Eccleshall 2 Tenbury United 1

TENBURY struggled to come to terms with the very heavy conditions at Eccleshall and the home team went on to complete the double in the First Division of the West Midlands League, after winning the match at Palmer's Meadow by the same score.

Eccleshall adapted to the conditions much better and controlled midfield without really threatening the Tenbury goal in the first quarter. They took the lead on 25 minutes through a soft goal. The visitors tried to play the ball out of defence but got caught in possession allowing the home team a clear run on goal.

Tenbury continued to struggle as their defence regularly got pulled out of shape, but they managed to hang on until the break. They changed their formation during the interval and looked a much more solid unit in the second half.

The game became a stalemate as the Tenbury attack, without leading marksman Karl Pearson looked lightweight. Eccleshall increased their lead on 70 minutes when they netted with a far post header, after Colin Powell failed to clear a corner under pressure.

Tenbury introduced the fresh legs of Graham Caldicott and Ian George, and the move paid dividends with the former reducing the deficit. Powell pushed forward from midfield and played the ball through to Caldicott who lifted it over the advancing keeper.

Tenbury pressed on but failed to create any real clear-cut chances against a stubborn defence, leaving the home team to play out time and deservedly take the points.

This week United entertain league leaders Great Wyrley at Palmer's Meadow and will be looking for a repeat of the performance at Wyrley when they shared the points in a 1-1 draw.