After two Saturday's of postponements, The Eagles finally arrive back into action tomorrow afternoon when they travel to Wakefield to play Hemsworth Miners Welfare. The hosts come into the game playing once since the last time Eccleshill United played. Hemsworth lost that solo game 1-2 against the top of the league Worksop Town.
The two sides previously met this season back in November when a late Jassim Alali header got fumbled over the line to save the Eagles a point after Nash Connolly put the visitors ahead after fifty-two minutes. A crowd of nintey-one was in place at the Mitton Group Stadium to witness the even-contest.
Saturday's game is predicted to portray another close outing when going off form. Although going off the league table, it is Hemsworth that are currently better off. They sit six places better off than the Eagles, and the fifth-placed side is also twelve-points clear than the visitors. But, Eccleshill United do have three games in hand. Therefore, it is mathematically possible for Eccleshill United to catch Hemsworth if they were to defeat them tomorrow and then go on to win their games in hand.
Although this has not been a common fixture of late in the NCEL - it still doesn't rule out any history and connection. As one of Eccleshill United's longest-serving players, Matty Stor, used to play for Hemsworth Miners Welfare. Stor spoke to the media and gave a quick quote going into the game.
"Enjoyed my time at Hemsworth, the club is well run and has some top people there! Be good to see some old faces," explained Matty Stor when preparing to return to his old stomping ground.
Hemsworth's star men going into the game are most-certainly Bradley Dockerty and Nash Connolly. Dockerty has scored an immense nineteen league goals so far this season and has played in all of Hemsworth's matches so far in the league. The former initially mentioned, Connolly - has bagged sixteen goals so far this season - one of those against Eccleshill United.
Steve Jeff is another name that stands out, this will be his third game this season against Eccleshill United - having played twice for Goole AFC earlier this campaign against the Eagles. One of those games for Goole was him partaking as the Goole AFC player-manager.
As for Sean Regan's men, Khurram Shazad has not stopped scoring of late, and his February Player of The Month accolade reflects that. Shazad has notched up six goals in his last eleven matches. Shazad and fellow attacker, Jake Thompson have been the Eagles main threat in the last few weeks, as well as Adam Shaw who scored his sixth goal for the club last time out.
Regan will be thrilled with the number of availabilities he will have under his sleeve, with the new signing of Kamron Basi (Aran Basi's brother) having signed for the club. Also, it should be said that the come back of Jonny Irving has brought a fresh drive for the squad, and the attacker may only be returning to the side of recent, however, he has looked like making an impact when back to one-hundred per cent.
As injuries go - Jack Bentley remains an absentee. Luke Harrop pulled out early into the second half last time out - so, Regan may take a precaution with Harrop. Players such as Chris Lever, Ryan Hargreaves and Nathan Woodward will be pushing for starts/minutes after their substitution appearances of late.