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A belated Happy New Year to all players and parents.
To begin with, some catch up reports from late last year....
U8s
Tadworth Tigers 2-3 Albury Eagles
The Albury Eagles won this tense encounter to reclaim 2nd spot in the league going into the Xmas break. Stalemate prevailed until midway through the second half with the Eagles missing a procession of chances to score. As things started to get a bit nervy, Matt Foster popped up at the back post to head home
an excellent Harry Ford cross. Tadworth replied almost immediately converting a quick break to level things up. As the pressure built Albury besieged the Tadworth goal and were rewarded with an unfortunate own goal. Again, Tadworth quickly evened things up after a highly controversial penalty decision. With just seconds to go, Fraser Millis converted a difficult chance to carry the day for the Eagles. Phewww! Nick Sanders
U8s
BrockhamBlues 0-3 Albury Griffins
Joe Mapp 3
U12s
Reigate Priory 9-0 Albury Eagles
Two key defensive players missing today as Eagles suffered their worst ever scoreline. 4-0 down by half-time, the steady stream of scoring continued in the second half, with Eagles being continually overrun.
MoM went to Jack Reddick for tireless work in midfield.
We have now played 9 league games with only three points to show for our efforts. However, thinking positively,
we head into the New Year with a full squad of 18 players, and not propping up the table! Tony Hern
EAGLES CHRISTMAS PARTY
About 100 children attended an extremely lively Christmas Party in Albury Village Hall on the Saturday before the big day.
Many thanks to the helpers and providers of plates of food, held together superbly by DJ/MC Tom Westcott who ran a disco, party games, and a qualifying round for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing.
With Christmas and New Year falling on Saturdays, there was no footy action for almost three weeks.
The first games on January 8th were thus eagerly awaited.....
U8s
Albury Eagles 3-0 Walton Warriors
In a highly charged 2nd vs 3rd league clash, the Eagles overcame the
Warriors with one of their best performances of the season. The game was won in a first half which Albury dominated and in which they scored all three goals.
The first two coming from Tristan Moses and the third from Fraser Millis. Despite the blustery conditions, Albury passed the ball well and kept their shape throughout the game. We could have gone further ahead in the second half with both Fraser and Tristan missing good chances, whilst the defence and midfield maintained full control of the game. Man of the match went to Ralph Harvey-
Jefferson who kept an excellent clean sheet and dominated his area with a real air of confidence. Nick Sanders
Albury Griffins 0-1 BrockhamBlues
No report.
U10s
Albury Eagles 0-1 Walton Warriors
The Eagles three match unbeaten run came to an end this weekend against top of the league Walton Warriors. Despite the boys playing most of the match in Walton’s half and hitting the underside of the crossbar in the first minute (Andy Campling - where was the Russian linesman !), Walton scored with their only shot on goal. Very encouraging display though and the team are now playing some excellent football. David Harris
U10s
AlburyGriffins 4-1 Tadworth Tigers
This match started quite slowly as the Griffins played into the wind. We had the majority of possession in the first half as the Tigers defended their goal well keeping a clean sheet at half time. The second half was a similar story with the Griffins having more of the ball than Tadworth. The break through came as Tadworth made a back pass from the half way line which a defender tried to clear but sliced it passed his goalie! Harry Good quickly added another, Tadworth broke and pulled one back but this was the only real chance they had. As the game went on Harry scored again and with another O.G via a Daniel Cannon corner, the Griffins had sealed a 4 - 1 victory. James Connolly played very well in defence but M.O.T.M this week was Harry Good. Mark Hurman
U12s
Kirdford 3-1 Albury Eagles
Lovely greasy Sussex mud greeted Eagles in their first fixture of 2005 - away to the league leaders - yikes!!
But this was a battling performance by our boys, marshalled excellently at the back by Hugh Graves, Finlay Grogan and MoM Harry Thomas. Will Hern made several fine saves too, as we forced Kirdford to shoot from 20 metre range. One such shot found it’s way past Will’s right hand into the bottom corner, but Eagles held their nerve, winning plenty of midfield ball via Sam Kaye, who eventually slipped the ball through for Will Westcott to run onto and coolly lob the advancing keeper for 1-1.
Kirdford’s undoubted impressive play eventually swung the match their way, although their winning goals were purposely struck too high for Will to reach! No disgrace to lose 3-1 to the league’s top side, and some very encouraging performances too from Leigh Batchelor (defence), Ross Beasley and Jack Reddick (both midfield). TonyHern.
Now, to Matches played on 15th
January.....
U7s
Albury Eagles v Holmbury
Tim Foulsham supervised two games for Eagles and Griffins sides against a strong squad visiting from Holmbury.
There were some good battling performances, with Man of the Match going to Milo Nicholson.
Our boys, however, failed to hit the net, losing the four games to a combined deficit of 16 goals.
U8s
Brockham Blue 0-5 Albury Eagles
This victory was as convincing as the scoreline suggests. Minus two of our
stronger players, the whole team raised their game and workrate to compensate. The Eagles dominated possession throughout, with midfielders Tom Cain, Guy
Sanders and Harry Ford (man of the match) all playing at the top of their
games. Albury opened the scoring after missing numerous chances with a fiercly struck far post shot from Harry Ford. Early in the second half, Fraser Millis finally found his range, scoring an excellent hat-trick within the space of ten minutes. Scoring was completed by Harry Ford with a powerful direct shot from a free kick that squeezed past the keeper. The defence were rarely troubled but kept their concentration, comfortably clearing up any threat. 5 - 0 A good reward for hard work! Nick Sanders
U8s
AlburyGriffins 1-3 WaltonWarriors
U9s
AlburyGriffins 2-1 BrockhamGreen
Albury Griffins had a tremendous 2-1 win against last year’s champions and the current unbeaten league leaders Brockham Greens. Albury Griffins took the lead through Man of the match David Hearns, following a Chris Brookes corner. The Griffins had chances to increase their lead but Brockham equalised shortly after half time. Both teams then played some excellent football before Harvey Marshall got the winner in the last quarter of the match. A great team effort with every player having a good game. John Duff
Onslow FC 0-0 Albury Eagles
The Eagles playing away to Onslow should have been convincing winners but could not get the vital goal and had to settle for a 0-0 draw. Tom Cantoni and Nathaniel Farrant both went close as did George Stevens. Despite drawing, there were some fine
performances including those from Edward Babbington and George Blackbee. Onslow had few chances but Jack Childerstone was in fine form in goal. John Duff
U10s
Onslow FC 5-3 Albury Eagles
With David and Ollie at Harlequins today, Linda took charge of the team.
3-0 down at Half- time, Eagles then came back strongly with 2 James Hern goals sandwiching one from Jack Gill. Eagles almost made it 4-4 but Onslow came back to make it 5-3 in the final minutes. MoM to Jack Madden for some fine saves between the posts but a good, fighting performance from everyone. Linda Hern
Albury Griffins 3-1 Tadworth Lions
Second home game of the year had Tadworth’s other team, the Lions, pay us a visit. Albury started strongly with some good possession and the ball was passed well from back to front. Mid way through the first half Harry Good split the Lions defence and Henry Schoen ran through and scored after a one two with the keeper. Harry added a second and we looked in control but some lapse defending allowed the Lions to get one back. The last five minutes saw counter attacking football from both teams, Daniel Cannon finally sealed a deserved victory. M.O.T.M this week goes to William Walker for some great alround play on pitch and in goal.
Mark Hurman
U11s
Albury Eagles 4-5 Milford Pumas
Just to say that this was not one of our best performances. We basically let a far inferior team win the match. A game we really shouldn’t have lost.
A combination of errors and just an all round poor team performance cost us the game. Admittedly we did have a number of boys who were under the weather or who had been off school in the week which didnt help. But I do feel when we have our full team back we should beat this team in the return match! Just to remind you of our scorers. Harvey Owen (2), Sam Bunyan (1) and Zac Smith (1)
John Caley
U12s
Albury Eagles 3-3 Henfield
With two key defenders out, we were always going to find this one a tricky fixture, and after some early promise, as with so many games this season, we conceded a goal midway through the first half.
However, by half time, the game had been turned around with fine goals from Will Westcott and Sam Kaye.
Sam added another after 40 mins, and the game looked safe. However, defensive jitters in the last five minutes saw Henfield rally strongly and very frustratingly for everyone levelled the game on the final whistle.
A debut for Sam Schoen at right back, who showed great speed with some attacking wingplay, whilst Man of the Match this week was deservedly won by Leigh Batchelor for another good match in defence. The team has still to play at full strength this season, but are improving with each game.
Tony Hern
TOP CLUB SCORERS
From across the club, the leading scorers are:
1. Tristan Moses u8s 15
2. Fraser Millis u8s 12
3. Sam Kaye u12s 9
4. Matt Foster u8s 8
4=. Harry Good u10s 8
6. Ollie Harris u10s 7
7. Chris Caley u11s 6
7=. Harry Ford u8s 6
7=. James Hern u10s 6
10. Will Westcott u12s 5
10=. Harvey Owen u11s 5
Albury Eagles Quiz Night
Another successful evening for quiz fans was held at the Drummond Arms on Saturday 15th January, the perfect antidote to Christmas Humbug!
54 entrants divided into 9 teams for an excellent evening hosted by Martin Betts in full scholarly regalia, assisted superbly as usual by wife Sarah armed with trusty laser enhanced scoreboard.
The Atlantic Alliance overcame a spirited challenge from DNXX1 (something to do with a roman date from pre-history?) to carry off the crate of wine. A good time was had by all.
FOOTBALLERS WANTED
We have space in the squads for a few more children at u7 (school year 2), and there a couple of u10 spaces available.
Meanwhile at u11, John Caley will be looking for a few more in order to tackle league action next September.
Otherwise, Eagles and Griffins teams are now running waiting list status, with club membership having rocketed to 128 in less than three years.
.......AND COMING UP IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS......
We shall again be holding Half term training on the Heath (14 and 15 Feb) organised by Planet Sport. Both days will feature training from 10am-3pm.
I am also hopeful of staging a goalkeepers day on 16th Feb, and it would be nice if goalie and one reserve could attend from each team, to make up a training day for around 20 boys.
In early May, there will be a day trip to Reading to see a game, with two hours training beforehand.
Early May also sees Guildford Saints tournament, and we would aim to supply about ten teams for competition over the weekend 7th/8th.
KEEPING UP TO DATE WITH EAGLES
Check out results and tables by logging onto:
www.cleardesk.co.uk/tadworth
whilst for the Horsham League, try:
www.yellowjersey.co.uk
Editor - Tony Hern
01483 202936 07891 480343
Email: tonyhern@lineone.net
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