Report

Eagles progress to the Supplementary Cup Final....
On a fine sunny day in Higham the Eagles progressed to the Cup Final after a great game of football v Longfield Tigers Blue. The Eagles team was displaced after losing Goal keeper Jack Taylor to illness so Rio Dhami and hayden Robinson bravely steped up to fill in between the sticks. Rio went in first half and put in a solid display. The ever eager Freddy Gardner was given the captaincy and led from the front, creating some good chances that he couldn't quite convert. He was backed up well by an industrious midfield of Oli Taylor and Chris Ward who put in a great shift covering the ground and linking up with Freddy. The back three amigos of Willem Milton, Hayden Robinson and Lewis Johnson worked well together again and limited the Longfield chances.
It took around 10 minutes before the first goal went in, a rifled shot from Oli Taylor on the edge of the box flew into the bottom corner. 1-0 Eagles! The boys continued to play well and pressed hard but the ball just wouldn't fall right with any of the attacking players and the boys went in 1 up at half time, thanks in part to Rio in the sticks who came off his line quickly and bravely to deny the on rushing Longfield forward.
The second half began with some enforced changes. Hayden took charge between the sticks to give Rio a run out on pitch meaning the Eagles had to go 2 at the back. Longfield also knew that if they won they had a chance of silverware, so came out on the attack from the re-start. They began to press and eventually after some stout defending from Willem and Lewis the ball broke to the forward who smashed the ball in to level the scores. Hayden the keeper had no chance, although he did manage to get a finger tip onto it, a great effort. 1-1. Eagles then realised they were in a game and started quickly from the kick off. Rio was up ended just inside the Longfield half, free kick. Willem was asked to step up and take it, and he fired in a ferocious drive from distance. The ball was hit hard and true but looked to be hitting the keepers hands as Rio popped up with a deft flick header to divert the ball into the net!!! 2-1 Eagles... Unfortunately though they were missing JT in goal and the presence of Hayden at the back, and Longfiled came at them again and another effort from distance flew in rocket like past Hayden, who again had no chance to save. Longfield then began to believe they could win the game and grew into the half having several shots, one of which canoned back off the post, but had it been on target Hayden had it covered. The hard working Chris Ward was then replaced in midfield by an eager Nathan Phillips for the last 5 minutes of the game. Both teams were pushing for a winner but it was not to be, 2-2. Extra Time needed. 2 five minute halves to get the all important winning goal, which both teams wanted to avoid the dreaded penalty shoot out. The busy Oli Taylor was replaced after putting in a good busy shift both in the middle and at the back for Eagles, and again both teams pressed for a winner, but Willem remained strong at the back once more for Eagles and put in some great challenges and clearances. At the other end captain Freddy never gave up and created more chances, but the ball just wouldn't go in. 2-2. HT of ET.
Second half of extra time and Nathan, after being busy in midfield, had to be replaced after injuring his leg and on went the rejuvinated Oli T. The Eagles began to domintae and had chance after chance, and more corners and then, with three minutes left the ball was delivered into the Longfield box. There was a bit of pinball between legs before a great save from the keeper, then cleared off the line by the defender onto Freddy's head, he rose up met the ball with his forehead but was denied by the foot of the post! More pinball happened before Rio Dhami managed to poke the ball home. 3-2 Eagles :-)
Rio then dropped back and helped the boys hang on to a hard fought victory and a place in the Final. Well done!!!!
MOTM: Willem Milton. Imense again at the back with some strong challenges, headers and clearances. His well hit free kick made the second goal too.... Excellent work, but again another great team effort and a big thank you to Rio and Hayden for stepping into JT's shoes in goal.