Toolstation NCEL Division One
Eccleshill United 1-0 Knaresborough Town
Luke Harrop celebrates after scoring the winner for Eccleshill
Luke Harrop’s solo strike settled a tight affair between high-flyers Eccleshill United and Knaresborough Town.
The Eccleshill forward struck with 15 minutes remaining to secure his side their second consecutive league victory.
It was probably a deserved win for Sean Regan’s men, who came really strong in the second half.
Threadbare Knaresborough had nine players, including Tom Woolard, Colin Heath and Matt Donnelly, but they started strongly as Brad Walker rattled the crossbar.
Eccleshill upped their gears towards the end of the first half as Harrop and Marcus Edwards both forced good saves out of Knaresborough goalkeeper Jack Rushworth.
Eccleshill were on top for a lot of the second half. While Knaresborough soaked it up, it felt inevitable that Eccleshill would get their golden chance.
That came when Harrop danced past several visiting defenders to score with a cool finish.
Action from Eccleshill 1-0 Knaresborough Town
Charlie Flaherty on the attack for Eccleshill
One of several unnecessary cautions by referee Neil Munday
Harrop’s team-mates join him to celebrate
What They Said
Eccleshill United manager Sean Regan
Knaresborough Town manager Paul Stansfield
The Teams
Eccleshill United: Stead, Stor, Shah, Flaherty, Bradley, Springer, Harrop, Singh (Trumman 65), Edwards (Turner 80), Cooper, Cusack. Subs unused: Hudson, Peltier, Neale.
Knaresborough Town: Rushworth, Powis, McDaid, Lenehan (captain), Cook, Parkes, Maulin, Hesketh, Cohen (Wilson 75), Walker, Carole. Sub unused: Lancaster.
Who Was In Charge
Neil Munday (6/10)
Referee Neil Munday
In a game in which he could have been anonymous, Mr Munday thrust himself into the limelight by taking ages while reprimanding players and issuing several unnecessary cautions.
How Many Were There
118
NLY Man of the Match
Luke Harrop (Eccleshill United)
Eccleshill forward Adam Turner