EAGLE Sports were able to celebrate their first game under new management in style.

And that is despite playing for more than an hour with 10 men after an early red card.

Under the joint-management of Richard Chinn and Danny Nixon for the first time, Eagle thrashed Whaley Bridge Athletic to record their first win in nearly two months.

Two goals each from Jordan Lockett and Danny Hutchins sealed victory at Thornton Road, much to Chinn’s delight.

“We were much better at Middlewich last time out but we raised the level again,” he said after the game.

“While it's not at where we want it to be, we are back going in the right direction.

“The lads’ work rate outstanding, especially with the way they reacted to going down to 10 men so early in the game.”

With Lewis McEvatt being shown a straight red card after just 15 minutes, the game was looking like an uphill struggle but Lockett gave them something to build on just 10 minutes later by heading in the opener.

After the visitors had two efforts cleared off the line, another Lockett header doubled Eagle’s lead after the break.

A frantic finish looked to be in store when Whaley Bridge pulled a goal back with 15 minutes left, but substitute Hutchins quickly calmed the nerves.

His brace – the second of which was a penalty after he was brought down – sealed a much-needed three points ahead of Saturday’s Warrington ‘derby’ against Greenalls PSO.

Meanwhile, Eagle’s reserves returned from their trip to Styal with a hard-earned point, with Josh Williams on the scoresheet in a 1-1 draw.