Luke Harrop headed home the last minute winner for Eccleshill in the 4-3 victory over Hall Road Rangers
Luke Harrop headed home the dramatic 94th minute winner for Eccleshill United in the last gasp 4-3 victory over Hall Road Rangers last night.
The see-saw Toolstation NCEL Division One encounter was seconds away from finishing as a draw until Harrop intervened to secure Eccleshill’s first win in four games.
Goals are guaranteed at both ends at Eccleshill this season. Forty-seven have already been scored at their Mitton Group Stadium – 30 for and 17 against – the most at one ground in the Division.
So the visit of Hall Road did not disappoint after a quiet first half that Eccleshill were the better side in.
Adam Turner was a key player in the opener as his perseverance enabled him to cross for Harrop to score with his head at the back-post.
The home side were comfortably leading until poor defending presented Jon Blackston with an easy chance to equalise with seconds to go to half-time.
The second half was simply end-to-end. Turner quickly restored Eccleshill’s lead with a close range tap-in, but Hall Road still refused to go away.
Young goalkeeper James Beck tipped a Blakeston effort onto the crossbar before the home side completely switched off from a Darren Rookes in-swinging free kick that sailed straight in.
The visitors then took the lead for the only time in the game with Blakeston scoring at the second attempt.
But, Hall Road were always vulnerable at the back especially when big Jermaine Springer was in their box. The defender’s ability in the air caused numerous problems and Hall Road survived at least one goal-line scramble before Eccleshill leveller.
That was from a melee in the six-yard box and Turner was the scorer for the second time.
Even in the dying minutes, it was anyone’s game as Blakeston was denied his hat-trick by a goal-saving block.
That proved vital when Eccleshill launched an attack and Turner crossed for his strike partner Harrop to nod the winner home at the back-post.
Eccleshill United: Beck, Craven, Slater, Cooper (captain, Springer, Firth (Charles 76), Hardy, Trueman (Peltier 65), Turner, Harrop, Bartle. Subs unused: Kitson, Stead, Hammond.
Hall Road Rangers: Douglas, Garth, M Thompson, Harrison, D Thompson (Morrill 57), Walsh, Rookes, Foster, Blakeston, Hudson, Kinsley (Walker HT). Subs unused: O’Mally, Gemmell.
Referee: David Jones
Ref Rating: 10/10 (was excellent, rarely seen, but had complete control of the game)
Attendance: TBC
Man of the match: Adam Turner (Eccleshill United)
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