This weekend saw a better result with the 1st team picking up an away point and the reserves taking all three!
Whaley’s men made the short trip to Euxton Villa where after last week’s disappointment needed something from the game. They started well and from the kick off resulted in an Eagles corner. The pressure continued but Eagley after hitting the bar just couldn’t get the ball in the net. Then after a challenge with Eagley’s right back Dillon Ashton an Euxton player kicked out towards him and saw an instant red, but after more pressure Euxton hung on to the break with 10 men.
The second half was much of the first and the Euxton defence were struggling to cope with Eagley’s forward Joe O’keefe, but just as the 1st half we couldn’t find the net. Three changes by Euxton had been made and in the last 10 minutes an injury saw them down to 9 men. Eagley upped the pressure and only a fine save kept out O’keefe yet again from sealing the 3 points. But Euxton rode it out and I think if the game had continued another hour still no goal would of appeared. On the plus side it was a solid performance from Eagley, who left disappointed with only one point instead of three…
Meanwhile, the reserves were at home to Croston Sports, and Neil Pickup’s men were also putting them under pressure right from the off creating chances. And it was Eagley who broke the deadlock, with Oli Clarke firing them into the lead. Then soon after a well taken finish saw him take his second of the game, and that’s how it stayed at the break, but if Eagley had converted all their chances it should of been more.
The Eagles continued the second half in the same vein, creating more chances but whilst maintaining discipline and structure. They couldn’t find the third goal to kill off the game but continued to work hard and saw out the match to earn a convincing victory. We caught up with manager Neil Pickup after the game who was delighted with his team’s performance; ‘ The lads were great today, with a fantastic performance and keeping a clean sheet. We had character and the positive play created chance after chance.’ The lads will hopefully take this into next week’s game versus local rivals Turton FC.