Eagle Sports v South Liverpool

6.30pm  1 September 2020

Friendly
Eagle Sports 4 South Liverpool 2 (att 77)

I thought I'd already been to Eagle Sports but during the summer I discovered that, in the 20 years since I visited for a Warrington and District League match, they'd moved.

They've not gone far, it's still the same address and the same sports ground, but the rugby and football pitches have swapped places. Back in 2000 the football club played on an open pitch in the middle of the playing field, but now they have a neatly railed off pitch adjacent to the large social club building.

It might be the effect of long months with no football at all, but the pre-season games I've watched recently have been a lot better than the low key training games that put me off non-competitive football in the past.

This was the best of the handful of matches I've seen since the restart. Two good teams, both at step seven of the non-League pyramid, produced a hard-fought high-tempo game that was really enjoyable.

South Liverpool were unfortunate that the premature end to last season cost them a likely promotion to the North West Counties League, and they'll doubtless be keen to earn the step up this time. They have a good side, but despite leading twice they were undone by Eagle Sports.

The visitors scored first but a penalty allowed Eagle to level before half time. South Liverpool regained their advantage at the start of the second half, but Eagle were always dangerous and South's failure to extend their lead cost them, to the delight of Eagle's supporters.

Despite arriving as a neutral I was pleased to see Eagle win. Not that I wish any ill on South Liverpool, a club with a long history, but their coaches' moaning at the referee whenever they perceived a decision had gone against them was over the top.