Flitwick Eagles FC - Flitwick Eagles Football Club

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Division 1 League Fixture – 2^nd October 2011

 AFC Dunstable 2 v 2 Flitwick Eagles Whites

 Goalscorers: M Liddle (2)

 Match Report:

 The Whites were on the road again but this week they faced titled rivals AFC Dunstable which would prove to be a six pointer for either side as they battled for the top spot. The Whites were missing there skipper Ross Redman who had picked up an injury whilst decorating his house; Ryan Bray took the arm band for this crunch match. Manager Hannam continued to stick with his 1-1-3-1-1 formation, with Joe in goal, George in defence, Ryan defensive midfeld, Thomas right wing, Jackson left wing, Louis attacking midfield and Eli striker.

 The scene was set, a fantastic support had come to support the Whites and a special thanks to Joe’s parents who flew down from Manchester in their private jet to make sure the Eagles No. 1 was in the sticks for this important match.

 The game started and the straight away the Whites were on the back foot as Dunstable streamed forward, playing some tidy football. The Whites defended bravely but could not clear the ball. Within 8 minutes they conceded a corner which was quickly taken. The ball was cleared but only as far as a Dunstable player sitting on the edge of the box. The Dunstable played seemed to have eternity to line up his shot as the defenders failed to shut the player down. He unleased a rocket which flew over the head of Joe and into the back on the net– it was truly a great goal !

 The Whites suddenly came to life and started to punish AFC Dunstable as they seemed to commit too many players forward. Morgan and Eli battled to retain possession by the Dunstable corner flag, and as the ball went into the air Morgan seemed juggle the ball over two defenders before thumping the ball passed the Dunstable goalkeeper – a well deserved goal that pleased the away supporters.

 The Whites midfield battled hard, linking up passes beautifully but the final ball always seemed to run through to the Dunstable goalkeeper.  Thomas and Jackson burst forward with explosive pace but they found limited options in the box. The referee blew his whistle and it was half time.

 The Whites started the second half strong and the first move the half saw a great ball from Lucas releasing Morgan through before he slotted the ball into the corner of the goal – what a great move.

 Eli and Jackson ran their socks off down the wings and battled to retain possession of the ball. But the best moment of the match came when Dunstable broke through the strong defensive line and their striker was through on goal. As he was about to unleash his shot George timed his sliding tackle to perfection taking the ball off the strikers foot.

 The Whites started to tire in the heat and Dunstable finished strong, earning a corner. All the Whites players went back to defend the corner and as the ball was floating in it hit Zach on the head and unfortunately flew passed Joe into the back on the net – an unfortunate goal but well done for Zach for trying to header the ball clear.

 With five minutes to go Morgan punished Dunstable’s counter attack by breaking down the left wing and cutting across towards the goal. As the Dunstable keeper came off his line Morgan placed the ball towards the far corner, only to see it graze past the far post.

 Eli who was at his best also hit a long range shot that beat the diving Dunstable goalkeeper but hit the post.

 In the final minute Manager Hannam through on Louis as the Eagles had won a corner. The ball was floated over and Louis found himself free, but the sun played its part blocking his vision and his attempted volley only found air as the ball flew passed his left foot – a great opportunity and Louis proved once again why he regarded as one of the best with his positioning and being in the right place at the right time, but today was not his day!

 The final whistle blew and the exhausted players walked off the pitch . After the game Manager Hannam stated he was pleased with the result and especially the work rate of all his players. Every player gave their best and played an important part in this excellent match. He continued to state that Man of The Match George was outstanding as he deputized for Ross in defence. Finally the team dedicated this great result to Ross and hoped he was back soon.

Division 1 League Fixture - 25th September 2011

Brickhill Wanderers 0 v 2 Flitwick Eagles Whites

Goalscorers: OG, R Redman

Match Report:

The Eagles travelled away this week to face Brickhill. With a squad of 10 to select from Manager Hannam continued to play 1-1-3-1-1 formation. Joe Guinn donned the gloves again in goal, with skipper Ross Redman in defence, Louis Hannam started his new role sitting in front of defence with Morgan Liddle down the right and Thomas Stokes down the left. Ryan Bray sat was attacking midfield with George Brackenridge up top as the striker. Subs were Eli Doherty, Jackson Canning and Lucas Page.

The setting was fantastic and the pitch could have been mistaken for Wembley, enabling both teams to play some neat football. The Eagles and Wanderers both settled into the game quickly with the midfield and defence continuously battling, but neither side managing to test the keeper. Redman was as usual influential at the back, time and time again breaking down the Wanderers attack and playing some good balls forward. The best chance came to Ryan Bray, who was chopped down by the Wanderers hard working midfield. Ryan stepped up but found his free kick was blocked. The half time whistle could not come sooner as the teams left the pitch at 0-0.

After some swift words to the team and a request for match officials to check the ball that seemed to be made of concrete, the game kicked off. This time Eagles looked stronger, with Lucas Page playing a key role in breaking down the oppositions midfield and turning defence into attack. Joe Guinn, who was a spectator for most of the second half pulled off some excellent saves, continuing his fine form. The Eagles pushed more players forward leaving Ross marking 2 Wanderers attackers, but neither could get past him.

Finally, after some excellent passing, Ryan Bray stepped up to take a corner. He swung a wicked curling ball in that caught out the defender who found himself the wrong side of the ball and headed the ball past his keeper into the net.

The game kicked off and Wanderers pushed more players forward, but the combination of Lucas Page and Louis Hannam ran their socks off chasing down every ball. Eli Doherty, Morgan Liddle and Thomas Stokes made some fantastic runs down the wing but their final ball could not find Jackson Canning or Ryan Bray.

With 8 minutes to go the Eagles got the ball down the left wing. Ryan Bray, who battled bravely with an injury to his knee, turned his marker in the box and found himself heading towards the goal, only to be pushed to the ground by the same defender. The referee had no choice but to blow his whistle and point to the spot.

Ross Redman, wearing the skippers arm band took the decision to convert the penalty. Ross tactically smacked the ball straight down the middle with the Wanderers keeper pulling off a fine save, but he could not get up quick enough and Redman followed up unleashing an unstoppable shot breaking the back of the net.  A well deserved goal for the skipper who has had a brilliant start to the season.

The final whistle came and both Managers concluded that it was a great game of football for any neutral watching.

After the match Manager Hannam was approached by a local reported and asked what he thought about his sides win. Hannam stated ‘it was a hard battle, with some players playing to their best. It is a sign of a good team when a team does not play to its full potential, but they still walk away with 3 points’.

Thanks to all the parents who came along and supported the team today – especially Dawn who helped with the Administration.

Next week the Eagles look for revenge when they play league title favourites Dunstable.

Neil Hannam

Division 1 League Fixture - 11th September 2011

Flitwick Eagles 5 v 0 Kempston AFC Colts

Goalscorers: M Liddle, L Hannam, J Canning & G Brackridge (2)

Match Report:

The whites opened their debut league match with a fine victory against a
well organized Kempston team. The first 5 minutes saw the visitors finding
their feet faster than the Eagles maintaining possession very well. But then
the Eagles came on strong with some solid defending from Lucas and skipper
Ross who broke down the oppositions attack.

It wasn't long before the Eagles claimed their first goal when Ryan thread
the ball through splitting the Kempston defence in two for Jackson to score
his first goal. It wasn't long before again the inspirational Ryan lobbed a
20 yard pass to Louis who ran down the wing into the box and from an acute
angle cheekily chipped the ball over the diving Kempston keeper who saw the
ball fly into the corner.

The half time whistle blew with Eagles 2-0 up.

The second half saw Eagles go from strength to strength playing some
exciting two touch football that would make Barcelona look like an amateur
side. Ross showed why he was the Captain with some brave tackling on the
edge of his box. The ball broke down the left wing with George who was 15
yards out and swung in a looping shot that lobbed the brave Kempston Colts
keeper.

Kempston seemed to come back into the game for 5 minutes pushing more and
more players forward, but Joe who had little to do in soon found himself
busy quickly running off his line and clearing the ball.

Eagles then went up another gear with some fast counter attacks with Morgan
and Thomas breaking down the wings and swinging in some fantastic crosses
only for the Kempston keeper to pull off a string of fine saves.

The move of the match came when Eli put in a last ditch sliding tackle just
as the Kempston striker was about to pull the trigger. Joe scooped up the
ball and played it to Ryan who played it up the field with 3 or 4 quick one
touch passing the ball found Jackson out on the left wing. His first looping
cross found Thomas stokes bursting into the box like a locomotive. He jumped
and headed the ball only to find it graze the post - what a move !

The fourth goal came soon after with a goal mouth scramble after some superb
play by Morgan down the right wing. The brave Kempston keeper once again
tried to dive on the ball in the box but George got their first poking the
ball into the net and scoring a well deserved second goal.

The match drew to a close with Morgan once again doing what he does best
banging in a thunderous shot leaving the keeper with no chance of saving it.

It was truly a fantastic game of football and a well deserved victory for
the Eagles.