Eagle Sports 1 Old Xaverians 2

A LATE Xaverians goal ended not only Eagle’s involvement in the Liverpool FA Challenge Cup, but their eight-match winning run that stretched back to mid-September.

However, this week is not one for Eagle to feel sorry for themselves, ahead of the visit of Cheshire League Division One champions Knutsford FC to Thornton Road on Saturday.

They will have to start with more verve against the defending title holders, as they soon slipped behind to an Old Xaverians penalty after Richard Chinn was adjudged to have tripped an opponent in the box.

Conceding did seem to wake the hosts up, but despite some improved possession and passing moves Eagle were unable to trouble the visiting keeper.

That was until the second half, when a fired up Eagle side regained a foothold through Owen Ellis’ equaliser, a glancing header that nestled in the bottom corner.

Then followed the home side’s best spell, dominating the game and crafting strong chances without ever being able to turn them into goals.

Coleman, Hickman and Chinn all failed to find the net from good efforts, meaning that when Xaverians’ striker turned and fired a bouncing shot past McDermott with minutes remaining, it was something of a sucker punch.

Substitute Boardman went within inches of restoring parity late on, but as his free kick sailed wide Eagle were resigned to their first loss in nearly two months.

Eagle: McDermott, Coleman, Chinn, Hall(c), Cross, Hickman, Hope, Burthem, Ellis, Waldron, McAllister. Subs: Boardman, Walker, N.Williams, Bruce.