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| Football 1st XI Team Diary |
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Eagle House 1st XI Squad 2006
Overview Played 5 Won 2 Drawn 2 Lost 1 Goals For 14 Goals Against 19 Squad: (Colours * Half-Colours +) Jake Aungier*, Zac Bigley*, Luke Boobbyer+, Oskar Winkler, Tom Fowlie*, Max Kirk+, Haider Rubbani, Sam Dovey, Sam Peters, Charlie Jobson, J-J Dewes+, Kevin Akunwa+, Jonathan Burgin, Jack Cowmeadow, Felix Fowler, Richard Bishop, Emanuel Vila, William Price, Douglas Moffat.
The 2006 Soccer season has seen this 1st XI squad play some excellent football and, on the whole, the results were very pleasing. With Rugby and Hockey as our two major winter sports, the players go in to these matches with less preparation than our opponents, and it to their great credit that they are able to be competetive and play with such skill and co-operation. The one blot on the diary was the only loss of the season; but what a loss! 12 - 2 is a remarkable score and it marked a game governed by Murphy's Law - 'If it can go wrong, it will.' It wrecked our goals against column which would otherwise have had quite a rosy look to it. Most pleasing was the goals for column which saw the team score at least once in every match. I must also commend the spirit of the players, who took that demoralising defeat so well and came out determined to make a success of their season.
Last Match v Aldro Wednesday 6th November 2.30pm Team: Max Kirk; Zac Bigley; Sam Dovey; Oskar Winkler; J-J Dewes; Kevin Akunwa; William Price; Jake Aungier; Luke Boobbyer; Tom Fowlie; Emanuel Vila. Sub: Haider Rubbani. Drew Eagle House 1 Aldro 1 Goal: Akunwa (31) 'There have been a few changes for this final match. I felt we needed a little more height and pace at the back having conceded another 4 goals at Highfield, and there were a few players who have been on the fringe of this team and deserved an opportunity to play at this level.' Tinkerman2 This was a very pleasing way to finish the season, contesting a very even match against a very good side with good performances from players all through the side. Sam and Oskar formed a very good understanding in the centre of defence and forced the opponents to attack up the flanks, where J-J and Zac also had good games. Jake was once again dominant in midfield, shrugging aside challengers to cut out threats and to get his team going forward. The weight of his overstruck final ball today was the only blemish in a driving performance. Will and Emanuel had good debuts and look very promising players. Max made some important saves and was really positive when coming for the ball and calling. Luke and Tom were a bit quieter today; they got a lot of ball and were skilful enough to beat players but failed to create many clear chances. Credit must be given to the Aldro centre backs who made it very difficult to find space. Kevin had a mixed game. He was very quiet in the first half and was guilty of 'ball-watching' on a number of occasions, leaving Zac a lot to do covering the right side. However, Kevin is in the side because he has the ability to turn a game around with a moment's skill. In the 31st minute of this match he took a ball wide on the left and mesmerised two defenders before beating the goalkeeper from the tightest of angles; a remarkable goal. Moments later Zac was left covering two players on the right and a searching ball behind the defence saw the Aldro No. 10 break loose. Max covered as much of the goal as he could as he advanced. He stayed on his feet well, but the forward was able to thread a well taken goal into the left-hand corner of the net. So, this a fair draw with honours even after a hotly-contested but good-spirited game. Cheap Newspaper Ratings: Max Kirk (8) Zac Bigley (8) Oskar Winkler (8 ) Sam Dovey (9) J-J Dewes (9) William Price (7) Haider Rubbani (7); Jake Aungier (9) Luke Boobbyer (7) Tom Fowlie (7) Kevin Akunwa (8) Emanuel Vila (7)
Match v Highfield Saturday 2nd November Drew Highfield 4 Eagle House 4 Goals: Fowlie (8, 23, 40); Akunwa (27) This match was a real thriller that delighted an excellent crowd enjoying a warm afternoon in the winter sun. Eagle House started strongly and looked very threatening in the first five minutes. Searching balls from midfield were causing the home side's central defenders problems turning in the muddy conditions. However, after one particularly promising attack had broken down, a weak challenge in midfield let in Highfield to attack the heart of the Eagle House defence. The players had a number of chances to clear, but tried to be a bit too clever and conceded a corner. There followed one of the most sensational goals I have ever seen at any level. A beautifully struck delivery was met shoulder-height at the far post by a flying player who volleyed the ball visciously into the top corner. This had quite a stunning effect on the visiting side and saw them defend nervously for the remainder of the game. Tom Fowlie has had a marvellous season so far, and his determination and skill leading the line ensured that his side were not behind on the score sheet for long. Marked by a big, strong and skilful defender, Tom had to be particularly strong in shielding the ball and making clever turns. He was a threat throughout the match and fully deserved his hat-trick; the first in my (considerable) time as 1st team coach. Another scorching strike from a corner, this time a powerful header, brought Highfield level, but Kevin's score following Jake's well-struck free kick gave Eagle House a narrow lead at half time. Tom extended the llead in the fortieth minute but Eagle House were losing shape as players forgot their duties and a gap in midfield opened up between attack and defence. The home midfielders were able to run unchallenged to the half way line and draw out the defence before releasing their forwards unmarked. Max was kept very busy in goal during that final period, and two more great strikes brought Highfield level. On the balance of play I think Eagle House probably had the edge and you did play some great football at times, but three particularly stunning strikes kept Highfield in the game and it was the visitors who were glad to hear the final whistle. Cheap Newspaper Ratings: Max Kirk (6) Jonathan Burgin (6) Charles Jobson (5) Sam Peters (5) J-J Dewes (7) Oskar Winkler (5) Zac Bigley (6) Jack Cowmeadow (5) Haider Rubbani (5); Jake Aungier (7) Luke Boobbyer (6) Tom Fowlie (9) Kevin Akunwa (6) Match v Bradfield Wednesday 29th November Won Bradfield 1 Eagle House 5 Goals: Fowlie (10 & 42); Akunwa (20); Aungier (29) Boobbyer (34 min). Gillam fields his new signings - Jack Cowmeadow (£8m from Juventus); Jonny Burgin (£2 from Blackburn Rovers); Kevin Akunwa (Loan from Auxerre); J-J Dewes (Free Transfer from Halifax!) This was a very good performance and a great tonic in the wake of the disheartening result of our last match. It is very encouraging to see that so much was learned from that defeat and that the tactical adjustments made, along with a few personnel changes, proved effective. The match started with Eagle House playing a little tentatively. An away match on a senior pitch with senior goals against senior players was understandably daunting. After a five minute period of pressure, the play inched towards the home goal and our forwards Tom and Luke showed what a threat they could be. Tom in particular looked very sharp, and his well taken strike from an acute angle helped the confidence flow. After a goalmouth scare when Sam conceded a penalty saved by Max, the Eagle House midfield started to be a little more influential and Kevin, showing his strength and skill, brought his influence to bear. He rose high to meet Zac's fine corner and score a second goal with his towering header. In the second half, a great through ball from Jack turned the home defence and led to the ball being bundled over the line. Jake claimed to have got a touch! Luke added another from a tap in at the far post before Bradfield scored a consolation goal; a fine finish after a high ball had beaten our defensive line. Tom finished proceedings with another good finish from short range. A very pleasing result and a very encouraging performance - well done to everyone, I thought you all played very well. Cheap Newspaper Ratings: Max Kirk (7) Jonathan Burgin (8) Charles Jobson (7) Sam Peters (7) J-J Dewes (8) Oskar Winkler (7) Zac Bigley (8) Jack Cowmeadow (7) Haider Rubbani (6); Jake Aungier (7) Luke Boobbyer (7) Tom Fowlie (9) Kevin Akunwa (8)
Last Match v Sunningdale Saturday 25th November
Match Cancelled - Waterlogged Pitch
Match v Cranleigh Wednesday 22nd November Lost Cranleigh 12 Eagle House 2 Goals: Boobbyer (4 min); Aungier (22). When Luke Boobbyer put the visitors ahead after just 4 mins, crowning a period of very positive attacking play, no one could forsee the way this game was about to unfold. Playing away on a very muddy pitch the Eagle House defence was absolutely shredded at will through the pace and guile of the two Cranleigh strikers. The defensive policy of holding a tight line high up the pitch, so effective in the last match, was exposed today and the players did not have the experience to be able to adapt. Early on, with Zac at full back, Eagle House were able to contest on an equal footing, but after his injury a lack of pace in the defensive line was severely punished. There were mitigating circumstances in that the Cranleigh pitch is like playing in a bog compared to the Eagle House surface and so Max, the goalkeeper found it particularly difficult to judge when to come off his line. It is also no disgrace to be outpaced by the son of an Olympic gold medal winner! Jake scored a terrific goal, curling a free kick around the wall inside the near post to comprehensively beat the keeper and offer a lifeline. There was, however, a disastrous period just after half time, where the players really were stunned by the opposition's clinical finishing and forgot the most basic principles of the game, haemmorageing goals at an embarrassing rate. 'Gillam Out!' chanted the crowd who they clearly rank somewhere alongside David O'Leary and Sven Goran Ericsson. Gillam gave a terse, 'No Comment' to journalists before departing muttering about transfer windows and a lack of money (lend us a quid!). Cheap Newspaper Ratings: Max Kirk (3) Zac Bigley (6) Charles Jobson (4) Sam Peters (4) Oskar Winkler (5) Felix Fowler (3) Haider Rubbani (5); Jake Aungier (6) Luke Boobbyer (5) Tom Fowlie (7) Richard Bishop (3) - Subs:Sam Dovey (4) Dougie Moffat (5)
Match v Pangbourne Wednesday 15th November
Won Eagle House 2 Pangbourne 1 Goals: Fowlie (16 min); Aungier (42). This match was a great start to the short soccer season in that it was a very well contested and even match and all the players managed to make a significant contribution to the overall success. The aspect of the performance that pleased me most was the discipline of the players. They kept their positions well, were positive with their calling and were keen to encourage one another to play well. There was a solid look to the defence with players knowing their jobs and performing them simply. The midfield worked hard to win the ball and to get the side going forward, while the forwards made intelligent runs to create space and looked threatening in the goal area. Max looked very reliable in goal. He handled the ball cleanly, was very brave and came off his line sharply to help out his defence. The Eagle House goals both came from good right wing crosses. Zac curled the ball into the heart of the penalty area, and Tom pounced on the knock down to convert decisively for the first goal. Late in the second half, Zac floated in a similar ball from a corner. The half clearance was promptly pushed back into the danger area by Dougie where it ran for Jake to strike a fine shot across goalkeeper low into the right hand corner. Apart from a misdirected header stretching their defence, leading to a powerful strike from the Pangbourne right winger that hit the left upright, the Crowthorne school were generally able to keep the ball away from danger area forcing the opposition to strike from long range. However, the home side were clearly tiring in the last five minutes (there are far fewer rest breaks in soccer) and Pangbourne applied pressure testing out the concentration of the back four. At this point the team did lose a little of its shape, with midfielders and even forwards looking to help out in defence rather than relieve pressure by taking the ball upfield. An accurate through ball brought the visitors a good goal and set up a challenging last three minutes. However, the players held their nerve and returned to their tasks, keeping the ball well upfield till the final whistle blew. Both sides were very well-behaved in the changing rooms and shared a very civilised tea after the game. Our thanks to Pangbourne for being such good guests and for playing their part in a very even game. Thanks also to those parents who sacrificed an afternoon at work to support the team. Cheap Newspaper Ratings: Max Kirk (8) Zac Bigley (8) Charles Jobson (7) Sam Peters (7) Oskar Winkler (7) Felix Fowler (7) Haider Rubbani (6); Jake Aungier (7) Luke Boobbyer (6) Tom Fowlie (7) Richard Bishop (5) - Subs:Sam Dovey (5) Emanuel Vila (5) Dougie Moffat (5)
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