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16th Nov 2005
Latest match reporting takes in games over the past three Saturdays, from the second weekend of Half Term - 29th October.
The weather has been kind up until now, with southerly breezes keeping temperatures well above normal, and grass still growing, enabling the Albury Grasshopper to get the playing surface into fantastic shape.
U13s
29.10.05
Maidenbower 5 -2 Albury Eagles
A depleted Eagles side were always up against it in this game, and no real surprise wwith the home side leading by 4-0 by the break.
A much better effort from the lads in the second half, with the defence operating far more effectively, snuffing out most of what Maidenbower had to offer on the 18yd line.
Serious Albury attacks didn’t get going until the last 10 minutes, during which Matt Cox curled in a beautiful speculative lob from the left wing, and Jack B pocketed a 6 yd tap in, which needed a Russian linesman to confirm the ball had indeed crossed the line.
MoM to Lewis Upton in goal this week, pulling off some fine saves and exhibiting safe handling on a very slippery wet clay pitch.
Tony Hern
12.11.05
Albury Eagles 0- 7 Reigate Priory
This second round cup game was very one sided, with Albury again fielding a depleted side. No strikers this week!
Reigate were soon 2 goals up, and scored steadily through the game.
We found it very difficult to win enough midfield possession, and Reigate always threatened our 18 yard line. Matt Cox won more than most, and was our MoM this week.
Just for good measure, we play Reigate in the league next week!
Tony Hern
U12s
05.11.05
Old Dorkinians 3-1 Albury Eagles
Hope everyone enjoyed the game although the result did not go in our favour. The two teams were very evenly matched and lots of time passed in the match without even a shot at goal as the two teams cancelled each other out .It took an unfortunate own goal from a corner right on half-time for the deadlock to be broken. A Dorking corner was swung into the penalty area which Albury failed to clear and Ben Jones standing at the back post sliced the ball into the net whilst trying to clear. In the second half Albury got back on level terms when Harvey Owen broke through on goal and hit a shot past the keeper to equalise. The game then became very tight and the game looked like it was heading for a draw. Then once again Albury had more bad luck! Dorking broke down the wing and a cross went right across the penalty area and Tom Anderson was under pressure to clear the ball ended up diverting it into his own net. Once it was 2-1 I decided to try and salvage the game. I changed my tactics. Zac Smith was pushed from central defence to midfield and Fergus Laslett was pushed into attack .But 7 minutes from the end Dorking broke out to score and seal the win. This was our last week without Alex Henson in goal. Phil Earle deputised and what a good deputy he was. He played with great confidence and his ball handling was brill! He made one outstanding save late in the game when the Dorking forward got clean through and should have scored. Phil narrowed the angle and pushed the ball around the post. Next week we should be back to full strength and we need to be to get back to winning ways.
Man of the Match was Phil Earle for an outstanding goalkeeping performance. Well done! John Caley
U12s
05.11.05
PartridgeGreen 1 – 5 Albury Eagles
A better performance and it was nice to get back to winning ways. Albury playing on a very sticky, muddy pitch got to grips with the conditions better than Partridge Green and stormed into a 3-0 lead at half time. All 3 goals being scored by Harvey Owen. Partridge Green scored early in the 2nd half to make it 3-1.Dan Kingshott then scored direct from a corner and Jake Nurse scored late in the match to wrap up the points for Albury giving them a 5-1 win. Man of the match was Keith Fagg for his great tackling and tireless running. John Caley
U11s
29.10.05
Albury Eagles 3-3 Roffey Robins
05.11.05
St Pauls Panthers 2-4 Albury Eagles
12.11.05
Albury Eagles 1-7 Cranleigh Tigers
U10s
05.11.05
Walton Warriors 2 - 4 AlburyEagles
We deservedly took the lead with a Nathaniel Farrant shot after George Stevens and David Hearns had forced good early saves from their keeper. They equalised against the run of play, before a clear handball from their defender allowed Tom Cantoni to fire an unstoppable penalty. Again, they equalised despite good defending from George Blackbee and Colby Silver and a couple of quality saves from Freddie Wall. However, we finished the game very strongly and Nathaniel Farrant scored two amazing solo goals to bag a great hat-trick and to ensure the Eagles 100 % record this season is preserved. Tim Stevens
U10s
05.11.05
Tadworth 1 -3 Albury Griffins
The Griffins overcame a spirited Tadworth team 3-1. Griffins started very well with Chris Brooks hitting the woodwork twice in the opening 10 minutes Tadworth then came back strongly but just before half time Chris Brooks scored the opening goal after some good work involving Philip Smith and Tom Gill. Shortly after half time, Tadworth equalised with a well taken goal but Chris Brooks hit his second after a good move with Harvey Marshall who went on to score a third after a fine run. John Duff
U10s
12.11.05
Albury Eagles 2-0 Albury Griffins
U9s
12.11.05
Priory Panthers 0-4 Albury Eagles
The Eagles convincingly beat last year’s league winners and now with 3 league wins under their belts, the Eagles are top of the table with an impressive 10-goal difference. However it was not their best football display partly put off by an unusually short pitch.
Nine out of the squad of eleven were available and for the first ten minutes heard coach Trevor’s chorus..."wake up Albury", but player of the week Oli Turner in goal prevented any goals being conceded and then Will Onslow scored a great goal from a cross. The by now lively team fought hard but did not score again before half time.
A long goal kick by Oli over the heads of most of both teams saw a volleyed goal by Fraser Millis. Fraser’s second goal came from constant pressure and following up the ball in the goal area, after a cross from Oliver Stephens. On the small pitch everyone upfront/midfield, Harry Ford, Joe Mapp, Oliver and the rotating defence of Alex Connolly, Sammy Lewis and Hugh Ferris all got regular action and put in some great tackles and blocks. Will’s second goal from a ball worked forward by the team put the result well beyond doubt. Andrew Lewis
U9s
12.11.05
Tadworth Tigers 1-2 AlburyGriffins
Our second game of the season saw us travel to unbeaten league leaders Tadworth Tigers. We got off to the ideal start when defender Ryan Lintott scored following a corner after 5 minutes.
Tadworth came back strongly and plenty of chances were created at both ends with both goalkeepers being kept very busy. About 5 minutes before half time Tadworth made the breakthrough they had been looking for when we pushed out too early leaving their two attackers free on the edge of our penalty area and they levelled the score at 1-1 at half time.
During the break we decided to change the formation slightly and leave one up front in order to strengthen our defence. This worked well with our midfield gaining control and mounting regular attacks on the Tadworth goal. Tadworth did not lie down though and continued to create chances of their own, one of which resulted in an outstanding double save from James Mathews.
With a few minutes remaining Tom Cain picked the ball up in our half and a superb run took him to the edge of Tadworth’s penalty area. A couple of passes later and Guy Sanders slipped the ball past the Tadworth goalkeeper to seal the victory for the Griffins.
There were still nervous moments to come but the Griffins battled for every ball and thoroughly deserved their victory. Choosing a Player of the Week was virtually impossible given the level of performance of the whole squad but the award went to Matt Foster for a tireless performance in the centre of midfield. Dave McKenzie
U8s
05.11.05
Albury Eagles 1 – 0 Brockham Red
The Eagles in their season opener won a close fought game against a strong
Brockham side. The win came thanks to a stunning finish from a narrow angle by John McCloughlan (followed by an equally impressive celebration). The Eagles also had their defence to thank for the result with a sterling
performance from Toby Gibbs who was man of the match. Also, our heroic keeper Alex Thrower, who started the morning looking as pale as death but ended it a hero with several great saves including one from a penalty. Nick Sanders
U8s
05.11.05
Albury Griffins 0– 0 BrockhamBlue
The Griffins were unlucky not to also win their opener. We dominated the
game, and the chances, against the team currently top of the league. Sadly
we were unable to get the ball in the net. Good performances from Lewis
Haldenby, who was man of the match together with Fred Sanders. NS
STRIKER COURSE
30 Eagles and Griffins much enjoyed attending a three day training course on the Heath over Half Term, carefully put together by James Brown, one of our U11s coaches.
With positive feedback from players and parents, the format will be repeated at February Half Term, 13-17 Feb, actual dates to be confirmed nearer the time.
EVENTS COMING UP……..
Sat 17 Dec
Christmas Party, Albury Village Hall.
Two parties actually:
U6s-u9s will be from 1pm-3pm
U10s and over from 3pm-5pm
I would be grateful if individual age group Mums can start thinking about organising personnel to carry this off!
Helps and hints from Club Treasurer, Lynne Smith on 01483 203922
Sat 14 Jan is gonna be a busy old day……
Apart from several Albury games on, we have booked training at Fulham FC for 16 club members (age U8+) after which you can sit back and see Michael Owen and Alan Shearer attempt to sneak Newcastle United off with the points.
Guide price around £30 per head.
First come first served basis.
More match tickets available too.
Then later that evening, the Drummond Arms, Albury will stage the now familiar Eagles Quiz Night, Mr and Mrs Betts once again asking the questions.
A popular and fun evening, so book your teams of 6 in as soon as you can.
Editor - Tony Hern
01483 202936 07891 480343
Email: tonyhern@lineone.net
Website: www.alburyeagles.com |
