On a glorious spring morning both Eagles and Falcons headed down the road to face our local rivals Cranleigh with Eagles facing the Cranleigh Lions who they beat narrowly back in September. We were greeted by their friendly and welcoming coaches who had prepared a beautiful pitch, the kind of warm welcome that makes the role of coach a pleasure.

P1 - Eagles began brightly particularly Tommy sporting his new luminous orange Albury goalkeepers kit! Fortunately, Tommy had little to do as Leo and Max bossed the midfield and Alfred and Christopher provided great defensive protection. After 5 mins Leo opened the scoring with a well taken goal which was soon followed by a wonderful goal from Max after a classic counter attacking move which began with Albury defending a corner!
P2 - Max continued where he had left off, this time in the thick of the action at the defensive end and a last ditch tackle that stopped a certain Cranleigh goal. Ashton took over the defensive lead with some well timed challenges along with Alexander who despite playing with an injury was able to contribute going forward too. Then came the moment we had been waiting for all season! Albury were defending another corner and the ball was cleared up to Jack who raced forwards and finished with style. Then, having waited all season for one we nearly had a second but unfortunately Jack’s stinging shot went just wide of the goal.
P3 - After his first half heroics at either end Max then took over in goal and added a clean sheet to his days work. After his goal and first half exploits Jack left the field to heroic applause and with a Clarke Kent style kit change Tommy reappeared in sky blue to good effect down the left wing and very nearly got himself a goal, but was unfortunate to see his shot fly inches wide of the Lions goal. Digby continued to work hard down the right wing and offer himself at goal kicks which shows great awareness and progression from September. Alfred continued to be a rock at the back with some tough well timed tackles that preserved our clean sheet going into the final period.
P4 - Alfred went in goal for the start of the 4th period and was instrumental in starting the breakaway move that saw Leo score his second. Unfortunately Alfred was unable to do anything to stop a well taken Cranleigh goal that was well deserved. Alfred then took up the role of right winger with Leo donning the gloves and showing us he can stop goals aswell as score them! Alexander was unfortunate to see his shot go wide after a bundle by the Lions keeper, but Albury were able to play out the final minutes of the season with some organised positional play to show us all just how far they have come.
Today was a thoroughly enjoyable morning for a multitude of reasons including the weather, location, the friendly opposition, the spirit of the match and the fact the boys enjoyed themselves from start to finish. The final Eagles match of a wonderful first season which has seen them improve, grow and evolve, make new friendships and above all have fun! Thanks boys for letting me be a part of it, I have loved it. Now bring on the summer tournaments!
Eagle of the Week - Alfred