This was the 5th match between us and Ecclesall in the last 5 months, each one was tight and todays was no exception.

Heavy depleted once again due to a school trip, the team saw a few changes for this cup clash. With the visitors currently leading the table and ourselves sat in 3rd this was going to be a close one.

Both sides started brightly and both missed half chances, we continued to try and play good passing football depsite the heavy conditions on our tired looking home pitch.
The first 20 minutes ended all square, but then a slight tactical change moving ben h out onto the left and pushing luke g up front worked wonders as luke followed up his own shot to slot home to put us 1-0 up.
This was a fantastic all round team performance with the boys working their socks off, jak, charlie, luke, and alex all worked tirelessly and tried to play football , in defence Dan b was excellent again winning all his tackles and his reading of the game and passing is now top notch, he was backed up by impressive performances from luke fn and ben d, and when the visitors did break through they found matthew in goal in great form, making 4 wonderful saves and quite rightly taking the mom.

The 2nd game started just like the first game, both sides pushing forward and trying to play football, issac went close with a couple of efforts after great play by jak and joe.
In a tight game the next goal was going to be vital and when Joe wriggled past 2 defenders his shot somehow went through the keepers legs to put us 2-0 up and in a great position.

Eccelsall then with nothing to lose came at us and their dangerman made it 2-1 but our strong defence led again by our captain marvel Harry held firm to clinch a place in the next round.
This was again a great all round team effort, joe and isaac and working the wide areas superbly well at the moment, tyler was given a job to mark their dangerman and hardly let him out of his pocket, Nathan at the back was just typical Nathan again not letting anyone past, jak showed today there is more to his game than just scoring by playing in a variety of positions to help out the team, bradders showed good link up play when he came on and great handling and kicking from mr cool lewis ensured a whole all round good team performance
Harry took the mom for yet another first class defending performance

managers verdict -
A great result against a really good side, maybe not our best footballing performance but the boys today showed total effort and commitment to the team and maybe the most important thing, they showed the will to win, the desire and passion (take note swfc).
Despite all the hard work and grafting we are still trying to play football which is pleasing to see.
I have a nice problem now next week on who to play with a full available squad and an even bigger problem trying to fit in cancelled league games due to our cup run but a its a nice problem to have.
Well done again boys, keep it going.