Bottesford Town 4 Eccleshill United 2

SEAN Regan’s first three games in change of Eccleshill United have certainly been eventful – and he suffered his first defeat as Eagles boss at Bottesford Town in a game that saw three players trudge off for an early bath.

The home side took a firm grip on the Toolstation Northern Counties East Division One clash as they raced into a 3-0 lead.

The deadlock was broken early when Wayne Graves netted from a tight angle and Craig Bridge doubled Town’s lead with a spectacular strike.

The third came from the penalty spot with Terry Barwick slotting in from 12 yards, but the home side were soon a man down. Steve Ridley was dismissed for an alleged stamp although he claimed he had been fouled from behind and was just trying to stay on his feet.

They were soon down to nine men after Lee Ridley was sent off for a two-footed challenge in the area. That decision saw the Eagles awarded a penalty and Andy Cooper stuck it away.

Bottesford still reached the break three goals to the good as Jason Pemberton headed home from a corner minutes before the interval.

The Eagles chipped away at the arrears when Adam Turner scored early in the second half and the visitors were riled when an own goal by a Bottesford defender was ruled out for offside.

However, the attempted comeback was dealt a fatal blow when Eccleshill had a man of their own sent off, Mark Trueman being shown a red card.