ALBURY EAGLES Football Club

Dates For Your Diary

Saturday 1^st September

First Training and Registration Day on Albury Heath, 9am til Noon.

Saturday 8^th September

Horsham League

kicks off again for our

U11, U12, U13 and U14 teams.

Apologies for the gap since the last newsletter – three months – pressure of work and cricket commitments mostly, but here goes with a review going back to mid March…..

The Under 10s threw away a glorious chance at Brockham Saturday before last, losing the quarter final to Stoneleigh Athletic 1-0.

In the group stages we won 4 out of 5 games, scoring 10 goals and conceding only 2 in a game we lost in the last minute.

Over 100 players took part in the Fun Day tournaments staged on the Heath on the second Sunday in June.

The event coincided with Albury FC’s Centenary celebrations, and some prestigious awards were presented at 2pm by Surrey County FA.

Drew Nicholson, chair of Albury Cricket and Football Club gave a warm welcome to the FA delegation comprising:

Ray Lewis (Chairman, Surrey County FA), Peter Adams (President, Surrey County FA), Ray Ward (Secretary, Surrey County FA), Les Pharo (Director, Surrey County FA) and Vic Rolland (Director, Surrey County FA and Chair of Surrey Referee’s Committee).

Roland Woods accepted a commemorative picture on behalf of Albury FC, after which Tony Hern accepted a handsome club plaque on behalf of Albury Eagles FC.

The season’s awards were then to be presented, featuring Top Scorer, Most Improved Player and Player’s Player selections from each squad – but sadly, the trophy order has got lost in the post. A re-order has been made, and this ceremony will now be conducted on first day back on the Heath in the new season – Registration Day on Saturday 1^st September.

Even so, it was handshakes all round, as the following recipients were given the official FA handshake several times over –

The Golden Boot trophy was presented on Fun Day to the Top Scorer in the whole club, rewarding Oliver Stephens (U10s) with the fine achievement of netting 33 goals in matches this season.

www.dephoto.co.uk during Fun Day, and they have amassed several hundred player pictures on their website.

Many thanks to all who helped so splendidly to pull the event together, and after a well earned summer break, we all look forward to next season when play starts up again.

We already have one or two girls playing in some of our junior squads, and I am wondering if this is now the time to consider trying to put together a 7 a side girls team. It could perhaps be comprised of three age groups, but there are a few local clubs now who have made enquiries as to whether we can get a match on.

One such club, Hearts FC, who will be joining the Tadworth League next season, field a number of girls at mostly U9 and U10, so please let me know if this project is ready to move forward. Ed.

Postscript. Congratulations to Ellie Shill who won top prize of £10 on the penalty shoot out at Fun Day.

Firstly congratulations to all the players who played at Upton Park, and came away as WINNERS of the Plate knockout tournament.

A very big thank you to all the parents who braved the bitter cold and wet conditions for what turned out to be a very long afternoon!

To summarise for those that weren't there: at group stage we were first off against Harlow Town and started well dominating the first 5 minutes but then after conceding a goal from a free kick at the edge of the box, we completely lost our shape, and heads! in defence and midfield to lose 2 more goals in a 5 minute spell. Despite sorting ourselves out to hold the score at 3-0 with Oli Turner pulling off a number of wonderful saves, it was a disappointing start.

We roared backed in our game against Moulton Fields who had won their first game convincingly to win 3-0 with Matt, Harry C and Joe all scoring. Our midfield laid the foundations as Harry C excelled with support from Matt and Joe. We looked more solid in defence with Jack making a number of good tackles. As a team we played well in spells but at this stage we were clearly not at our best.

We finished our group games against Elmdon Rovers who had played well in their first 2 games but had come away losers in both. We went 1-0 up with Oli S rising to head home a corner and looked to be coasting to our second victory. Suddenly Elmdon got 2 goals , 1 deflected, to puncture our complacency and we were then dependent on the result of Harlow Town v Moulton Fields to decide which knockout competition we went through in. For a while it looked like Harlow would get their third consecutive victory which meant we would qualify for the main knockout competition as 2nd place within the group, but Elmdon got a deserved equaliser which meant we finished 3rd in group and went through to the plate knockout competition , as it turned out, a blessing in disguise.

In the quarter final we played Stone Athletic and despite a good start went 1-0 down to another deflected shot. We were struggling to get our passing game together when Fraser hit a shot from distance exactly as we had asked before the game. The keeper fumbled it in wet conditions for us to equalise, Fraser went close with another shot and then Joe played an excellent pass to put Harry F through to finish well and secure our place in the semi final.

The semi saw us face Guernsey Royals. Despite never quite hitting top form, Matt in particular had a good game linking well with Oli S and Joe, and Harry F came on to test some weary opposition legs late on. Oli S was unlucky as the keeper saved well after he broke free from the defence and then Matt got a good first goal from a cross and then for the second time in the tournament a well worked corner came together for Fraser to put us 2-0 up with a run from deep as practised in training. With Oli T looking as safe as houses and George and Ryan controlling things at the back we dealt with a number of opposition corners and were home safe.

The final of the plate competition was against Torguespeed who had played some good football to come back from 1-0 down to win their hard fought semi 2-1. With our midfield looking a little tired, our flair players who had started to get it together in the semi sensed glory and at last came to life with Harry F in particular and Oli S looking as if they really meant business. At the back Oli T, Ryan and George were looking very comfortable and then with our best move of the tournament Harry F got down the right to the by-line to cross and Oli S got in front of the defender and keeper to put us 1-0 up. Confidence spread and with Matt & Harry C winning the ball well, and with Oli T, Ryan and George looking even more confident at the back, we at last started to play some decent football. Harry F and Oli S had their best games of the tournament and Joe came on for yet another important contribution with a perfect cross from another well worked corner for Harry F to dart towards the near post and rise and glance a powerful header in the bottom corner of the net and put us 2-0 up.

A long and wet day saw us well deserved winners after a number of semi final and final defeats in previous competitions. Every player in the squad made a valuable contribution. Oli T and George were superb throughout and were both models of consistency with George leading by example with gutsy tackles and bringing the ball out from defence particularly well in the final, Matt and Harry C gave absolutely everything in midfield and dug deep when the team wasn't playing at all well, Ryan came to the fore as the tournament went on looking completely in control in the knockout stages and Jack ("the Wall") Bewsey didn't miss a tackle all afternoon, Fraser produced a goal out of nothing in the quarter final to bring us level and did exactly what we asked to score from the corner in the semi, Joe in particular shone & prospered throughout on the small pitch with close skills and good passing and Harry F and Oli S came good to play their best football when it really mattered to see us home in the final.

I would recommend you look at the website www.rwt-photography.co.uk as shots of individuals, the Eagles in action (mostly George Mackenzie actually!) and the team with their plates are all loaded on the site. The team pic on the pitch at the end is particularly good.

Thanks again to all that turned up and the boys that played in the 6-a-side tournament. We fielded 2 teams at U13 level. Our Albury Griffins were drawn in a very difficult group. They showed great spirit and heart but lost all but one game. In their last match they managed a draw 2-2 with Sam Bunyan scoring both goals.

Albury Griffins results-L 2-0 Royal Utd A,L 2-0 Ockley Blues,L 2-0 Cranleigh Cobras,D 2-2 Southwater.

Albury Griffins were Alex Henson, Alex Shelton, Adam Lawson, James Ellenger and George Stephens.

Our Albury Eagles side fared better. They won their league and progressed to the Semi’s where they won 1-0 then lost to our nemesis, Old Dorkinians 1-0 in the final after extra time after thrashing them 4-0 in the group stage.

Albury Eagles results-W 4-0 Royal Utd B,W 1-0 Ockley Whites,D 0-0 Brockham Badgers,W 4-0 Old Dorkinians.

Albury Eagles were John Pearce, Josh Lawson, Chris Caley, Dan Kingshott, Zac Smith and Dan Kelly.

Matches Played on

Saturday 12^th May

Matches Played on

Saturday 5^th May

This match was well worth the trip and the boys won 2-1 at Woodmansterne Hyde ( who said they won the Tadworth U10's this year?). It was a good performance all round. Tom and Adam both did well in goal, George and Jack were superb in winning the ball and passing it out of defence, Fraser again adapted well to playing in the centre of midfield, Adam again looked at home in midfield, Joe had one of his best games of the season imposing himself against good opposition particularly in the second half when Tom also played some really good passes. Both the goals scored by Oli and Tom were excellent moves and up front Harry F and Oli S were simply outstanding in their link play and their pace and skill had the opposition defence in tatters, if anything they were too good electing to pass with the goal at their mercy which Dave yet again said was just like the Arsenal! Trevor Stephens

Matches Played on

Saturday 28^th April

Albury Eagles 1 -5 RoffeyRobins
Albury Eagles under 11's hopes of lifting the Heron Way Cup trophy in their very first season were dashed after a deserved win by Roffey Robbins at the Broadbridge Heath sports centre. Albury went in to the final knowing that the match against Roffey would be tough, and although having several chances early on, the strength of the group A Champions showed, with three goals entering the Albury net before half time. The Eagles rallied at the start of the second half with a goal from David Hearns, but Albury's hopes of a come back were soon seen off with two further goals from the Roffey Robins team .
Eagles manager John Duff thanked everyone who turned up on the day and added "It was nice to see so many supporters at the match, Unfortunately it wasn't to be our day but I think overall it has been an excellent season. To win our league and to reach the Cup final from nearly 40 teams is a fine achievement and reflects well on the boys and the Club of Albury.
The Albury teams disappointed mood after the match, soon turned to celebration however, with the presentation of the Horsham and District Youth Football League division C winners shield, individual trophies were also presented to each of the boys along with their cup final runners up awards.

Not the result we wanted, but we had a fantastic day out and the boys have done us proud over the whole of the season, so we shouldn't be too disappointed.

Matches Played on

Saturday 21^st April

Matches Played on

Saturday 14^th April

Matches Played on

Saturday 7^th April

Matches Played on

Saturday 31^st March

This was our last league game of the season. A good result to end the season on. Leading 2 – 1 at half-time,with 2 goals from Dan Kelly, Albury piled the pressure on. A goal from Chris Caley and one from George Stephens sealed the result. A very good performance as Albury played all of the second half with 10 men as Phil Earle hurt his head in a clash trying to win a header, and we didn’t have any subs available for this match. Albury finished 2^nd in the league with 37 points, just behind Old Dorkinians.

Also, it’s farewell to Alex Henson and his dad Sage(club chairman) as Alex can’t play next season as he is changing to a Saturday school. These were founding members of our club. Alex was one of the original 8 boys who helped start up our club. Also thanks to Sam Bunyan and his dad Keith for their support too, as they also cant play next season.The same goes for Teagan and his parents Wayne and Bea, Thanks again.

Handcross 1 – 8 Albury Eagles
An excellent Albury Eagles under 11s team secured the Horsham and District League C title in their debut season with an away win at Handcross. A goal after only 56 seconds by Nathanael Farrant, his thirtieth of the season , lead the way to a comfortable win with George Duff, Tom Cantoni , George Blackbee, Christopher Brooks and Jack Childerstone all netting goals to add to the final scoreline.
The Eagles went into this match knowing that a win or a draw would give them the title and with George Duff 's two thumping free-kicks bulging the back of the net in the first half, Albury's celebrations got off to an early start. Handcross battled back in the second half and scored a consolation goal , but the day was Albury's and with further goals in the second half, the Eagles team went on to be worthy winners.
Manager John Duff congratulated his squad , who have won 11 of their 14 league matches, drawing one and only losing two all season, and added : "This has been a fantastic seasons performance by all of the players in the Albury Eagles under 11 squad, who in only their first year playing 11- a-side football have been deserved winners of the title.
The Eagles now go on to the Final of the Heron Way Cup to be played on the 28th April, hoping that they can made it a " cup double season ".

Matches Played on

Saturday 24^th March

Thanks to everyone who came to Roffey today to support the team. A really fantastic result. Going into this game we knew 3 points would guarantee us 2^nd place in the league and make sure we got promotion. Leading 4 – 0 at halftime and playing some lovely football, Albury created chance after chance against Division ‘C’ s bottom side. Goals from Chris Caley, Harvey Owen, Sam Bunyan and Zac Smith took away any nerves the boys had going into this match. The second half was more of the same. 4 more goals scored by Noah Pendle-Chambers, Keith Fagg, Dan Kingshott and a second from Chris Caley ensured a very comfortable 8-0 victory. Well done to the boys! A fantastic achievement and all within a short space of time.

Albury Eagles under 11s inched their way a little closer to the Horsham and district under 11's league title with a 1-6 win at Copthorne. One more win will guarantee that the trophy will find its way to Albury Heath and see the Eagles crowned as league champions.
Headers seemed to be the order of the day with Nathaneal Farrant and David Hearns both netting headed goals from pin point crosses sent into the area. David went on to score a second goal before half-time, whilst Nathaneal ended the game on a hat-trick his second in two weeks. Tom Cantoni's hard work throughout the whole of the match saw him rewarded with a well struck shot giving the Copthorne keeper no chance of a save.
This was another week when all of the Albury squad played really well and came away from the game with a deserved victory

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