Local Sport

City in round two of trophy as January jeopardy looms

ECFC swept into round two of the FA Trophy with a fully deserved 3-0 victory over Salisbury City. The win included a strike from forward Jamie Mackie who now has eight goals in his last nine games.

Mackie's recent run of form and undoubted quality has sparked rumours that he may be set for a move when the transfer window opens in January. Tisdale has certainly never shied away from selling ECFC players – both left-backs including last season's top scorer Billy Jones were allowed to leave City to join Crewe. But last summer's close season showed a more worrying trend whereby first team players were shipped off to Torquay for a pittance and replaced by Team Bath players.

Torquay now sit second in the Blue Square Conference whilst ECFC are currently languishing in eighth, suggesting Tisdale's wheeling-dealing skills make Steptoe & Son look like Ebay.