MATCH REPORT SAT 20 SEPTEMBER 2025
FA VASE FIRST ROUND
NW LONDON 2 LETCHWORTH GC EAGLES 2
( EAGLES WIN 4-2 ON PENALTIES)
Eagles repeated their penalty success from the Long Buckby game thanks to another fine performance by their keeper George Coomes.
He was soon called into action after 8 minutes when a long ball down the centre saw a NW London forward outpace defenders as he approached the edge of Eagles penalty area, but Coomes managed to block the low shot. At the other end Eagles gained possession half way inside the home team half of the field but the final shot from just outside the penalty area flashed wide of goal. A few minutes later wild celebrations followed an Eagles goal. A long throw reached the NW London goal area at the near post and Rory Gillham bundled the ball into the net from close range.
On the half hour another chance to score went begging when a shot from inside penalty area went high over the home crossbar. A minute later the ball was intercepted by Eagles on half way and after the ball was played downfield the final shot was just wide of goal. Play switched to the other end with a shot from the edge of Eagles penalty area straight at Coomes before an equalising goal was conceded after 37 minutes. A shot was deflected wide of Eagles goal and the resulting corner to the far post was not properly cleared, falling to a NW London forward who hooked the ball into the top corner of the net. A minute later Coomes had to make a great double save blocking first a shot then the rebound.
Relief was short lived. Following a break down the right side the ball was pulled back from near the goal line to an onrushing forward, who scored comfortably from close range. Almost on half time Coomes had to make a flying save to tip over a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area and keep Eagles in the game.
In the early part of the second half a low shot flashed across Eagles goal and at the other end an Eagles corner was headed inches over the crossbar. As the game reached its later stages Coomes made another fine save, this time to hold a header from the edge of the goal area by an unchallenged forward.
As full time approached Eagles scored an equalising goal. A quick break downfield followed a low shot cum cross which reached Ryan Morgan at the far post, and he hammered the ball into the roof of the net off the inside of the crossbar. Eagles then almost sneaked a winning goal following a long ball down the centre of the field chased by an Eagles forward, but the home keeper was quick to leave his goal and he managed to collect it just in time off the toes of the advancing Eagles forward. The game then went to penalties
Coomes pulled off 2 saves and Gillham scored the winning penalty to win a tight cup tie.
