Match Preview

Eccleshill United welcome the league leaders and local rivals, Yorkshire Amateurs to the Mitton Group Stadium today for the second game of 2019.

It is set to be an action-packed game between two of the NCEL’s best attacking and free-flowing sides, especially two that know each other as well as Yorkshire Amateurs and Eccleshill United.

It was today's visitors who pipped the Eagles to automatic promotion last season with the team’s previous encounter at the Mitton Group Stadium on the final day of last season. With a winner takes all game it was Yorkshire who came out on top that day, leaving Eccleshill to achieve the same goal through the Play-Offs.

Since then both teams have taken to the NCEL Premier Division like a duck to water, much like next week’s opponents, Knaresborough Town, who have also adapted to the new challenge incredibly well.

Yorkshire currently sits at the top of the NCEL Premier Division and are on the hunt for back to back promotions, but also head into the game on the back of a defeat to Garforth Town.

The visitors will be hoping to quickly get back to form after what has been a difficult festive period for the club, securing only one victory in the past four games, with a draw and two defeats also taking place.

Sean Regan’s men head into the game on quite the opposite run, having gone nine games unbeaten, with seven victories and two draws making up the impressive run that the squad will be aiming to push into double digits against Yorkshire.

The Eagles will be well aware of the attacking threats that Yorkshire have with their quick pass and move football and NCEL Premier Division top goal scorer, Ashley Flynn, who has bagged an impressive 29 goals already this campaign leading the line.

However, Eccleshill United have an impressive defensive record this season, ranking fifth in the NCEL and Sam Bradley and his back four will be hoping to follow in Garforth's footsteps last week in recording a clean sheet.

At the opposite end of the pitch, the squad will be hoping to continue the impressive work in front of goal which has seen some fantastic finishes during the unbeaten run.

With top goal scorer, Jake Thompson and Khurram Shazad both in fine form and the returning Thomas Dugdale all looking to cause problems, the Eagles are sure to be asking questions of the Yorkshire defenders.

One man who would love to get on the scoresheet is Adam Shaw, who will play against his former club for the first time since signing for Eccleshill United today.

With two teams desperate for a result and the bragging rights in the latest chapter of this epic encounter, it is sure to be a cracking game to warm any Winter’s day.