This was billed to be a tough game for the Eagles against Colne Valley. Colne Valley are top of the league and ten points clear. The Eagles were excited to prove themselves and started the game strongly. For the first time the Eagles had to leave players at home as all players were eligible to play. This meant that Maeve and Maiya missed the clash and will start next week. Tabitha and Ruby started the game strongly with dominating tackles and massive kicks. As the defending line pushed higher up the field, a half way lob from Ruby got the Valley’s goalkeeper warmed up. Five minutes later after a long session in the Albury half, the ball went into touch for an Eagle’s throw in. Tabitha shot off another cannon ball throw that bounced kindly for Ella, she was unable to control it and the ball bounced in the air and landed well for Lyla in the box. Lyla touched it in the bottom left corner for the first goal of the match. The Eagles could taste victory at this point, but was it premature?

Colne Valley shook up their midfield and brought on another striker. The battle was on in midfield. Emma AM was starting the game in right midfield. She looked comfortable in this new position, controlling the ball well and getting off some tight passes to her team mates. The wind started to pick up and with the Eagles playing into it, the balance of play was against them. Colne Valley’s new striker received the ball just outside the box on the right corner. She turned and hit a superb looping strike across the goal clearing Seren for a beautiful goal. The score was 1-1.

As half-time arrived so did the rain, with temperatures around 6 degrees and a significant wind chill, the conditions were uncomfortable. Heidi found herself in the second half working hard to keep Colne Valley’s new striker out of the Eagles half. The Eagles looked at ease at the back with Tabitha, Ruby and Heidi, all keeping the ball in the oppositions half. Freya and Amber alternated on the left side of midfield. Freya looking comfortable with the ball at her feet and she pressurised the Valley defence into a number of attacking corners. Amber played a more defensive midfield, linking up with Ella at the centre and starting to provide some balls in for Liv. Liv played up front for the Eagles, mixing physicality with pace to cut through the defence. Towards the end of the game two defenders were marking Liv. With Liv being double marked, this created opportunities for Stella, a nice ball into the box saw Stella look dangerous in front of the goal. The goal didn’t come for her today, but the next team will need to keep an eye out as she will not be so generous next time.

The final score was 1-1 in difficult conditions against the top team. Go the Eagles.