That was the upshot of Saturday’s game versus Euxton Villa which ultimately cost the Eagles 3 points..
With a few defensive injuries this forced changes to the Eagley side seeing Billy Worthington back between the sticks for the injured Tom Macdonald who is recovering from a punctured lung, of which we all wish him a speedy recovery. Finlay Coward returned at left back with player/manager Whaley taking the right back role, and Conor Close into the midfield.
Eagley started brightly and were rarely troubled by Euxton as they pushed on creating some good chances. Then the referee saw a handball in the Euxton box and the Eagles were awarded a penalty. Heath Ainscow stepped up and fired it high into the top right hand corner but the Euxton keeper Shaun Gibbs pulled off a great save and got a safe hand to push it wide. Eagley continued pressing but just couldn’t break the deadline with it remaining nil nil at the break.
After ten minutes into the second half a good move by Euxton saw them onrushing down the wing, and a great ball into the Eagley box found the unmarked head of Greg Johnstone who made no mistake for 1 nil. Eagley then continued to dig deep and after a great ball to Whaley (who was now playing forward) fell to his feet, he couldn’t beat the keeper who again saved well to keep it out. Then in the dying minutes another good Eagley move found the quick feet of Joe O’keefe who rounded the Euxton defence with ease and with just the keeper to beat blasted it over the bar. And that summed it up for the Eagles’ day as they lost 1 nil where they were made to rue their missed chances, but with some positive performances from returning players Worthington and Coward all was not lost.
We spoke to Eagley assistant boss Scott Derbyshire after the game who was clearly disappointed at the result;
‘We played well and should of got something from the game, but it wasn’t to be! I can’t blame the lads as they did well, we just couldn’t get that goal, and I think it was one of those games where we were never going to score no matter how long we played.’
Meanwhile the reserves made the trip up to Milnthorpe Corinthians where the game was played on a 3G pitch. Due to a minor road traffic accident before hand it left the team short on numbers so they were always going to struggle. But under the temporary management of striker Oli Clarke they put up a good fight of it and gave the Corinthians a good game but they soon broke the eagles down started to get on top. The final score was 5-2 for Milnthorpe, with Eagley scorers Clarke from the spot, and Taylor Jones with a well worked goal.