ALBURY EAGLES Football Club

Last chance to reserve your table!

Albury Cricket and Football Club

Annual Dinner Dance

Albury Heath

Saturday 26^th April 2008

The annual get together for the whole club.

Tickets are £22.50 per head.

Reservations – please contact Tim Wall at

tim.w@dnxmarketing.com

or call 01483 202949 (office hours)

PROMOTIONS FOR THREE ALBURY SIDES !!!

The last football of the season on the Heath was conducted on Saturday with a tense title decider at U14 against Brockham Badgers ‘A’ followed by an impressive friendly performance from our U11s who beat Cranleigh, two divisions above them.

We have finished this season strongly, with 3 out of our 4 ‘11 a side’ teams gaining promotion in the Horsham League.

This means A division football for two of our sides next season, at U12s and U14s.

The Tadworth league games have all but finished, our U9 Griffins side taking pride of place here, winning their league by a country mile, gaining victories in all but one of their 18 games.

Albury Eagles Fun Day

Sunday 22nd June 2008

Albury Heath

Noon til 4pm

Tournament play for all members

Barbecue, Bar, Ice Cream

A fantastic result today sees us promoted to Div ‘A’. Everyone played their part. Albury led 4 – 0 at half time. Top scorer Dan Kelly proved to be too hot to handle once again for Brockham, who suffered at his hands in the away match. He bagged three goals. One was a perfect lob over the on rushing keeper to get things underway. Harvey Owen fired a great cross into the box where an unlucky Brockham defender deflected the ball past his own keeper to make it 4 - 0. Albury were looking good to take the Div ‘B’ title until 8 minutes from time when Brockham pulled a goal back. The final whistle went and that goal Brockham scored was enough to give them the title by 1 goal from Albury. But both teams were happy as they will both be playing Div ‘A’ football in the Horsham League next season.

The Eagles last home fixture of the season against Cranleigh and former keeper Oli Turner saw a stronger squad and stiff challenge, but the Eagles were boosted by the return to the midfield engine room of former skipper Wil "Captain Fantastic" Onslow from a years sabbatical prior to his return next season.

An even game saw some good early play with some excellent passing from Adam Clarke and a couple of neat passing breakouts from the restored Daniels/Stephens strike force before the Eagles went one down to a classy goal. However persistent play from the Eagles saw Harry Ford beat Oli Turner to a late through ball to lift the ball over the on-rushing keeper to bring the scores level at the break.

Some good passing play immediately after the break with Fraser Millis back in the groove, saw player of the week Wil Onslow celebrate his return with a shot over the keeper to put the Eagles ahead. He then went even closer when he returned a goal kick, full on back over the keepers head from 10 yards inside the half only to see the keeper scramble back to put the ball wide as he collided with the post.

With Captain Mackenzie marshalling his defence the Eagles were unlucky to see Cranleigh draw level with a piercing break through the middle that left substitute keeper Adam Clarke with no chance, however, a last minute goal line panic saw defensive destroyer Ryan Lintott grab the glory with a lethal finish from 1 yard to see the Eagles beat division A Cranleigh 3-2! A fantastic end of season game played in excellent spirit bodes well for the future following the Eagles promotion to Division B.

Albury warmed up for their Div ‘B’ title decider with Brockham in the Horsham League next week with a friendly win over Div ‘A’ side Ockley Utd. Albury were trying out a few new possible signings in readiness for next season. Top goal scorer Dan Kelly was in electric form as he bagged 5 goals for Albury. He gave an experienced Ockley defence problems throughout the match. New boy Tom Allen also hit 3 goals as his pacey runs proved too much for Ockley. Winger Chris Caley rounded off the scoring with a low drive past the goalkeeper. This was a good performance by the whole team. This boosted confidence for next weeks match where Albury need to avoid defeat to be promoted along with Brockham. But a win by 4 goals or more would see Albury crowned as Div ‘B’ Champions.

A comfortable victory for Eagles as they completed their fixtures for the season. Goals from Harry Good and James Hern in the second half rewarded some great approach play throughout the game, whiolst some sound defending especially from Man of the Match Jack Gill gave Henry Schoen and Cameron Rogers little to do between the posts as they vied for the keeper’s jersey.

The Eagles had a weakened side to face Lower Beeding, being without the influential Captain George Mackenzie, Sammy "Mr Cool" Lewis, defensive stalwart Ryan Lintott, midfield maestro Fraser Millis, utility man Matt Foster, the athletic Harry Collins and one half of their free scoring strike duo "Rocket" Robbie Daniels.

With exception of Jack "the wall" Bewsey the Eagles had a small team facing a battle almighty ,and despite some promising early play were soon unpicked by some quality play from Lower Beeding who took an early 2-0 lead. The team spirit of the Eagles was exceptional however, and led by captain for the day Tom Cain and superb performance from Adam Clarke who ran and passed himself to a standstill the Eagles gradually fought back. A lightening break from Harry "Houdini" Ford down the right saw him put a superb cross which Oli Stephens met on the half volley to put the ball in the top corner past the defender and on-rushing keeper from the edge of the box.

As the half finished with the Eagles taking more and more possession another break saw Adam Clarke play a peerless through ball which Oli Stephens hit first time from 25 yards to curl into the same top corner to bring the levels scores level.

The second half saw all hands to the pumps with Hugh Ferrey and Jack Bewsey ably supported by Zac Summerfield and Joe Mapp almost tackle themselves to a standstill. When Lower Beeding broke through player of the week David DJ Cole was unflappable and closed down every opportunity. The Eagles were denied a famous victory when Oli Stephens sublime hat trick lob from the edge of the box was ruled offside.

In an effort to fulfil the fixture list, this game had to be played midweek......

Well a great way to finish off the season with a superb win on a very boggy pitch. Last time the Lions played the Wasps it was at home in arctic conditions. However this time despite the sticky pitch the Lions really pulled together and played fantastic football.

Harry and Sam played upfront as a solid pair, David and Thomas strongly covered the midfield. Christopher and Max played their usual tight roles in defence and Oscar guarded the goal. After what seemed like a minute Sam scored the first goal and after that, then things just went down hill for the Wasps. Harry made it 2-0 within a minute of Sam's first. Then the attack was on and relentless it was. Harry hit the bar at least twice and the Lions just kept piling on the pressure. There must have been a force field across the goal, because the ball despite attack after attack just would not go in. On the rare occasions that the Wasps got the ball up to the Lions end they were thwarted by strong midfield and defence at every turn.

Billy who kindly stepped in to help the Lions took over the midfield from Thomas and played a strong game along side David. David had many excellent attacking runs and his hard work finally paid off with the third goal against the Wasps.
Half time took its while in coming and a fourth goal went in on the whistle and sadly didn't make it onto the score sheet. So at half time it was three nil to the Lions.

The second half saw Thomas come on for David and strong play continue. Christopher went in goal for Oscar who went into the midfield and Thomas was in defence with Max. The Lions continued the pressure and despite a slight comeback from the Wasps they could not break the Lions. Sam soon made it 4-nil and Harry despite having his goal at first disallowed then after the video ref and the eagle eyes of Thomas's dad decided it did go in, it was 5 - nil. Another excellent match to watch and a superb performance from the boys who played as a team, passed the ball around and set up chance after chance.

Man of the match is split between David for his great attacking play and deserved goal and Christopher for a power run up the wing way past the half way line, setting up yet another chance and for a sliding tackle worthy of Fifa 08 (other video games offering the chance to undertake sliding tackles are available to purchase at all major retailers.) Special mention should go to Sam for his amazing run up the middle scattering players in his wake, Thomas for playing out of his normal position and being in defence. Max for his unshakeable strong defensive play and Harry for his endless attempts at goal, Oscar for his continued runs with the ball and Billy for his excellent play and helping out at the last minute. Right I think that is everybody. Great season fellas finishing on that note really bodes well for next season/year.

Special thanks to Rod for his refereeing throughout the season and all the parents who have supported the boys through thick and thin, sleet, rain and shine!
Jon Rogers

We went into this match knowing that a win against East Grinstead would all but have us promoted into Div A. At start of play we only had 10 players available as top goal scorer Dan Kelly was unavailable. But Alex Henson and George Stephens answered a call up to be available for today’s match. A really windy day that turned to sleet made conditions very difficult. A goal from James Ellenger gave Albury the lead, but East Grinstead struck back with a looping shot to make it 1 – 1 at halftime. Into the second half and Albury fell behind as a defensive mix up allowed East Grinstead to take a 2 – 1. Albury pushed hard to get an equaliser against a very dogged East Grinstead side. Harvey Owen slotted the Albury equaliser after a couple of deflections from a corner. Then with 7 minutes to go George Stephens unleashed an unstoppable shot to make it 3 – 2 to Albury. Man of the Match was James Ellenger for a superb midfield performance.

Match-day Refreshments

Did you know that you can now get a match-day refreshment at the pavilion?

The breakfast ladies are always looking for extra hands to share the work out.

Just bowl up and see what you can do to help.

It also generates some useful cash for the club!

Situations Vacant

Your club committee is seeking a responsible parent to take on the role of Child Welfare Officer.

John Duff, our u12 manager, has handled this position for a number of years now, but would now like to pass on the baton. The position requires some paperwork, and the attendance of one or two meetings each year.

If interested, please contact Club Secretary, thank you.

NEWSLETTER