Match Report: Eccleshill United 0-1 Worksop Town

The Eagles suffered their first defeat in the NCEL Premier Division this season after losing out in a closely fought game against Worksop Town.

Worksop Town are one of the favourites for promotion, however they were pushed by a strong Eccleshill United team in the first half.

Kick off was delayed for a short amount of time as the referee, Jamie Rhodes, wasn’t happy with Eagles’ goalkeeper Dom Smith wearing the same colour of socks as the opposition. Smith had to change his socks which delayed the start of the game.

The game finally started, and it was chances galore for Eccleshill United in the opening stages. Eccleshill United’s midfield and attacking outlet of Luke Harrop, Charlie Flaherty, Andy Cooper and Jonny Irving all combined well to create openings, for not only each other but also for Ben Grech and Chris Lever.

It was Jonny Irving who had the first real chance of the game, a solid 20 minutes in and Harrop was causing a nuisance for the Worksop defenders; a sublime curled cross met the head of Irving, last seasons’ player of the season agonisingly glancing his header inches wide.

The away side looked very positive on the ball and were structured well which meant they kept the ball well and tried minimising any attacking routes for the Eagles.

However, some great link up play from Eccleshill defeated Worksop’s structure for a few moments, some great passing which unfortunately ended with a slightly overhit cross from right-back Matt Stor which travelled goal wards and gave the Eccleshill United faithful a look of optimism.

Just before Worksop showed their class, Eccleshill came close again twice, minutes after each other Harrop drilled the ball across the goal which got struck past everyone, and then on the half an hour mark the attacker had an effort just sail over from 25 yards.

A lot of missed opportunities from the Eagles which would have given the away side some hope that Eccleshill just couldn’t put the ball in to the back of the net, but neither could Worksop, coming close with a header which was glanced on to the top of the netting.

Also, a shot from 30 yards out by a Worksop midfielder beat ‘keeper Dom Smith, however the effort was just short of a goal, hitting the woodwork.

It was goalless at the break in what was a very entertaining opening 45 minutes, both sides had their fair share of chances. It was all to play for in the second half.

The second half was an even more of an open game, although it proved to be slightly stop and start, with the referee choosing to explain the decisions he made.

After the hour mark the away side opened the scoring, a Matt Stor clearance was headed back in to the path of a Worksop player who volleyed the ball perfectly past Dom Smith in the Eccleshill goal.

The game died down after a while, however Eccleshill United did come close to getting an equaliser, Eagles captain Sam Bradley looped a half volley over the keeper which which was cleared on the line, a few shouts of goal, but nothing was given. Also, a close-range header from Hollingworth went over the bar.

Eccleshill ended up recording their first loss in the league this season they now prepare to face Leeds based opposition Garforth Town on Wednesday night, in what will be an important match for Sean and his players to try bounce back in.

Written by Rohit Bains