The North Yorkshire side were NCEL Division One champions last term, an accolade which was almost all but confirmed when they secured promotion against The Eagles back in April.

Eccleshill’s last outing was against Yorkshire Amateurs, yet another of the three sides promoted from the NCEL Division One last season. It wasn’t a happy return to Bracken Edge for The Eagles, as they were comfortably beaten by the Ammers 4-1 in a difficult game.

Similarly, Knaresborough were on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline in their last game too, with their defeat coming at the hands of Workington in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Their last league game saw them cruise to a 3-1 win over Athersley Recreation.

Not much separates the sides at the moment; Knaresborough sit in fourth place, with The Eagles not far behind in eighth. There is only a solitary point between the two, but The Eagles have however played one game more.

Sean Regan will see this game as an opportunity for his side to bounce back from a disappointing result and get back on track in the league, to continue climbing the table.

As previously mentioned, the last time these sides met is a fond memory for Knaresborough fans and players alike.

Despite Antony Brown netting a late equaliser for The Eagles to see the game finish 1-1, other results that day went in favour of Knaresborough and they were mathematically confirmed to be automatically promoted.

The sides played out two very intriguing games last season, with the other being a thrilling 5-2 win for Sean Regan’s men at home, after they went 2-0 down in the first half to end Knaresborough’s 17 game unbeaten streak.

All three promoted sides from last season have impressed so far this campaign, and they have all made it clear they aren’t in the league to make up numbers. That intensity and desire is what sets this game apart from others, and sets it up to be a very entertaining affair.