The mighty Surbiton Eagles F.C returned to the New Nest for another home game against a highly organised SLFC, in what served to be highly exciting game for the neutral.
Unfortunately, of course the Eagles and most people reading this are not neutral and whilst some would be happy with a point , others will treat this as two points dropped. But they shouldn’t, and here, Stats Fans, IS WHY!
Coming into this game off the back of two consecutive defeats, the Eagles had a point to prove, not only to themselves but to the other League members in the now customary, 12.30pm early kick off.
The Eagles maintained and insured their average of three goals per game was restored in, at times, some excellent, free flowing football, having won the arm wrestle to play our football in an entertaining duel.
The Eagles have a new found determination and organisation ensuring that most, if not all personnel, are ready one hour before kick-off to ensure tactics, formation and instructions are on point. The managerial duo’s introduction of fines for anyone over 10 minutes late, whilst controversial, has clearly focused the Eagles’ minds to ensure they are ready, waiting and chomping at the bit on the shrill of the whistle. Go on the B of the BANG is the terrible chat often heard ruminating from the side-lines.
Eagles, on paper, had some key personnel missing, however this was not evident in anyway shape or form as the extremely able Hutchison deputised between the sticks and very accomplished Furlonger took his place and opportunity with aplomb in the back four. TT and PC now have that ‘nice problem’ of a squad firing on all cylinders selection headache.
The Eagles welcomed the return of Williams to the left back birth following an horrendous nine month injury lay off. Kudos must go to this lad, as he returned with his trademark aggression, communication and defensive qualities.
Whilst it is not possible to mention every member of the squad yesterday, the continued aggression for the whole of the match is something that must be documented and is a welcome boost to compliment our technical ability.
Having said this, the Eagles, although starting brightly, found themselves staring down the barrel of a one nil deficit within 15 minutes. A grenade of a long throw (which the defence dealt with well all game) continually peppered the Eagles goal throughout the whole game.
A 6 yard melee following an initial flick ensured the Eagles faced an uphill task to get back onto level footing and fearing the worst.
To their credit, they duly climbed that hill and the writer of this report must accept responsibility for his failure to see the equalising goal, which I am informed was a 30 yard lob-come cross, come-shot from our 50% of our magnificent Satterthwaite duo, in this case Harry S.
The Eagles then began to not only win our battle and the right to play our football, this cliche is trotted out in our pre match teamtalk every week, but we then moved into the ascendancy as concerted pressure was applied on the opposition’s goal resulting in a corner and sensational delivery from how Belgian Wizard, Jonas, met by Barton in the middle of the goal with an unstoppable bullet to make it 2-1. It’s not the first time he’s done that either reader!
The Eagles go in 2-1 up at half time.
One enforced change that must be highlighted is the other Satterthwaite, who unfortunately had to retire injured within the first 10 minutes of the game. He did so having ensured the Eagles did not concede within 5 minutes following an immaculate challenge to prevent a certain goal. Clearly he was fouled during this block, the referee choosing to ignore it. This led to the introduction of Williams who though lack of match fitness, picked up the reins with consummate ease. There is golden thread of questionable refereeing decisions yesterday. At the risk of a fine let’s leave it at that.
Woods came on at half time for the very capable and highly impressive George, who once again is growing into his new roll as right back very well.
The Eagles, refreshed and refocused, were straight out of the traps, once again and into the ascendancy. Sheer determination ensured they would not be bullied by, on paper, a bigger and stronger opposition 14.
Another expert corner from once again the Belgian Wizard, Jonas, resulted in our South African import Garth, nodding home at the back post, when the ball appeared to be over and behind him. He wasn’t even second favourite to get to the ball, more like seventh, but somehow the South African Bull finds a way to put the Eagles 3-1 ahead.
With this 3-1 lead and around 35 minutes to go. Unfortunately, we then make life slightly more difficult for ourselves following a questionable decision from the referee to Sin Bin the resurgent, Williams.
Williams, the victim of a Pickford-esque maim, made his feelings known to the arbiter that he had clearly missed one. The result? Take a rest for 10 son. The Eagles now had 10 and the oppo smelt blood.
The Eagles rode this storm with a rejig in formation seeing out this 10 minutes and ensuring with 25 minutes to go it remained 3-1 lead.
But the Midfield was now spent and required some fresh legs as we had to defend for large parts of the second half. George replaced one of the two midfield generals with 15 minutes to go. The other midfield dynamo then taking a rest, as we rotated this three.
Special mention must go to Hutchison, who by now was displaying cat like qualities to resist the continual bombardment on the Eagles goal through two wonder saves.
Cue then the final 15 minutes. The Eagles were clearly hanging on despite intense pressure from the opposition. The Eagles continued to ride high until 10 minutes from time when the opposition managed to find a way through our hitherto excellent back five. This then buoyed the opposition and with 8 minutes to go another quick goal and equaliser It was now 3-3. Could the Eagles hang on?
The Eagles had to withstand such pressure with the opposition hunting for a matchwinner. To their eternal credit The Eagles withstood the kitchen sink being thrown as the match finished 3-3.
Last season we would have capitulated and lost (if you are still reading this tripe)?!
The final mention of this clearly too long and overdetailed match report must surely go to the fourth goal the Eagles scored, the Ghost Goal the record books will never show. The interplay when we had the ball on the floor in that first half was nothing short of exceptional. However it was the hard work to ensure we were able to get the ball, retain possession and carve the oppo open.
When we did this there was one particular passage of play that had the crowd and management salivating. The match report writer is unsure who actually played the ball through but it was an exceptional pass for Peeters to run onto, as he calmly slotted the ball around the advancing opposition keeper.
However for some unfathomable reason, in what surely must be considered an act of wilful and deliberate cheating, the opposition linesman gave this offside when Peters had clearly run from behind the defence and timed his run perfectly. The Eagles, would have gone into the break 3-1 ahead. Nothing less than their hard work deserved. But thems the breaks.
That said, it is an extremely improved level of commitment, determination and aggression from all players of that squad yesterday.
We now move on to a Cup game against opposition we know little about from the Surrey South Eastern Combination Junior Division 3!
Whilst on the face of it, the Eagles maybe disappointed with letting a two-goal lead slide in the last 10 minutes, they MUST not be too disheartened with this. It should be remembered that the Eagles were coming off the back of a two game consecutive defeat and they were of course playing against a team unbeaten in the league.
Testament goes to the hard work, determination and aggression that have been the buzzwords in the chat groups and pre-match team talks over the last few weeks.
This is now the Eagle way as we start what is hopefully a long and prosperous cup run.
Come on you super Eagles!
Man of the Match: Jeremy Barton
Eagles starting XI: Hutchinson, Woodger , W. Satterthwaite (inj 5), Barton, Furlonger, Hinds, Lugo, Peeters, H. Satterthwaite, Foley, Courtney
Subs: B. Williams (on 5), S.Woods (on 45) ,