ALBURY EAGLES Football Club

Wishing all players, coaches, parents and supporters a Very Happy Christmas.

There is some training on Sat 22 December, and through the holidays, but please check with your coaches for actual timings.

Another good fighting display from the boys, who remain top of the league for Xmas after a vital win. (You know what they say about the team that's top at Xmas!). Albury led 3 -2 at halftime with a hat-trick from Dan Kelly. The team showed great determination as they came under pressure from a good Broadbridge Heath side. Albury extended their lead in the second half as Dan Kelly picked up his 4th goal of the game. A late rally from Broadbridge Heath saw them pull a goal back, but Albury held on for the vital win. Man of the Match was Zac Smith who was very strong and assured in defence.

This week we were at home to Billingshurst, Albury started the game very well with 4 or 5 chances in the first 10 minutes. But Billingshurst broke away from an Albury corner to take the lead. Albury continued to dominate and finished the first half with a 3 – 1 advantage thanks to goals from Harry Good with two and Steven Lake with one. In the second half we continued with the pressure and Jack Gill won a penalty but unfortunately could not convert it. Billingshurst then started to get a grip on the game and pulled it back to 3 - 2. But a final push from the boys gave us a well deserved 4 – 2 victory and Harry Good completed his hat-trick.

Billingshurst Youth 2 - 7 Albury Eagles
Albury Eagles U12s started off in this match in what has become their normal way ...by going one nil down !!!. The Eagles conceded an early goal , but Harvey Marshall made no mistake with a strike from well outside the area to level the score. Christopher Brooks added another a little later but Billingshurst's spirited attitude allowed them to equal the scoreline once again. Phil Smith made sure that Albury left the pitch with the advantage just before half time with a well taken goal , but Albury left the field in no doubt that their second half performance had to be better.
After having had the error of their ways pointed out by manager John Duff during the break, the Eagles returned to the style of play that they have made their own. Swiftly adding four more goals to their tally through another goal from Harvey Marshall and two from Phil Smith (Man of the Match ) to complete his hat-trick for the second time this season. Albury dominated the rest of the game which left goal keeper Freddie Wall little to do and it was Laurie Owen who rounded off the day with Albury's seventh goal in this match.

A fantastic gutsy display from the boys again today. We knew this week’s return match against Cranleigh would be tough as we beat them 5 – 0 last week. Albury went a goal down inside the first 3 minutes, but recovered well to equalise through Harvey Owen. Albury then went behind again as Cranleigh piled on the pressure. But the response again from the boys from the Heath was fantastic! A ball over the top to Dan Kelly saw him round the keeper to slot in the equaliser after the keeper had parried his first attempt. Then on the stroke of half time Dan Kelly again broke free to again round the keeper and make no mistake to make it 3 – 2 at half time. Into the second half Albury had again to soak up Cranleigh pressure before a goal came as the ball bounced up and over Ben Walter to give Cranleigh their equaliser. But with about 7 minutes to go, Dan Kelly again broke free, hitting a fierce shot which the keeper could only parry, straight into the path of the on rushing Harvey Owen who made no mistake from 6 yards. So the final score was Cranleigh Cobras 3 – 4 Albury Eagles. Man of the Match was Keith Fagg for his fantastic efforts in midfield. As there were no matches for the teams above us, Albury have moved to the top of the league 2 points ahead of the pack. Well done to everyone!

Matchday Refreshments

Visits to other clubs are often complemented by the provision of matchday snacks and drinks – bacon butties, cups of coffee etc.

Eagles are beginning to offer this as a service, obviously on a voluntary basis from parents keen to get involved. If you are willing to help on this front, please get in touch with the Club Secretary.

It will also raise some useful cash for the club coffers.

Many thanks.

Reporting

A plea from the Club Secretary - I need scores, scorers and reports in by Monday morning to make this newsletter effective. Holding on for several days until there is enough material denies us all the chance for a weekly newsletter providing all the match info from the previous Saturday.

Appoint a reporting rep for each age group or team would be a great idea if we could manage it, all I need is a couple of lines sent by email.

Thanks, Tony.

Girls Football

Whilst we intended to begin a girls side this season, there is still insufficient demand to make this happen.

Enquiries, in the first instance please, to Club Secretary.

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