12.30pm, Saturday 12 September, Archbishop Tenison Sports Ground
Eagles start the new season in style
Jonas Peeters assisted four goals in the first competitive match at the new home of the Surbiton Eagles to help send them top on the opening day of the Wimbledon & District League One 2020/21 campaign.
Goals from Andy Symms, Will Satterthwaite, Garth Foley and a Phil Courtney brace secured an emphatic victory against promotion rivals Clapham Cosmos on a warm opening day in South West London.
The Eagles started into their rhythm quickly and a high team press caused Clapham Cosmos early problems maintaining possession and allowed the ever presents Luke Hinds, Andy Symms and Shaun Lugo to control the game from midfield with Wing Backs Harry Satterthwaite and George Woodger showing intent to get forward.
The Eagles looked to convert their early dominance into chances and – in a sign of things to come – Peeters caused havoc on the left hand side before switching play to W. Satterthwaite on the right hand side who took a touch and shot narrowly over from range. A Phil Courtney effort was hacked off the line after more build up play from Peeters, before the Eagles deservedly broke the deadlock when the Belgian wizard skipped a couple of challenges before picking out the run of Andy Symms, who slotted home with a sliding finish running onto the ball in the channel between keeper and defence.
The Eagles first half centre back pairing of Dan Long and Jez Barton provided a solid foundation for the team to build and allowed the midfield to control the game and pick out the forwards, spearheaded excellently by Phil Courtney. The Eagles doubled their lead shortly after when Jonas Peeters again beat his markers on the left hand side and cut a pass back inside the edge of the box to an onrushing W. Satterthwaite who took a touch before rifling home a powerful high left footed finish across the keeper who stood watching.
The Eagles almost made it 3 before half time when Harry Satterthwaite, a thorn in Clapham’s side all afternoon, burst into the far right corner of the penalty area rushing onto a bouncing through pass and his clean first time half volley whistled just wide of the otherwise beaten keepers’ post.
Eagles introduced John Guest from the bench, the Eagles’ veteran slotting in well in the back line.
HALF TIME
Half time substitute Garth Foley set a new record of fastest debut goal after a great burst of pace to get on the end of a Jonas Peeters low cross to bundle the ball in at the far post 3 minutes after the restart to make it 3-0.
Clapham Cosmos had grown into the game before the end of the first half and established a foothold in the game after the Eagles had made it 3-0. They enjoyed a 20 minute spell of possession but the Eagles back four, which saw Scott Woods make his return at half time, passed their inspection and limited the number of chances they were able to create, with keeper Matt Corby dealing well with what they did manage to throw him.
The Cosmos were rewarded for their improved second half display however, when a dangerous cross towards their back post runners forced Dan Long into an attempted clearance which ended in his own net. A cruel blow to a solid performance and a goal certainly true to the cliche – it was one of those he had to go for. 3-1.
Clapham were energised and had a new lease of life in search of a comeback. A powerful and quick left winger was threatening to cause problems but was kept at bay by a focused Eagles back line. A superb sliding challenge from Scott Woods on the edge of the box scuppered the wingers best chance of the match and marked the end of the Cosmos fightback.
The Eagles’ pre-season fitness work paid dividends with the team in blue finishing the match as strongly as they started it. Hinds, Symms and Lugo took control of the match and got the forwards back in the game and the Eagles fourth goal came after some skilful work from Harry Satterthwaite on the right flank, proving once again too much for the Cosmos to handle before his pinpoint cross found Phil Courtney who made no mistake in the box to make it 4-1.
H. Satterthwaite was involved again moments later when his through pass played Jonas Peeters in behind, who squared to an onrushing Courtney, completing his brace and Peeters’ fourth assist of the match a few minutes before full time.
Man of the Match: Jonas Peeters
Eagles starting XI: Corby (GK), Woodger (LB), Long (CB and captain), Barton (CB), H. Satterthwaite (LB), Hinds (CM), Lugo (CM), Symms (AMC), Peeters (AML), W.Satterthwaite (AMR), Courtney (ST)
Subs: Guest, S.Woods, Foley