Eagles u7 - 08/09 Season
Contact: John Deacon - 0774 215 2776 - j.deacon@ntlworld.com
Harlow Town Youth U17 1 –2 L.G.C.E. U17
Letchworth travelled to Harlow for the game that would decide the league title. It was all or nothing for Harlow, as only a victory would give them a chance of winning the title where as a draw for Letchworth would mean it was entirely in their own hands. It was possibly the worst scenario as though we always want to win every game I think it was always in our minds that a draw would be enough.
As a result it was Harlow, aided by a strong wind, that started the stronger pushing us back on several occasions and the defensive four responded well with Scott Rodick and Craig Cunningham using their height and power to make several good clearing headers and when they missed out Zach Flint used his pace to cover and Satj Aujla seemed to smell danger and be in the right place at the right time. The back four were rising to the challenge and their occasional lapses of concentration were covered by yet another immaculate display by Jamie Downing in goal. The central midfield pairing of Scott Williams and Nathan Horne were also having to work very hard to contain Harlow’s impressive central midfield pairing. When we did manage to string a few passes together the final ball was often poor and the forward line were unable to hold on to the ball long enough to relieve the pressure.
It was inevitable that Harlow would create more chances however and deservedly took the lead after a shot was well saved yet again by Jamie Downing; unfortunately the first to react was a Harlow player who calmly slotted home. We now knew that we had to raise our game and our spirit was only strengthened by this set back! From a long throw in Harlow created a chance to go two nil up when a glancing header that was arrowing toward the top corner was miraculously saved by Jamie; even now I don’t know how he got a hand to it! We finally started to string a few passes together and created a few half chances. As the half was nearing its conclusion we got our break when a very clumsy aerial challenge on Tom Gibson resulted in us being awarded a stick on penalty. The tension was high and nerves were jangling in everyone apart from the ice cool penalty taker; Satj Aujla. Despite an unsporting remark that he would “smash it”, Satj is way too classy to do that and with nerves of steel he stepped up to slot home calmly! The first half ended 1 – 1 and the momentum was now with Letchworth.
The second half started with no changes made by Letchworth and their control of the game was increasing. We pushed Harlow further and further back and stuck to our principals of always trying to play football the right way and coped far better with the long ball being hit up to the Harlow front men. We were continually troubling Harlow down their left flank where Jay Duguid and Angelo Lazzara were starting to combine well. Ashley Izzard was working hard to get in the game down the left despite it being an unfamiliar position and his pace was always a threat to Harlow. Ashley was then unfortunately injured and our first substitution was to replace him with the ever-consistent James Farah only not in the starting line up due to illness. Jamie immediately gave us more width and stretched the Harlow back line creating more time and space for the other players. Jay and Angello were working more opportunities now and they combined to create a moment of magic half way through the second half when their one-two resulted in a cross from Angelo landing on Tom’s head! Tom had plenty to do however and instinctively arrowed his header in to the right hand corner…within a split second most of the team were celebrating together and the sidelines were jumping with joy!
After seventy minutes Tom Fiske came on for Craig Cunningham giving us fresh legs and he comfortably dealt with any signs of danger down the wing. The clock was ticking down and though Harlow pushed we stood firm. Ben Cooper was to replace Tom Gibson after eighty minutes giving us more fresh legs and he caused a tired Harlow defence further problems with his pace and enthusiasm. The clock was running down and Harlow created a couple more half chances and from one corner hit the bar. The overdue final whistle finally went and the team were able to celebrate a fantastic achievement.
The only player unused on the day was Michael Deacon who was only half fit and recovering from his cup final exertions. Others missing on the day were Edward Davis and Sean Farley who have both contributed well to the team’s success throughout the season.
We thoroughly deserve to be League champions and what pleases us the most is the style of football we always try to play and the spirit within a close-knit team. We are not only league champions but also league cup winners too losing only one game all season and drawing two others scoring 121 goals conceding just 18! – An amazing achievement making all of our hard work truly worth it!
The team is managed by John Deacon, coached by Anthony Cunningham and Rob Williams and supported by a great set of parents. The players have been a pleasure to work with and made us incredibly proud. We also want to thank everyone at the club especially Angie Searle for all of their unseen hard work given freely.
Were now looking forward to next season and hope that the team sticks together and finishes their youth football with the club that many have been with since the age of seven! One of the current coaches can top that however! He was one of the original members of the Westbury Eagles team that gave birth to the current Eagles. He started playing for them in 1979/1980. If you don’t already know you can see him on the website picture. He’s front right (standing) in the picture! He’s the tall good-looking one and likes to think that’s still the case! I think everyone else would beg to differ however!
Royston Crow U17 League Cup Final
A Jay Duguid hat-trick secured LGCEU17's a 3 - 1 victory over Baldock at The Bury Sports and Social Club in Buntingford on 26th April 2009. Their first title under manager John Deacon
Letchworth opened the brighter of the two teams with several attacks going close. Nathan Horne was denied by the cross bar in the first five minutes as Letchworth pushed for an early goal.
As the game continued Letchworth struggled to get their passing game flowing on a bumpy pitch, as Baldock, continued to frustrate numerous attacks in their penalty area.
It wasnt until the 25th minute that the deadlock was broken by Duguids first goal
Nerves began to settle when his second goal followed soon after. Lazzara floated a ball across the Baldock penalty area, Duguid calmly controlled the ball on his chest with his back to goal, swivelled and shot beyond the keeper. Letchworth headed for the break a deserved 2 - 0 up.
Letchworth were disrupted early in the second half with an injury to Zach Flint who was replaced at left back by Ashley Izzard.
As Letchworth re organised and tried to settle Baldock attacked down their left wing, crossed and scored past the helpless Jamie Downing in goal.
Letchworth reacted by introducing Tom Gibson and Ben Cooper to provide fresh legs and impetus on a hot and energy sapping afternoon.
The substitutions proved successful and in open play Jay Duguid met a through ball, noticed the keeper was off his line, and chipped him from 25yds. The keeper could only watch as the ball nestled in the back of the net with just 10 minutes remaining.
3 -1!
Game over!
League Cup Champions!
Now the Eagles U17s turn their attentions to a crucial encounter with Harlow in a bid to win the League and Cup double