Eagles became only the second team to win the Aubrey Cup for three consecutive years after a goalless 120 minutes led to a thrilling penalty shoot out win over Met Police Bushey on Monday.
The two met in the 2010 final, with Eagles running out 2-0 winners, but there was to be no revenge mission for Bushey as young goalkeeper Michael Johnson saved two spot kicks to give Eagles victory. It had not been a typical 0-0 draw, with both sides missing a hatful of chances, including Eagles’ Ben L’Honore having a penalty saved. Bushey had started the brighter, with their five man midfield linking fluently with their lone striker, but Johnson was not seriously tested in goal. Eagles then came back into the game as the first half drew to a close, and created several chances of their own. Jack Gregson’s excellent control created a chance for himself, but he snatched at the finish, and L’Honore’s free kick and Joe Tyler’s shots were blocked. David Locke made one of many bursts forward from left back but his effort from close range was stopped by a last ditch tackle.
The opening stages of the second half presented Eagles with a superb chance to go in front as Joe De La Salle was tripped by a sliding Bushey challenge, but L’Honore’s penalty was saved by Bushey’s keeper, down to his right. They were almost made to pay for it immediately when Bushey’s Campo ran through the middle and tried to lob Johnson, only for the ball to canon back off the ‘keeper’s chest. Harry Holland then tried an overhead kick from Locke’s superb left wing cross but it went inches wide. Sam Gittings was introduced on the left wing for Eagles and he had an immediate chance to make an impact as he was played in by Tyler, but his shot across goal was saved.
Extra time was wide open too, with Bushey’s sub striker Derby scooping over after shrugging off Markus Brown, and Gittings again having a chance from the left flank, but this time screwing wide. Brown then made a goal saving challenge after Bushey’s forward had a heavy first touch, and Campo missed the best open-play chance of the game when he went round Johnson and with the whole goal to aim at, sliced wide.
The two teams had already met four times throughout the season, with Bushey winning two, Eagles one, and one draw, and would have to be separated by penalties.
Gittings, L’Honore and their opposite numbers both scored before late Eagles sub Danny Large missed. Joe Tyler and Lewis Mitchell then scored, leaving Bushey captain Courtnage with the chance to win it, but Johnson saved brilliantly to his left. Jamie Platt and Lee Pateman then tucked their kicks away before Johnson made the crucial save and sunk to his knees to await a joyous bundle from his teammates.It was left to Tyler to lift the trophy – Eagles fifth in three seasons – but Johnson was the hero of the day.
Team: Johnson, Pennery (Platt), Brown, Mitchell, Locke, Pateman, Tyler, L’Honore,Holland(Large), De La Salle (Gittings), Gregson
