A YOUNG Ellesmere Port side got the second half of their season under way with a bang when they entertained Eagle and won 9-3.

Playing into the wind in the first half, Port never looked under pressure in the match, despite going in 3-0 down at half- time to a penalty kick.

Port started the season with a young squad and a number of colts have been promoted since then and all showed they had come of age in this rearranged game, which was originally due to take place in October before Eagle cancelled, unable to raise a team, close to kick-off.

Head coach Dave Layder’s charges were struggling at the time but have matured a lot since and have almost guaranteed their safety this season, and they made Eagle pay.

After Eagle’s penalty there was a scuffle in which blows were landed and the referee sin binned a Port player and sent off one of the Eagles.

After the break, driven on by colt centre Craig Jones and Martin Bell, Port took control.

A penalty early on was popped over by Chris Cabot to level the scores before Port were restored to 15 men, their sin- binned player having served his 10- minute expulsion.

With the extra man, Port were comfortable. Niall Grant, another colt, carried the ball forward at every opportunity as he earned the man-of-the- match plaudits and Port used the wind to kick into the corners and pin their guests back.

Cabot was on form, kicking two further penalties to hand Port victory, but it was a mature defensive display from his young side that Layder was most pleased by.

“There were some really good performances from Grant, James Callaghan and Craig Jones,” he said.

“Dan Perryman also stood out but these young lads have ability, confidence and are becoming mature in their performance.

“We defended solidly and Eagle never really looked threatening.”

Next up for Port is a revenge mission at home to Moore, who beat Layder’s men earlier this season.