23rd March 2019 - Eccleshall FC 4 v 3 Stockport Town - Up with the lark, out quicker than a fart from a laxative laden eel, down to Doxey Marshes with hopes higher than the voice of Jimmy Somerville on a helium bender. We arrived, spent a good while birding and saw some good species along the way, Little Egret, Great White Egret and Cattle Egret the most noteworthy. A call off at Sainsbury's for some scram was had and then to Pershall Park we went to have a sit in the car and replenish the batteries. After the bellies were filled we had a wander down a nearby country track and examined the hedgerows coming up with a good list of buglife including 40 Pied Shieldbugs, 1 Common Green Shieldbug, 1 Hairy Shieldbug and 3 species of Mining Bee amongst others. Wandering back to the ground and tea and chips was a must, a walk around the pitch was had and a chat with a few faces very much enjoyed. This game, according to recent results, looked set to be an away win but, as ever with this Non-League Lottery - anything goes. If anyone out there uses the form book for anything else than wiping their backside or making paper planes then they really do need to have a word with themselves - this is the North West Counties League - a realm of excitement, endless possibilities and unpredictability, in fact, I have a story to tell about these things, it goes something like this.
The embryonic action saw things level out and no team really gain the upperhand. Eventually the home lads cultivated the initial opportunity with a ball up and over landing at the feet of the pacey No 10 (Bradley Carr) who seemed surprised to be in a shooting position. The shank was swung, the ball propelled but the travelling No 1 (Andrei Stinca) stood his ground and proved to be an immovable force. A corner came, it had about as much quality as a diluted bottle of No Frills Vimto - as you were folks. The Ecky Army came once more, a sharp attack that saw a ball thread in the flying No 2 (Conor Docherty). The player at the apex of the onslaught had a chance to shoot, he hesitated before releasing, the ball was partially blocked, went loose and up popped No 3 (Lewis Dunn) to bumble the globe over the line and grab the oh so crucial first goal. The home heads looked delighted, the Lions slightly tamed, imagine the uproar in the resident ranks when they pilfered the ball from the kick off, No 9 (Thomas Wakefield) received near the halfway line and succeeded in audaciously chipping the keeper and doubling the home side's lead. What a goal, what a turn up - remember what I said about endless possibilities.
The Lions now had to pounce and press, they came on but looked a trifle disjointed up at the front. No 3 (Kieron McConnell) battled just outside the box and connected well with the ball that saw it fizz just the wrong side of the horizontal - a warning shot across the boughs perhaps? Eccleshall counterpunched from this scare, No 11 (Daniel Needham) was released, exposed applaudable pace and got a shot away that was sturdily blocked by a never-say-die defender. The Town bounced back, No 11 (George Blackwell) indulged in some tricky play, knocked a ball out wide that No 10 (Kiarno Samms) gathered at the angle. The player in possession looked to cut in and cross but instead let fly with grim determination and blistered one right into the meat of the mesh - what a solid strike, this one was far from over folks.
The guests now displayed a far better attitude and approach than previously seen in this gripping game. 2 corners came, the second ended with Samms bulging the side netting. Eccleshall had a corner of their own, the delivery found Needham who exhibited feet quicker than Tommy Steele on steroids, the shot however was blocked by yet more resolute defending. The Eck advanced again, Wakefield used decent strength to play an exquisite crossfield ball that Docherty collected. The latter player rasped in a daisy beheading sizzler that begged for the touch of an assassin, alas the killer was absent, what a pity! A break followed, a home player got a stern talking to and a yellow card for a clumsy tackle. Shots came each end, both were easily dealt with by the protectors of the mesh and then another saucy tackle impeded the flow. A free-kick for the travellers came, in the ball went and then sent the other way with Ecky's Needham on the run. The goal beckoned, the chance to shoot on offer, alas for the hosts Stockport's No 2 (Joshua Robinson) produced a stunning tackle and killed the danger stone dead. That looked to be it, the first 45 was almost done but there was still a twist in the frisky tail with Stockport Town marauding at the death, No 9 (Gavin Salmon) was on it just outside the box, was bungled down and thus earned a gratis boot. Up stepped No 8 (Robert Lofthouse), he eyed his spot, wallop - the sickener for the hosts had been dealt, the smash and grab equaliser for the visitors earned - when the referee blew for the break all in attendance were surely in agreement - this was an unpredictable beauty!
A cuppa for the break, a chat with a few fine folk, the weather was spot on, the warm friendly atmosphere of the ground readily noted, what more could anyone ask for besides a full-English breakfast, an Indian buttock message, a lifetime supply of pies and the gift of eternal life for me and my loved ones - hey ho, perhaps I am a trifle to demanding?
The teams came back out, The Town had an early free-kick that found the crust of Salmon who could only knock it wide, the hosts responed with a corner that saw Wakefield put in a close header that was sweetly tipped over the bar. Corners followed each end, no explosive joy was had and then the home lads earned a free-kick on the edge of the box that Wakefield struck well but was easily collected by the alert mittman. In return Robinson for Stockport was at the end of a multi-pass move with his shot saved, dropped and gathered at the second attempt. To the opposite end we went, a free-kick the other way, Robinson popped one in, it was over by mere inches. The game was anyone's for the taking, a patchy period saw both teams reluctant to gamble and push with any adventure. The visitors made a few changes, Eccleshall had 4 corners on the bounce, the first 3 went into the great footballing almanac labelled as 'pointless' the last however entered the danger zone, was knocked out and returned with interest by Docherty who drilled through the pack and regained his side the much desired lead. It was another great strike, it was indication of a team dragged back into combat but not prepared to give up anytime soon - excellent indeed.
Within minutes of this highpoint a tussle led to an Eccleshall free-kick. The ball was sent forth with good elevation and middling pace. The keeper came, misread the flight of the orb and was just in time to see the loose ball fall to Carr who slammed home and give his side another 2 goal cushion. The home supporters faces blossomed with sincere delight, the 11 creators of the joy looked over the moon, all the hosts had to do now was tighten the ranks and see this one out for 3 valuable points. The minutes ticked, there were 10 to go when suddenly Samms for The Town should resilience out wide, knocked in a cross that No 7 (Reece Skelton) latched onto and made this one 4 - 3- wow!
Into the dregs we went, it was a touch and go period with the referee seemingly the owner of a busted ticker and thus creating a situation of warped time. The travelling pack hussled and harried, the hosts answered each and every challenge and bust many a gonad trying to protect their now fragile lead. 2 half chances were all that came for the trailing pack, both snuffed out with relative ease by a perspiring unit who desperately wanted this one. At the death the home keeper cracked a long ball forth to ease the pressure, Wakefield was on the end of it and with a tired carcass hit a first time shot that crawled wide - it could have been icing on the cake but as it transpired, it didn't matter as the man in black blew for full-time soon after and the 3 points stayed at Pershall Park. The Man of the Match was a tricky decision but for me, No 6 (Callum Feeney) was a highly disciplined component in the Eccleshall ranks and went about his business with quiet authority that contributed more to this win than many may guess. The work rate was high, the efficiency applaudable, for me this was an example of a reliable nucleus around which much opportunity was created. So, farewells to many smiling faces, an adios and congratulations to the amiable club secretary Jim Tunney and homeward bound we went - what a good do hey!
FINAL THOUGHT - Desire is a bold commodity - it can achieve great things! Today Eccleshall wanted it more than their opponents, they grafted with unstoppable ardour and worked throughout the 90 minute stretch and beyond. Stockport Town are no mugs, they came, they tried, they were just outdone by a hungrier machine Hell-bent on the end triumph. In truth, the guests looked a bit tired today and perhaps after their stunning 8 - 0 win last week were a trifle out of focus and not as motivated as they should have been. This had been a wake up call and if a team wants to achieve the only way to do it is with consistency and a willingness to shift the shit week in and week out - this I feel is a small blip, they will be back for sure. Eccleshall today had passion and urgency, come the end many legs were drained, many brows dripping and many lungs burning but, success had been achieved and without persistent hardwork and belief the story could have been oh so different. I think the team did themselves proud today and of course gave their fine supporters a day to remember. Eccleshall have a great set up here, the ambience of the place, the old school ground and rugged reality of the place is what Non-League is about and I don't think anyone (including the visitors) could go away with any complaints - this had been a fine advertisement for a game severely overlooked - applause must go to both teams and all who turned up. Remember, we are blessed folk to be witnessing matters at grassroots level, today we had been given more proof of why overlooked football is the best - keep on folks, never give in and bloody well enjoy (I know we did).
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