Latest reporting takes in games played over the past three weekends …..

U12s 26 Feb
Henfield 1-1Albury Eagles
When most football in Surrey was cancelled today due to the effects of frost and morning snow, Eagles u12s drove south for an hour to find deepest Sussex dry and perfect for footy.
Eagles should have won this game quite comfortably, but a mix of bad luck and several disputed ref decisions made this a hotly contested encounter.
Eagles defence was solid throughout, denying Henfield any close sight of goal – just our bad luck that they went 1-0 up just before half time with one of very few home breakaway attacks during the game. Meanwhile, Sam Kaye had been denied goals by crossbar (freekick) and left post (shot on the turn).
Eagles pressure continued during the second half, and we were soon level thanks to a fine top-corner equalizing strike by Sam Kaye. Harry Thomas then appeared to have netted his first goal for the club from a Steven Robinson corner, only to be advised back in the centre circle by the ref that the corner should be retaken, as he wasn’t ready!
MoM this week, Steven Robinson, for an outstanding midfield performance.
Overall though, another reflection on how Eagles have improved their all-round game this season, but disappointing not have recorded a deserved victory. Tony Hern

U11s 26 Feb
Frensham 2-3 Albury Eagles
Just to say well done to everyone for a good performance today. It was bitterly cold and at sometimes snowing today which made football very difficult. A good result in difficult conditions. The performance was made better as we really stuggled to get a team today. But by half time I just couldn’t have been happier with the result. A 3-0 half time lead was fantastic. 2 goals from Chris Caley who couldn’t complete his hat-trick as he had to go off in the 2nd half as he started to feel ill, and a lovely chip from Luke Cannon. Frensham replied with 2 goals of their own in the 2nd half. Albury had to hold on to ensure the win as it really was backs to the wall at the end of the 2nd half. Frensham put the Albury defence under extreme pressure but Albury held out for the win. Man of the Match was Alex Henson in goal who pulled off some tremendous saves.
John Caley
U8s 26 Feb
AlburyGriffins 2-5 BrockhamWhite
No report.

Moving on to Saturday 5th March, and
a cold and snowy week cancelled all
games bar one……..

U12s 5 March
Albury Eagles 2 –4 Chiddingfold
Game number 16 for the lads, and what an amazing start we had today.
Two superbly taken goals from Sam Kaye as the ‘Chid’ offside trap was prized open twice. We were playing some excellent football during the first half, but a defensive error let the visitors in for a goal shortly before the break. Chid gradually became the dominant side after the break scoring three more, but significantly, held out well to sustained Albury pressure midway through the half.
Good performances today from Finlay Grogan, who has developed into a fine defender this season, Harry Thomas, left midfield, and Sam Kaye, two goal MoM who has now netted 14 goals this season. Tony Hern

On now to 12th March………..

U8s
AlburyEagles 2 – 1 BrockhamWhite
This week Albury Eagles faced Brockham White, one of the four teams who are still in the mix to win the league. Before the game kicked off Albury were one point behind Brockham White, with a game in hand and two points behind top of
the table Priory Panthers. A win was a must if we were to remain in contention for top honours.
The game kicked off with both sides playing good football and creating chances.
For Albury, both Tristan Moses and Harry Ford found space down the flanks and provided some excellent crosses into the danger area. At the other end, our defence worked really hard to close down the Brockham strikers and Ralph Harvey
Jefferson made some excellent saves. Albury eventually made the breakthrough with Tristan Moses bravely sliding in front of the keeper to convert an excellent cross from Fraser Millis. Another fine save from Ralph saw us through to half time in the lead. The 2nd half started the worst possible way with Brockham equalising within a minute. The response from Albury was
immediate with Fraser Millis picking up a loose clearance from the keeper,
beating two defenders, and slamming the ball past the keeper. The final 15
minutes of the game were frantic with Brockham looking for an equaliser and Albury defending like demons and looking for the knock-out 3rd goal. Our defence was outstanding, with Matt Foster (player of the week) playing a vital holding midfield role, breaking up the Brockham attacks. Both Samuel Clark and Guy Sanders made important tackles and worked hard to mark the Brockham
strikers out of the game and Olli Turner (on as sub for Ralph in goal) made a number of fine saves.
This result leaves us 2nd in the league still two points behind Priory but with
two games to play. A victory on Saturday will guarantee a fitting climax with a winner takes all game against the Priory Panthers in April.
Nick Sanders
U9s
Albury Griffins 2-1 Onslow
Albury Griffins extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with a 2-1 win against lowly Onslow. Griffins made a slow start and Onslow took the lead with a well taken goal. Griffins then stepped up the pace and Man of the match Harvey Marshall got the equaliser. With 10 minutes to go Harvey Marshall got the winner with a fine header from an Oliver Cose corner. Phillip Smith and Harvey Marshall both hit the bar and the Onslow keeper made a number of good saves. At the opposite end Laurie Owen made a fine save in the Griffins goal with seconds to go.

Brockham Black 0-4 AlburyEagles
The Eagles had an excellent 4-0 win away to Brockham Blacks. With the wind and the slope in their favour the Eagles raced to a 4 - 0 lead at half time. Two well taken goals from Tom Cantoni and one from Nathanael Farrant together with an own goal secured three vital points for the Eagles. Oliver Scott also went close hitting the cross bar. A fine win and a good all round team performance.
John Duff

U10s
Albury Eagles 1-2 Albury Griffins

U11s
Dunsfold 0-6 Albury Eagles
Just to thank you all for coming to the match today! Another great result and a good performance too!!!!!!!!!
A good 6-0 win for the boys. Albury goals were an Own Goal,Chris Caley, Keith Fagg,Luke Cannon,and Man of the Match Dom Higgett with 2 goals. Albury totally out-played Dunsfold on this the return fixture from a couple of weeks ago when Albury won 8-0. Some lovely football was played. There were some lovely crosses and passing throughout the match, and Dom Higgitt even scored from a corner with his head!!
A good performance, well Done!
John Caley
U12s
Ockley Acorns 6-0 Albury Eagles
Eagles held their own against a good Ockley side who are currently 3rd in
the League, at no point were Eagles out-played or overwhelmed even though the scoreline would suggest otherwise. Unfortunately Eagles were without 2 key defence players, and we
therefore had to re-jig the defence & play players out of their usual positions.

By shifting around the defence at half time, there was an
immediate improvement and Eagles spent more time in the opponents half and even
managed to miss a penalty in the second half! The goals were again
undersized and Sam Kaye's well-struck shot hit the bar. Will Hern had several excellent saves & Will Westcott put in a man of the match performance. Iain Grogan

Tadworth League Players….
….a date for Your Diaries……….

Date: Sat 23rd April
Location: Tadworth Primary School
Time: 9.00am to 11.00am approximately!
We will organise some short friendly(!) matches from about 9.15 to 10.45 followed by the presentation.
The winner team of each age group will receive the year group shield (please can last years winners return the shields to me before the day).
There will be drinks and doughnuts for all children/hangers on!
Please can all coaches let me know (before Easter) how many teams/players they will be bringing so that we can arrange the games and catering?
Please pass this on to anyone you think I have missed!
Andy Bell, Tadworth League Secretary.

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

FA CHARTER STANDARD APPLICATION
Eagles are now applying 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!

A qualified coach is required at each group. We currently have James and Greg on their FA course, which upon completion will raise the number of qualified coaches at Eagles to six.

Meanwhile, all helpers will be required to sign a disclosure form, the details of which will be held securely by our Child Protection Officer, John Duff. More details soon.

Easter and Beyond…………
Please refer to your year coach as to when your season draws to a close.
Most matches will have been played by Easter, with training on the Heath finishing on 16th April.
We then transfer to Tillingbourne School for 23rd and 30th April.

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