Match Details
Toolstation Northern East Counties Football League
Eccleshill United v Silsden AFC
Tuesday 29th March
7.45pm
The Mitton Group Stadium
Match Preview
A fierce local derby awaits on Tuesday as we make the short trip into Bradford to take on rivals Eccleshill United in what looks set to be an exhilarating fixture.
Having ended that unwanted winless run in our last game against Emley, the lads travel to The Mitton Group Stadium hoping to take points from another of the leagues high-flyers; having already snatched brilliant wins and draws against the likes of Garforth and new champions Grimsby, congratulations to them on their title also.
The fixture was originally to be played on Saturday 19th February but dismal weather called that one off. Our form since that game hasn’t been the greatest whilst our opposition have managed four wins, two losses and one draw in that time period, but having faced many of the teams around them recently and still being in the hunt for promotion, the Eagles will be treating this one as a must win game.
Eccleshill are level on points with 2nd placed Winterton but behind on goal difference and with just three games to go until the end of the season, every goal scored or conceded is crucial for them, but we are all aware of how form can go out of the window when it comes to a local derby.
Our previous fixture with tomorrow’s opposition ended in a 2-1 defeat, however there will be a fierce determination to set things straight this time out. Jack Normanton got the goal in that one, as well as two goals last time out against Emley taking his tally to 26 for the campaign. Luke Aldrich tops the Eccleshill scoring charts with 22 goals in all competitions so far.
Going into the game there are a few selection headaches for Danny. Ant Brown is currently suspended following his dismissal at Maltby last week but he will be available again for the final game of the season. Regular goalkeepers Kyle Welsh and Alfie Darke have also suffered injuries and will be unlikely to return in time for Tuesday’s game.
Stepping into their boots, or should we say gloves, is new signing George Dalton. Having been registered before the game on Saturday, Dalton had a great debut, keeping a clean sheet and making a number of good saves throughout the course of the game, including this one caught on camera by the Emley fans behind the goal…
— Silsden AFC (@SilsdenAFC) March 27, 2022
Having climbed up to 12th with our win, a top half finish is now firmly in our sights. On the other hand, Eccleshill’s promotion push relies on them picking up as many points as possible in their remaining games, especially considering the form of the other teams around them. Either way, we’re sure to be in for a real thriller of a derby tomorrow!
