Ecclesfield Red Rose 1-2 Swinton Athletic

County Senior League Premier Division, Saturday 23^rd November 2013

An own goal by Ecclesfield’s Sean Lee and Jon Billup’s close range shot were enough to end Swinton’s run of seven consecutive defeats, with a 2-1 victory on Saturday. 

On twenty minutes, Alex Wilkinson’s corner from the right swerved towards the far post, where Red Rose defender Sean Lee inadvertently headed into his own goal.

Ten minutes later their lead was doubled. Wilkinson’s corner was spilt by Ecclesfield goalkeeper Zak Fleming Wright, and fell to Swinton’s captain Billups who poked the ball into the net.

The home side, Ecclesfield, netted a consolation in the second half when Ryan Keeney’s free-kick flew into the top corner.

Ecclesfield’s winless run is now at eleven games, dating back to the 31^st August.

Red Rose created the match’s first opportunity of the game. Liam Boswell’s long range effort sailed wide. Shortly after, Swinton’s John Burns sent a chance wide of the right post.

But then Swinton took control. Mark Clare’s shot was cleared of the line by Keeney, after Curtis Wilkinson’s pull-back. 

Billup’s flick on then fell to feet of Justin Greenwood, but as the striker poked the ball into the net he was ruled offside.

But it didn’t take long for Athletic to have the ball into the net again. Wilkinson’s left footed corner was attempted to be cleared by Sean Lee, but his header ended in the back of the net, and the league’s bottom side led 1-0.

Still the visitor’s pressed for a second. John Burns’ short pass to Billups resulted in a long range effort which flew wide.

It took until the 24^th minute for Ecclesfield’s second chance of the half to be formed. Goalkeeper Zak Fleming Wright played a long ball to Harry O’Neill’s who produced a flick header, but it was a comfortable catch for Dan Morton.

Mark Clare then cut inside from the left and produced an effort from a tight angle which cannoned against the post, as Swinton continued their search for a second goal.

The goal was imminent however, with another Wilkinson corner being the deciding factor. His set piece was spilt by Fleming Wright, with Billups reacting quicker than the Ecclesfield defence and punishing the error with a close range finish.

Wilkinson continued to look dangerous; his long range free-kick was tipped over by the goalkeeper. Elsewhere, Ben Brown’s long range shot for Ecclesfield failed to trouble Dan Morton.

John Burn’s low shot concluded the first half action, which required Fleming Wright to tip the ball around the post.

After the interval it continued to be Swinton with the dominance. Firstly Burns’ long range effort was caught by Fleming Wright, before Mark Clare fired high and wide.

On fifty minutes Justin Greenwood sent through Curtis Wilkinson, who had a one-on-one denied low by the goalkeeper. 

However, Ecclesfield found a way back into the tie. Ryan Keeney’s free-kick from the left flew into the top right corner, to make it 2-1, much to Swinton’s frustrations who believed their goalkeeper had been fouled.

Another of Keeney’s set pieces almost results in an equaliser seven minutes later. His delivery was met by the head of Liam Boswell but it went just wide.

Cautious that Ecclesfield were pushing for a leveller, Swinton attempted to regain a foothold in the game. Hayden Barnett’s direct free-kick pushed around the post. The resulting corner, again from Alex Wilkinson, was met by Curtis Wilkinson’s head but was sent over the crossbar.

At the other end Ecclesfield carved late chances. Ben Sanderson blasting over Keeney’s free-kick and substitute Douglas Clegg sent a long range effort chance in the same direction, as Athletic achieved a vital three points in their quest for survival in their first season in the Premier Division.

The result moves Swinton to just one point from safety, with Ecclesfield remaining in the bottom three on goal difference.

Ecclesfield Red Rose Team: Zak Fleming Wright, Alex Radford, Ryan Radford, Ben Sanderson, Ryan Keeney, Ben Brown (captain), Sean Lee, Liam Boswell, Craig Senior, Harry O’Neill, Billy Rowley. Substitutes: Vinnie Ogden, Josh Corker, Douglas Clegg, Jerome Grant.

Swinton Athletic Team: Dan Morton, Ross Shelton, Alex Wilkinson, Hayden Bennett, Ryan Doxey, Jon Billups (captain), John Burns, Matt Beever, Justin Greenwood, Curtis Wilkinson, Mark Clare. Substitutes: Josh Dacre, Joel Bennett, Darren Walker, Michael Burke, Jack Ward.