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 !