After last weeks defeat and lesson in passing from Cranleigh, our Eagles were keen to make amends as we made the short trip to our friends and rivals Dorkinians Greens.
However, the recent weather had made the grass pitches a mud bath that was not conducive to the beautiful passing game we had planned.
Actually the pitch made dribbling impossible so long passes were the aim of the game!
P1 - The match started brightly with both sides struggling to get going in the tricky conditions. Eagles went close with efforts from Max and Digby before Leo opened the scoring with a sensational solo run from halfway line. At the back Alfred protected Tommy in goal brilliantly, clearing his lines whenever the home side broke through. Tommy used his long kicking to good effect and regularly found Jack upfront who held up the ball bringing others into play. Jack was unlucky not to add to the scoreline when his shot hit the post!
P2 - Sullivan entered the fray and immediately caused havoc down the left flank for the Greens who couldn’t contain him or stop him scoring Eagles second goal. Digby and Max also bossed the midfield going close to scoring themselves. Rui came on upfront and caused the Greens problems but his silky skills were hampered by the conditions. Unfortunately, we were undone by a long ball which bypassed the mud bath in midfield and put Dorkinians on the scoresheet.
P3 - saw the Greens pull another goal back to draw it level at 2-2 with a well worked move that saw their striker 1 on 1 with Digby who could do nothing. Having conceded two in a row it was important to get the next goal and thankfully we did as Leo’s shot was partially saved and trickled over the line to give us the lead again. Sullivan continued to be everywhere and was becoming a marked man and along with Leo felt the full force of the Greens defence! Tommy was now outfield and using his pace to good effect down the right wing going very close to scoring were it not for a ball caked in mud that probably was twice as heavy as normal!
P4 - all to play for in the fourth but it was Dorkinians who struck first to level the scores at 3-3. From a corner Eagles were unable to clear and a simple poke from 5 yards out found the net. Despite conceding the goal Leo was determined not to be beaten again and made a string of fine saves to deny the home side, even gaining praise from the home coach! With good length on his goalkicks and Jack able to hold the ball upfront we had something to build on, and with only minutes to go Sullivan scored his second of the match to give us the narrowest of victories.
Well done boys on a brilliant team performance in challenging conditions, you should all be proud of your efforts.
Eagle of the Week - Sullivan