The Eagles were on the road again on Sunday – this time to local rivals Farncombe for a midday kick-off. With a squad of 13 players for the game, albeit a couple of the girls still carrying knocks, there was a feeling amongst the players that they would need to make possession count today and be a little less wasteful in front of goal.
With the opposition lining up with 5 players in defence and just one up front the Eagles struggled at first to get a sight of goal. The Farncombe team soaked up early pressure and then counterattacked with pace from their wide midfielders and their attacker. However, Ava, Ruby Tabs and Ria looked solid in defence and largely untroubled. The main issue was that when the ball went behind the Albury backline the Eagles defenders often opted to kick the ball out for a corner rather than a throw in and this invited pressure on the team as Farncombe launched a number of powerful and well directed corners into the penalty area. But Seren, who had a dominant game in goal met them all with confidence and looked as secure as ever between the posts
As the half progressed the Eagles midfield of Ella, Cassidy, Bonnie and Molly began to win the 50:50 challenges and move the ball wide to Freya and Lyla who both posed a threat with Lyla’s strength on the ball and Freya’s speed in attack. Gaps started to appear in the Farncombe defence and several shots went just wide or too close to the keeper to be effective. Despite the pressure the Eagles couldn’t make it count. However after a scramble in the Farncombe area, Ella managed to poke the ball towards goal and the Farncombe keeper struggled to catch it and it found its way in to the back of the net. Moments later Ella was fouled just inside the area and a penalty was awarded. Up stepped Lyla who drilled the ball firmly but too close to the goalkeeper who pulled off a great save. That was the final action of the half
With the coaches demanding more urgency and quicker ball distribution to the wings, the Eagles started the second half at much greater pace. With Tori and Sophia on in midfield and Ava G making her debut in defence the eagles looked to increase their lead with some fast attacks but, again, there was some wayward shooting . Another corner to Farncombe saw yet another dangerous delivery and a skewed clearance ended up flying into the back of the Albury net to bring the scores level.
What the Eagles always do well is to come back fighting from any setback and more solidity in defence from Ria, who had a very solid game and Ava W and Ava G ensured there were no more shots on the Eagles goal. Within seconds of the restart after the goal, Ruby intercepted a pass in her own half and played an accurate ball to Freya which put her through on goal. No mistakes this time – 2-1 to the Eagles. The midfield started to dominate and great passing from Sophia, Ria, Molly, Bonnie and Cassidy, repeatedly saw the ball move quickly out to the wings for Lyla and Freya. A surging run from Tabs into the opposition penalty area ended with a shot on goal that went just wide and trickery from Lyla down the right with some twists and turns away from her marker saw her fire several shots just wide of the mark. With minutes to go the Eagles played a lovely move down the right and this time the cross was delivered accurately into the penalty area, away from the keeper, and Tori was there to tap it in for her first goal for the team

Star Player : Lyla