MATCH REPORT - ECCLESHALL HOME

Stockport Town FC 0 – 0 Eccleshall

Saturday 5th March 2022 @ Stockport Sports Village

Attendance – 197

Town’s starting line up – Schofield, Johnston, Edwards, Turnbull, Ebhote ©, Johnson, Green, Banda, Elstone, Tanswell – Vargas, Calligan. Subs; Essien, Oliver, Jackson, Osifo, Sharples

MOM – Paul Turnbull

No Score draw on an enjoyable afternoon at SSV

It was a bright sunny afternoon at SSV as Eccleshall were the visitors to Woodley. Town looking to pick up a double over the Staffordshire team.

A great crowd of 197 basked in the sunshine and Town looked to put on a great show, Captain Ebhote led the teams out with mascot Charlie Little Aged 4.

Player Manager Paul Turnbull lining up at Centre Half.

The Lions started the game very brightly dominating possession and playing some excellent Football, but it quickly became apparent that Eccleshall had set up to frustrate Town. Eccleshall a big physical side battled hard their point.

With 8 minutes on the clock Town mustered up their first chance of the game, a free kick routine between Calligan and Edwards is worked towards Striker Mike Elstone but his header whistled narrowly wide. Once again Elstone saw a snap shot saved again just 3 minutes later, when Johnston and Green combine well down the right – Town were on top at this point.

However Eccleshall forced Josh Schofield in Towns goal into a fantastic save down to his left to deny the visitors a Goal. It was an end to end game and now The Lions gained momentum and attached again, and again Elstone had a chance to score from range but his venomous effort flew over the bar and out for a goal kick.

The game seemed to be drifting towards Half Time without much action, but Calligan thought otherwise, he picked the ball up on the left just inside the Eccleshall half and beat two players before shooting on goal, his shot cannoned off the Keepers chest and cleared. The referee blew for Half Time and Turnbull & Jeffries had the chance to motivate their players for a big second half performance. Eccleshall no doubt very happy to go in a half time with the score 0-0.

The second half started much the same and Town attacked from the off, the ball fell kindly to Keith Banda just on the edge of the box but his powerful shot was well saved again by the Eccleshall keeper.

It was all Town in the second half with chances for Elstone and Calligan but it was Player/Manager and todays centre half Paul Turnbull who had the last chance to win the game but his fiercely hit shot in the last minute of the game went flying narrowly wide.

That was the last chance and The Lions picked up a point and claimed a clean sheet.

Fair play to Eccleshall who executed their game plan excellent.

Town’s next game is Tuesday 8th March where Wythenshawe Amateurs are the hosts, followed by a trip to Barnton on Saturday 12th March 2022