Latest reporting takes in games played from mid March, and to start with a late report from a keenly contested derby game on 12th March ……

U10s
Albury Eagles 1-2 Albury Griffins
The Griffins were away to the Eagles this week at the Heath. This game drew a massive crowd and they were entertained with a great game of football showing how far the under 10s have come on. The first 20 minutes was mainly played in the Eagles half, and with some solid defending, it was goalless at the break. The second half was even better with a more open and flowing game with both sides having chances. The dead lock was broken by Henry Schoen after a Good cross (literally). The question was could the Griffins hold on to a 1-0 lead for 10 minutes, the answer was no with three minutes to go Oliver Harris found the top corner from 10 yards out. Now we really had a game and with a final attack the Eagles conceded a free kick on the edge of the area. Up stepped Daniel Cannon in a Beckhamesque style and calmly planted the ball in the back of the net through a crowded penalty box to seal the victory. This was a great game played by two very accomplished sides. Well done. M.O.T.M William Walker.
Mark Hurman

The following Saturday, 19th March..
U10s
WaltonWarriors 2-0 AlburyGriffins
The Griffins were away to Walton Warriors to challenge for the League title. Albury started well and again had the lion’s share of
possession in the first half but were unable to score. Walton passed the ball around very well and scored just before the break. In the second half the Griffins began to tire as the sun beat down and we conceded another goal. On the day, Walton were a better side but the Griffins can look back on an excellent season with improvements for every player.
MOM Joe Simpson
Mark Hurman

Saturday 19th March

U12s
Brockham B 3-1 Albury Eagles
A rather lack-lustre display today from the lads in a game we should have easily been able to have drawn.
During the match, Albury mounted regular attacks on the Brockham area, but most petered out on the edge of the box due to lack of support on the flanks.
Brockham led at half time 2-0 through well struck goals to the bottom corner’s of Will H’s goal.
The ref however curiously chose to ignore the Brockham keeper hooking Sam Kaye’s foot in a desperate bid to stop him scoring before the break. However, when Sam was bundled over in the area early in the second half, Will Westcott coolly slotted home the spot kick for 2-1.
Brockham deserved their victory, sealed with a third, for better strength in depth on the day. Man of the Match this week to Jack Reddick for some excellent midfield ball winning and passing.

A squad trip to Watford v Preston followed after lunch, albeit Ray Lewington’s last game in control before he was sacked! Watford lost
0-2, but not before Will Westcott had managed to get an Albury Eagles FC request played on the PA system!!
Tony Hern
U10s No games

U9s
AlburyGriffins 2-1 Brockham Black
Albury Griffins extended their unbeaten run to 8 games with a 2 - 1 win against Brockham Blacks and secured runners up spot in the league. Griffins started well and goals from Phillip Smith and Harvey Marshall put them 2 - 0 up at half time . The pick of the goals followed a Tom Gill corner which was met by a Harvey Marshall header. Brockham hit back just after half time with a well taken goal and George Duff and man of the match Alexander Dangerfield both had good games in defence. Chris Brookes looked sharp up front and David Hearns had an excellent game in midfield. John Duff

St Annes Blue 0-0 Albury Eagles
The Eagles drew 0 - 0 away against St Annes and gained a vital point that secures their place in the premier league. Tom Cantoni had a fine game and went close with a couple of shots. At the other end Edward Babbington and Freddie Wall played well in defence.St Annes had their chances but Jack Childerstone played well in goal.A good all round team peformance from a hard working Eagles team. Murray Farrant

Well done to both the Griffins and Eagles who came respectively 2nd (again) and 4th in Division 1 of the Tadworth league. Brockham Blacks and Onslow both got relegated with Holmbury and Kiko coming up next year.

U8s
Albury Eagles 2-0 TadworthTigers
Report to follow……….

Saturday 26th March
U12s
Albury Eagles 2-1 Ashington
Eagles recorded only their second league win of the season today with a fine performance, in a game which we dominated. Better first half finishing would have given the scoreline a truer reflection on the powerplay we enjoyed for just about the whole game.
The defence was solid, marshalled by MoM Finlay Grogan, and some fine work by Ross Beasley and debutant Dan Kingshott at left back. Hugh had a great match in midfield, whilst twin strikers Sam Kaye and Chris Caley gave Ashington defensive headaches all game.
Each scored a goal towards the end of each half, Sam clipping in a rebound from a Chris Caley shot which hit the right upright, whilst Chris himself netted the winner with a cleverly placed lob into the top corner.
Early second half ball watching allowed Ashington to steal in with a goal during their only meaningful attack, but the lads fully deserved this excellent victory. Tony Hern

Saturday 9th April
U11s
Milford Pumas 1 – 2 Albury Eagles
I would just like to thank the kids for getting another win this Saturday just gone......2-1 vs Milford Pumas. Goals from Dan Kingshott and Dominic Higgetts header from a corner (he's making a habit of it!!)in injury time. I would also like to mention Zac Smith who picked up the man of the match award for a great display partnering Dan at centre back. John Caley

U10s News
Hope everyone enjoyed their Easter and are now looking forward to the
lighter evenings and warmer weather ahead. In terms of fixtures, both teams
have now played their final league matches (both the Tigers and the Panthers have been unable to honour their previously cancelled fixtures) and by my calculations that leaves the Griffins in runners up spot and the Eagles in fourth - a great achievement when you look at the relatively small squads in each team this season. Final league places will be confirmed at the
presentation day at Tadworth on the 23rd April.
The final training sessions will be on 16th and 23rd April (with possibly another Eagles-v-Griffins match as part of the session). David Harris

TRAINING TOPS AND HATS
A reminder to all league players of u8 and over that training tops are now in stock in all sizes, so if anybody is still missing a top, please can they contact Tony.
The weather may be more spring minded than back to winter, but we also hold good stocks of Eagles wooly hats. See Lynne or Gerry Bacon Burger for those. Thanks.

KEEPING UP TO DATE WITH EAGLES AND GRIFFINS TEAMS
For teams in the Tadworth Leagues, u10s to u8s, click on
www.cleardesk.co.uk/tadworth

whilst for the Horsham League, try:
www.yellowjersey.co.uk

TRAINING IN APRIL

One more Saturday coming up for training on the Heath on the 16th.

We then transfer to Tillingbourne School for training on 23rd and 30th April, usual times apply. This then pretty much brings the season to a close, apart from tournament play the following weekend…………….

GUILDFORD SAINTS 6-a-side TOURNAMENT 7th and 8th May
We have entered one team at U7, U8 and U9 for this well run tournament, with team managers selecting squads of eight players for each age group.

U7s play on the morning of Saturday 7th May, U8s play on the morning of Sunday 8th May, and U9s will play on the afternoon of Saturday 7th May.
Further details from your age managers.
We are unable to enter a team at U10 as there is a large contingent embarking on a school study tour that weekend.

…….meanwhile, for U11s and U12s………..

The morning of Sunday 8th May sees Albury entering sides into the Ockley Acorns tournament.
Again, squads of eight players will be picked for six-a-side competition.

FA CHARTER STANDARD APPLICATION

Eagles have now applied for their FA Charter Standard accreditation.
This is a Kitemark scheme which guides football clubs and schools into best practice in all aspects of the management of junior football.

It has taken quite a while to get all the component parts together.
As part of Albury Cricket Club, there have been several committee meetings over the past couple of years, as we have carefully constructed a Club Constitution and Code of Practice, bringing together each department – junior and senior cricket and football.
All appearing shortly on our website, which seems to be the most effective way of getting your copy!

To round off the season, please make a date in your diary for …………

ALBURY EAGLES FUN DAY SATURDAY 11TH JUNE TILLINGBOURNE SCHOOL

This year we shall be having a theme of the Home Nations Championships, featuring teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
The fun starts at Noon on the day.
We shall also be handing out the season’s trophies and medals, so certainly a day not to be missed.
More details to follow.

ALBURY JUNIOR CRICKET CLUB
The cricket season is almost upon us again, with this year, Albury entering three teams into the West Surrey Cricket League – at U9, U10 and U12.

The first Friday evening barbecue of
the new season is scheduled for
29th April!

There is now a waiting list in most age groups for the season ahead, so could new players in the first instance please apply to join the list by contacting Treasurer, Stuart Madden on
07980 294939.

Editor - Tony Hern
01483 202936 07891 480343
Email: tonyhern@lineone.net