The first team had a ten goal thriller away on Saturday, and after a real hard working performance earned a great point against the league title contenders.
With the two new men Lee Brickles and Sam Knowles keeping their places, the only change after last week’s win against Burnley was young Conor Close coming in for the injured Joe O’keefe. From the start the Eagles were put under pressure especially by Charnock’s constant threat and ex Eagle Carl Grimshaw, and it was him who won a strong header and gave Charnock the lead on 10 minutes. But Eagley fought back and five minutes later Heath Ainscow found himself rounding the keeper for the equaliser. But Grimshaw again found the net on 23 minutes forcing Eagley to dig deep to get back in the game. That’s just what they did, and prior to the half time whistle it was Ainscow again who found the net for the Eagles, to go in all square at the break.
Charnock again started well, and after only minutes breached the Eagles defence with a great ball into the box, struck well by David Burrows to give Charnock the lead again, though yet again Eagley worked really hard and loose ball fell to Jack Horan in the box who struck it well high into the top corner for 3-3! But Eagley again couldn’t stop the goals coming and after a raised hand in the box by Andy Lindley the referee awarded Charnock a penalty. Who else but Grimshaw took it for the home side, and although Tom Macdonald nearly got there the result was a goal and 4-3.
With the bit between their teeth, Eagley kept fighting and were soon awarded a free kick in the area. Player/Coach Whaley led by example and a great hard strike went into the net for 4-4. Then two minutes later after a great through ball Ainscow was brought down in the box, and a penalty for the Eagles. Ainscow stepped up himself and hit it hard, and with a bit of luck from the post found the net for 5-4 in front, and his first Eagley hat – trick! But true to form the Eagles couldn’t hold on to the lead and Eagles substitute Dillon Ashton was judged to have fouled in the box. Grimshaw again made no mistake from the spot for his fouth of the day and Charnock equaliser. With minutes left Whaley found himself with a chance to round the keeper to win but a strong hand prevented him and it finished 5 each. A great game to watch, and sees Eagley grab another good point away, as they try to start to put a run together. To put 5 goals past a Charnock side at home is a feat itself which apparently hasn’t been done for 3 seasons, and was done then by Eagley!!
Meanwhile the reserves entertained CMB in the Houston Cup. They were led again by caretaker manager Neil Pickup, who after last week’s great league win was hoping for much the same. Sadly after only a few minutes, a poor Eagley clearance bounced back from a CMB forward and found the net. The Eagles struggled to then get a grip of the game and couldn’t stop a good CMB team who found the net three more times to win comfortably 4 nil.