Passion play a plus for Eagles (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Passion play a plus for Eagles

10:29am Thursday 15th January 2009 in Sport By Ian Whiting

ECCLESHILL UNITED are still propping up the Kool Sport Northern Counties East League Premier Division but will have taken heart from their performance in the midweek derby at Dennyfield.

The Eagles were knocked out of the League Cup by nearest neighbours Thackley but showed passion and spirit.

They will hope to build on that and look to add to their points total when lower mid-table side Parkgate visit on Saturday.

Eccleshill have won just one game so far this season but will be focused on the five-point gap between themselves and second-bottom Lincoln Moorlands Railway.

If the Eagles win their two games in hand, they would be off the foot of the table.

Manager Ray Price is still working with a slender squad but there were no new injury concerns after Tuesday’s cup defeat.

THACKLEY are ninth in the table and looking to break into the promotion places but the league is so tight that they could lose ground this weekend with an away defeat.

They travel to 13th-placed Hall Road Rangers, who trail Thackley by just three points.

LIVERSEDGE are just one place and two points behind Thackley and are also on the road, travelling to fourth-placed Selby Town.

The North Yorkshire outfit are one of seven clubs, Thackley among them, who have applied for ground grading to ensure that if they finish in a promotion place they will satisfy the criteria for the UniBond League.

Sedge boss Steve Newton was another manager delighted to get his players back into meaningful action in midweek.

They were beaten 3-0 at Bridlington Town but it was a welcome return after the recent problems caused by the weather.

BRIGHOUSE TOWN face a difficult game in Division One as they head to AFC Emley.

Mark Brier’s side are proving their worth after stepping onto the non-league ladder, taking a point per game in their first season among the semi-professional ranks.

But Emley, rebuilding after their return to the Welfare ground following a split with Wakefield, are averaging two points and look like heading back up the divisions.