Toolstation Northern Counties East League Cup: Athersley Recreation 3 Eccleshill United 1

THE only hope of Eccleshill United lifting some silverware this season will be the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Division One title after they exited the League Cup last night.

The Eagles are enjoying a good season in the league and are in second spot in the lower tier.

The Rec are 16th in the Premier Division. so it was a good test for Sean Regan’s men and they made a good fist of it.

Eccleshill pushed for a victory at Sheerien Park, especially after the home side were reduced to ten men just five minutes into the second half.

Athersley’s Lee Garside aimed a kick in the direction of Scott Manning and was shown a straight red card.

The home side were still a goal up at the time after Jamie Moxon had given them a second-minute lead, converting a good cross with a header into the top corner of Dom Smith’s net.

Manning sent in a good shot from distance soon after that brought a fine save out the home keeper as he tipped the effort over his bar.

There were a handful of half-chances for the Eagles before they finally levelled the second-round tie in the 76th minute.

Substitute Ethan Labad struck the equaliser after midfielder Andy Cooper had played the youngster in, but parity lasted less than three minutes as Athersley regained the lead when their substitute Simon Poole seized possession on the edge of the area before slotting home.

Eccleshill skipper Sam Bradley saw a header graze a post and, in the last minute, Pedro Sevilha planted a header onto the bar from a cross by Bradley as the Eagles put some pressure on the home side.

However, three minutes into stoppage time with everyone - including keeper Smith – up for a corner, the Eagles conceded a third as Rec broke away and Kai Hancock finished well.