IT was a frustrating afternoon for Eagles who failed to break down a resolute Sarratt side despite spending large periods of the game camped in the opposition half.
The visitors set up to defend and did just that, not allowing Eagles time to settle on the ball and heading and clearing all that was thrown their way.
It was difficult for Eagles to pass the ball on the poor playing surface, but they carved out a few half chance in the first period.
Ben L’Honore had the best of them when he found himself free in the left-hand channel, but his shot was sliced off target.
A succession of Eagles corners couldn’t disrupt Sarratt either, even when Paul McGennity’s header flashed across goal only to be cleared, before Jas Genesis volleyed over
from the edge of the box.
Sarratt’s only chance of the match came at the end of the first half, when a close range volley was hammered over the bar – a let off for Eagles.
The second half brought more Eagles pressure, but not too many clear chances. Sarratt defended high up the pitch and top scorer Harry Holland was finding it hard to get in
behind.
A combination of Sarratt’s tenacity in the tackle and the difficult pitch meant it looked as though set-pieces would be the most likely source of a goal, but McGennity and
Luke Garwood headed Connor Pennery’s corners wide.
Sub Jack Gregson, who improved Eagles’ when he came on, headed into the side netting when he latched on to John Coley’s cross, and another chance had gone begging.
Sarratt celebrated like they had won the game at the end. Eagles certainly didn’t deserve to.
They will have to improve when they face Wormley away on Saturday.
Team: Eely; Pennery, McGennity, Garwood, Mitchell (Locke); Coley, Tyler, Pateman, Genesis; L’Honore (Gregson), Holland.
