ALBURY EAGLES Football Club

ALBURY CRICKET AND FOOTBALL CLUB

SUMMER SPORTS DINNER

SATURDAY 24^TH APRIL

ALBURYHEATH

Put this evening date in your diary, when the whole sports club get together for a fabulous evening meal and excellent entertainment.

For more details, please contact Tim Wall on 01483 202949 or email tim.w@dnxmarketing.com

A group of 16 boys from the U11s Albury Griffins squad enjoyed a truly memorable experience last Saturday (6th March) when they took to the Craven Cottage pitch at half time during the Fulham vs Tottenham FA Cup 6th Round tie, to take part in the Matchday Shootout.

This involved each player taking it in turns to showcase his footballing skills to the sellout 25,000 crowd by dribbling the ball from the halfway line, through a series of cones, before shooting at goal in front of

the packed Hammersmith stand. The team's two goalkeepers took turns to try to save the shots.

A group of around 30 parents and relatives also made the trip to support the boys.

Coach of the team, Rod Saxby, commented, "The boys have been looking forward to this event for several weeks. They have been keen to practice for the shootout in our regular training sessions, and the efforts they have put in really showed through on Saturday. It was great to hear the Fulham crowd cheering them on so

Hopes of the Albury Eagles under 14s returning to a cup final for the second time in four seasons were dashed after meeting Maidenbower in the semi-final of the Horsham League’s Presidents Cup. Maidenbower currently the runaway leaders of the Horsham under 14s B league, opened the scoring in the first half after just eight minutes and made things tough for a depleted Albury side to strike back. Phil Smith's long range shot from the right, struck the foot of the post for the Eagles and Lewis Keen's run into the area beating several players in the process deserved a goal but it was not to be.

The second half saw Maidenbower score early once again, but with Harvey Marshall now back at the centre of midfield, Albury began to take more control of the game and were rewarded with a goal when Christopher Brooks raced away from his marker and fired a shot at goal that the keeper was unable to gather which then allowed Christopher to slot the ball in from the rebound. As the Eagle's game began to gain momentum and with defender and man of the match George Duff keeping the Maidenbower attack under control it seemed that Albury might be able to level the match and take the game into extra time.

Unfortunately it was Maidenbower who scored the next goal as the full time whistle loomed and with it finished the hopes of a return to the Broadbridge stadium on finals day for the Eagles.

Albury Eagles maintained their title challenge with an important win against a spirited St Joseph’s side. The Eagles were not at their fluent best but returned comfortable winners despite courageous defence from the home team.

The first goals came after just 10 minutes with Sam Breach stealing in from the right to shoot high into the goal from close range and then completing a simple tap in after some brilliant work from Nathaniel Hallam on the edge of the box. Two more goals followed in quick succession; a rather scrappy one by Jay Lawson’s own high standards and a better one from Archie Wells after good link up work from Jay and Sam.

At this point a rout looked on the cards but the Eagles were to be frustrated for the rest of the first half by some excellent shot stopping from the St Joseph’s goalkeeper.

In the second half the home team were encouraged by the advantage of the slope and showed more adventure coming forward but disciplined performances from Brent and Jasper in defence meant that Will Stannett in the Eagles’ goal was rarely called upon and, despite a number of goal attempts and corners at each end, the scoreline remained unchanged. Final Score: 0 – 4

Eagles Team: Will Stannett (goalie) – Jasper Whitefield – Brent Savage – Sam Breach (2) - Nathaniel Hallam – Archie Wells (1) – Jay Lawson (1)

Two very evenly matched teams played some excellent football and fought out a very close game which could have gone either way.

Albury started the stronger and soon warmed the hands of the Hearts goalkeeper through Cameron Potts and took the lead after 5 minutes when James Foulsham finished a powerful run with a low shot into the Hearts net. Luke Pecorelli narrowly missed hitting the target twice and James Foulsham rattled the post with a long range volley. Hearts kept going and only a great save from keeper Ross Gilding kept the advantage with Albury. Hearts levelled the score after 15 mins when they managed to squeeze the ball home in a goalmouth scramble following another good save from Gilding.

The second half continued in the same manner with some excellent football from both teams and solid defending from Albury duo Alexander Potts and Liam Langridge-Barker. Gilding was called into action again to deny Hearts and his opposite number making a good save to keep James Foulsham at bay. Then, with ten minutes remaining, Will Edwards tenaciously won the ball and put through Cameron Potts who completed a Man of the Match performance with a lovely finish under pressure from the Hearts defence. However, the game wasn’t over yet and Hearts kept pushing forward and nearly equalised with the last kick of the match as the ball tantalisingly rolled past the post.

Team: Ross Gilding, Will Edwards, Liam Langridge-Barker, Alexander Potts, Luke Pecorelli, Cameron Potts, Joe Lockhart, James Foulsham