Eagles Poop on End of Season Party

Final game of the season. Fifth place assured for the Strikers. But this was a big match for the Eagles. Win and they got 2nd place and promotion. Lose or draw and Lakenheath take the prize. For the Strikers there was nothing at stake except pride and the need to take revenge on the 4-1 defeat in the Eagles earie earlier in the season. It’s a glorious sunny afternoon in Sawston and there’s a light breeze. Perfect weather to clip the Eagles wings !

We start playing downhill and the Eagles have the kick off. They’re soon at our back four but the lads stand strong showing going composure as the Eagles press. Tom and Leo provide a strong defensive shield for the centre backs. As Sammy and the centre forward chase towards goal Sam slides the ball out to Josh also facing his own goal. Despite Eagles’ pressure Josh quickly turns the ball out to Leo on the wing who with a fantastic piece of footwork turns defence into attack by sending Alex S on a run. What great football. No hoof and run here!

On the right Archie and Cosmo combine well to drive the play forwards, but the Eagles have probably got the upper hand in midfield right now and keep trying to slide the killer ball behind our defence. Some good play out wide by their Number 12 ends up with a driven shot well saved by David. Then another interception leads to a snap shot from distance which threatens to loop over David’s head. But he scrambles back and makes a great (and painful) save.

Soon the Strikers are back on the attack Pete and Bahador combine slickly to take the play down the left wing and we win a throw in. Then there is a bizarre incident. Pete gets the ball from the throw in. He takes it to the byeline and crosses to the penalty spot. Cosmo is waiting and he smashes the ball into the roof of the net. 1-0 to the Strikers and the boys are off celebrating.

Then as the teams re-group the Eagles’ linesman calls the ref over. Offside !  Who? Where? From the throw-in? From the cross? With a man on the goal line? Check the video. See if you can spot it. Anyway the ref accepts his call and the play is called back and the goal disallowed. We know the officials can only do their best, but after having had two goals disallowed last week this is getting to be an unpleasantly regular experience.

Still the boys shrug off the disappointment and re-apply themselves. Josh foils another Eagles foray and the ball breaks to Bahador who twinkles his way past the on-rushing opposition. He slides the ball inside to Reece who slots it forward to Pete. Some quick interplay with Alex S and the ball is chipped up for Archie to head on to Bahador who is bursting down the left.  Bahador races the gigantic full back who is twice his size and only a last ditch tackle prevents him getting into the box. That was some fantastic one touch football. The gaffer is beaming !

We’re looking comfortable now. Knocking the ball around with confidence, making the Eagles chase for everything. James F is busy and inventive and Leo keeps threatening to do something special. The sun is shining and everything is well in our world. This is usually where things go pear-shaped. And right on cue a move breaks down and the Eagles counter. The ball is lobbed over our defenders and the Chesteron centre-forward has a clear run on goal. Rats ! Our guys are scrambling to recover as the Number 12 bears down on David. Amazingly, Henry L comes sprinting across out of nowhere and closes him down. He veers left dribbling in and out as our players flood back and try to re-group. The Eagles are queueing up to shoot. There is total pandemonium. Josh and their second striker are poleaxed. The Chesterton supporters are ringing out with cries of “Shoot, Shoot, SHOOT !!”. I can’t bear to look. The ball is pinging around like a demented pin-ball machine. It’s played back and then, thankfully, a rather tame effort drifts wide of the post. Panic over, deep breaths, think calm thoughts, relax. Phew! Great defending - it was all under control. (Yeah, right!) Anyway that’s the first half, 0-0 and we wuz robbed.

After the break David comes out of goal and Alex S pulls on the goalie’s jersey. With promotion at stake the Eagles have been instructed to turn up the heat and are soon bearing down on us. Alex deals well with the first strike on his goal. There is a big struggle going on in midfield. Jon is having a great game at the heart of it and combining well with Bahador and Leo. There is a terrific phase of close passing as we proceed up field bringing Henry L and Archie into the fray as well.

Time for Chesterton to bring out their secret weapon. They have a throw-in and the defence watch with interest as the player takes a 15 yard run up. The throw is phenomenal  and lands in our six yard box where an Eagle forward launches himself backwards. The ball takes a massive loop off his head and lands beyond Alex in the back of the goal. We’re all a bit stunned and perplexed. How on earth did that happen? Meanwhile, the Eagles are going mental, as well they might. 0-1 to Chesterton....

The atmosphere changes now. Things had been a bit sleepy in the sun, but now the Eagles are buoyed up and the Strikers have a sense of urgency. There’s nothing in this game for us, but we don’t want the Eagles lording it over us on our own patch. A snap shot from the Eagles is gathered by Alex and he launches a counter attack. James F vollies on for Cosmo to chase but this time the defence clears.

Just when we think things have stabilised another freak goal. As a Chesterton defender is closed down by David, he lobs the ball forward from just inside his own half. Freakishly, it takes a massive bounce off the penalty spot and loops up and over poor Alex. No one can believe it. We’re two-nil down to a couple of comedy strikes. Time for action and some proper football, surely?

The NST fans are not disappointed. As the Eagles probe our defences again, David heads clear. The ball is picked up by James F, who hurdles the first challenge, beats the second player and sends Cossie off bursting down the wing.  Cossie beats his man, cuts inside and crosses. Pete takes one touch and lashes out with all his strength. The ball screams past the goalie. You Beauty !!! (to nick a catch phrase) That was a proper goal, worthy of match of the day any weekend. Come on NST !

Now we’re on a surge. James, Cosmo and Pete combine again to turn defence into attack, but the Eagles hold their lines. There is panic in the voice of their supporters now as we turn the screw. Jon’s on the ball, Tom has a crack, something has to give soon. But the Eagles are still dangerous and try to pick us off on the counter attack as we press forward. There is chaos in our defence as their Number 3 dribbles into the box, but he shoots just wide under the close attention of Henry, Josh and Leo.

Then the killer blow. A throw in. A run up of 15 yards. Can you guess what’s coming? Yup. A back header, mis-kicks, mayhem, another looped deflection and the ball is in the back of the net. We all sigh. Sometimes you just have to accept it isn’t going to be your day...

There is still time for David to send Cosmo on one last lung bursting run in on goal. But he’s judged off-side and as the play moves back into our half the ref blows a long whistle to signal the end of the match.

So well done Chesterton and congratulations on promotion. Kudos to the Strikers for the best goal of the match. And we’ll be back next season looking to take our game to the next level.

Squad: Alex S, James F, Pete, Cosmo, Tom, Josh, Bahador, Jon, Sam, Henry L, David, Leo, Reece, Archie.

Scorer: Pete

Video Highlights:

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What a roller coaster season. So many thrills and spills, despair and frustration, excitement and entertainment in equal measure. (and some cracking bacon butties from the camper van !) So well done and many, many thanks to Judy, Roger and Phil for all the time and devotion they have given the lads. And our thanks to Bob for donning the black shirt so regularly and willingly and to all the helpers for their great work in the background helping with the arrangements and preparations, running the line and so forth.

Big thanks also to Andy, Emma and Peter for all the photographic work they have done to spice up the match reports and gallery. Finally, and most of all, thanks to all the parents and friends who come and cheer the team on, especially at those horrible winter away games! (Anyone remember, Saffron Walden away? Uuurggghh!!) The games always go much better with enthusiastic supporters. Next year we change our name to Shelford and Stapleford Strikers - so get practicing with your new chants, Annie !

Brutal Encounter Ends All Square

No one was really looking forward to this one. After a tough match against Ely in Sawston it was time for the return fixture. Whispers on the grapevine suggested their last match had a number of “interesting” discussion points. So it was with some trepidation we ventured North. The path to the ground takes you through the Ely City stadium and a few of the gang took the opportunity to sit in the manager’s dug out and soak up the atmosphere.

Then on to the match. 

We get off to a flying start, no hesitation and taking the game to Ely. Henry and Leo play a quick on-two and the ball is fed out to Jon who lobs it into the box. Cosmo - back to his sharpest form - runs on to it and side foots it smartly into the bottom corner. The Strikers lead 0-1 and are bursting with confidence.

The next goal comes soon after. Sam fires a great ball into the box. Jon controls the ball well and chips it between two defenders for Cossie to finish coolly. 0-2 to the rampant Strikers. This makes a welcome change from our normal approach of giving the opposition a two goal head start. The team must have had Weetabix for breakfast.

Inevitably, Ely strike back. They are a feisty side who have done well this season and are not likely to take the deficit lamely. Employing similar tactics to the Sawston fixture they lob  the defence and rely on the pace of their forwards. There’s a long chase and Sam is hustled off the ball allowing the Ely striker the chance to shoot. He drills the ball past Pete to make it 1-2.  There is a similar strike for their second and at half-time the teams go in all square at 2-2.

For the second half Pete is sent up front and Alex S goes in goal. Early in the second half Cossie is on a hat-trick. The ball is fed through and he smashes it home to grab the lead back for the team and gain his triplet. So it’s 2-3 and the Strikers’ ascendancy is re-asserted. But as is the way with best laid plans, they go awry. Ely strike back claiming two goals and now the Strikers are in trouble losing 4-3.

The boys are desperate to get back on top and frankly deserve to be ahead on the balance of play. There are some dodgy line calls and a disallowed goal. Then Pete scores and we’re back on terms 4-4. It’s the final push now. Can the lads snatch a fifth goal?

Tom smashes a thirty yard screamer and we’re all willing it to go in but he’s frustrated. Then there’s s great corner and some dispute. Henry heads the ball, it’s deflected off one defender “on the line” and then cleared away from the other post by another. Despite the protestations of the Strikers the ref fails to award a goal. 

And then the final whistle and 4-4 at the end. It’s been a very trendy score these past few weeks and the game today has been every bit as exciting as the shows put on by Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal recently. Well done all.

Scorers: Cosmo (3), Pete (1)

Coulda, Shoulda - Strikers Near-Ely Win

Ely have a great recent track record after a so-so start to the season which featured several thrashings from the top teams and they now look like serious contenders for one of the coveted “Top 4” places. They visited the Strikers having won five of their last six games and the lone defeat was a close 2-1 against championship certainties Mildenhall. So it was with some trepidation that we welcomed them to our home ground at Sawston Village College.

After the recent poor starts where the team have conspired to concede multi-goal leads before getting into gear, Judy was looking to keep things tight for the first 15 minutes and then look to be a bit more ambitious once the team was “warmed up”

Your reporter arrived 10 minutes into the match to the sound of raucous cheers and shrieks of delight as the Ely net billowed in submission. The joint was rocking with dozens of young cheer-girls celebrating Leo’s awesome strike and urging the lads on. What a glorious, fabulous atmosphere - marred only by the score 2-1 to Ely - boo! Looks like the concentration required for the tight opening fifteen minutes must have been wandering - directed pitch-side perhaps?

The fantastic atmosphere was inspiring some great endeavour on the pitch and the Strikers, charged up with adolescent hormones, were racing around the pitch to great effect. David, rested for the first quarter was subbed on to chants of “We love you David !” from the girls and immediately set about the Ely defenders. The Strikers surging with confidence despite the score were pressing Ely back into their half and creating lots of chances. The Colts however, were no mugs and also looked threatening playing the ball over the top of our defence for their speedy attackers to chase. Generally though Owen and James F were looking pretty steady at the back and anything which got through was gobbled up by Pete playing in goal. On the right of defence Archie was having an inspired and combative game and over on the left James O was doing equally well, until subbed off due to illness.  How had Ely nicked those early goals?

Despite the ebb and flow of the game and some great play by Leo and Jon there was no further score in the first half. The closest we came was a stinging strike by Cosmo from outside the box when the ball came loose from a corner. But the Ely keeper dealt with Cosmo’s effort well. That would have given the girls something to shout about - instead they sang happy birthday to James F !

So the half-time whistle is blown and the Strikers stroll off in arrears but surely confident that there are good things to come in the second half? 

There is much discussion about the formation for the second half and whether or not Owen should be given a run up front to pose the Colt’s defence a bit more of an aerial challenge. In the end Judy opts for caution, partnering Pete and David up front and keeping the central rearguard intact. With instructions to calm down the pace and  pass the ball around the boys are sent back out for the final session. 

We have the kick-off and following instructions the boys are passing the ball around in a very measured fashion just like a pro team. Leo pops the ball over the top creating a chance for David to chase. He hustles his way past the defenders and is one on one with the goalie but the ball spirals wide much to the despair of the home crowd. The game is definitely going NST’s way now although Ely continue to look dangerous on the break. Their number 9 looks particularly sharp and forges a few good opportunities. Fortunately, the defence is alert and Alex S is on top form whenever the final line is breached. On one occasion as the Ely forwards bear down on goal he bravely dives at the feet of the onrushing attackers to snuff out the threat. 

At the other end NST continue to carve out opportunities. At one point the ball is cut back to Henry L creating a golden chance at the edge of the box, but Henry’s shot goes wide. Then we finally get the breakthrough we’ve been anticipating. Pete buries the ball in the back of the net and it’s 2-2 at last. Buoyed up by their success the boys continue to press the Ely goal. A free kick from Leo launches the ball dangerously into the box and David is unlucky to head over the bar. Back down the other end there is a break away chance down the right and as Ely prepare to strike only a last minute interception by Alex M prevents a certain goal. 

Then there is a massive lapse in concentration which sees the Ely right winger unmarked. He drives to the bye line and puts a stunning ball across the face of goal. The two Ely forwards in the six yard box conspire to miss when it would have been easier to score. The home supporters are left gasping at the let-off, while the visitors can’t believe their bad luck.

Judy re-jigs the team moving Owen up front and pulling Cosmo into the back four alongside James F. Reece moves to left back and Henry L to right back. The game continues at a furious pace with incidents at both ends. A couple of Ely players have to be carried off with injuries as players collide. Then Reece is pole-axed by the Ely centre-forward’s knee as he heads the ball away from goal. There are bodies everywhere! Luckily everyone seems to be back on their feet after a brief recuperation. 

The Strikers are desperate to finish off the game with a final goal and continue to assault the Ely defences. Archie has a glorious chance, but just loses control at the last second. Pete goes close and we have numerous corners, but the Colts seem to be able to resist it all and continue pose a threat on the counter attack.  

In the last few minutes we throw caution to the wind pressing for the vital edge that will bring victory. Henry L ventures forward and is rewarded with a pass across the box which finds him unmarked with a clear sight on goal. As Henry shapes up to bury the ball,  an Ely defender desperately slides in and the ball is sliced wide. The brave defender stays down however, seriously crocked by the collision. An ambulance is called and the lad is shipped off to hospital for a proper examination. (Update: Report from the Ely coach says hamstring and possible broken toe on another player. Get well soon lads. )

The last few minutes are played out and the ref blows the long final whistle drawing an exciting game to its final conclusion. What a barnstormer! This game had everything, spills, thrills, goals, injuries, ambulances - cheerleaders. What more could you ask for? ( Mildenhall to beat Whittlesford of course! ) 

(Edit: And they did ! So the Strikers are still in fourth place) 

Man of the Match: TBA

Squad: Alex M, Alex J, Alex S, Owen, Pete, Leo, James O, James F, Henry L, Tom, Reece, Jon, Archie, David, Cosmo.

Scorer(s): Leo, Pete

Strikers Secure Two on the Bounce

And so back to Haverhill to face the Hawks who had just won two in a row after being eliminated from the cup by Witchfield Colts. The Strikers were looking to build on last week's win after the disappointment of recent results against the table toppers. New signing Jon was on display and Reece was  back in the squad after a promising debut last week. Archie was captain for the day.This was a competitive match with Hundon showing much improved form since our last meeting. In the end a cracking strike by Owen secured the points for NST and made the journey well worth while.

Do ya feel lucky ?

No debut nerves here.

 Our resilient defence stands firm

 Nice gloves !

Man of the match display

 Ace goal scorer

 Well played all.

Squad: Alex S, Owen, Pete, Tom, Cosmo, Reece, Jon, Archie (Captain), Josh, James F, James O, Henry L, Bahador, Alex J.

Scorer: Owen.

Man of the match: Henry L