadle Heath equalised before half time and it was left to Tom Messham to score a second half penalty to put the Eagles in seventh heaven.

This is the highest position that Eccleshall have achieved in the lower tier of the North West Counties League in their membership of around 21 seasons and, accordingly, their first ever opportunity of achieving promotion to Step 5 in the National League Pyramid. With their final league game of the season this coming Saturday against Allscott Heath at home and a chance to cement their position, Eagles have managed to keep their run of form under the radar until the home straight. The management team will look to maintain their form to provide the best possible step towards the semi-final on Saturday 19. April, whoever their opponents may be.

Photo shows Macauley Taylor netting in the recent match against Market Drayton Town.