Eagles Snatch Victory in the Gloom!

WCFC U15s The Badgers saw a point snatched away from them late on by Trowbridge Toon Eagles in a tight home game at Northbrook last Sunday. A delay to the previous game saw the kick-off delayed from 2:30 to 2:45. The Badgers started 4-3-3 with Eddie replacing the injured William in goal and Ashton returning at left back to replace Theo who was ill. The opening exchanges were even with both teams feeling each other out. The first chance fell to the Badgers when Jack P, up for a corner, shot just wide. The Eagles were playing very direct, requiring Eddie to be alert to come and clear the ball 3 times in quick succession. The Badgers took the lead after 13 minutes. Ashton pressed forward from left back to fire a tremendous dipping shot from outside the box which crashed off the angle of post and crossbar, only for Nathan to respond quickest to head home the rebound for his second goal of the season. The Eagles almost struck back immediately only for Joe to make a wonderful goal line clearance heading a dangerous cross away at the far post. Toby almost doubled the Badgers lead on 22 minutes with a sweet volley which flashed just wide, but it was The Eagles who scored next on 26 minutes. A long diagonal caught the Trowbridge striker one on one with Joe and he outmuscled him to get free and fire past Eddie despite the keeper getting a hand to it. The game was becoming a midfield battle with Lewis, Toby and Sonny competing fiercely but of few chances. Jack had a shot saved by the Eagles keeper which meant it was 1-1 at half time.

The second half continued in the same manner with both sides struggling to gain dominance. Teddy shot into the side netting after a neat pass from Solly put him free. Sonny then made a surging run down the right from halfway only for his cross to just allude Louis in the box. Then it was Teddy cutting in from the left only for his cross to be agonisingly just out of reach of both Louis and Jack in the box. Bailey's corner almost put Ashon in only for his shot to be blocked, Toby had a long range shot just wide and Louis had a header from a corner just over. The Eagles defended well and started to gain in confidence. In the gathering gloom, necessitating a change to a brighter red match ball, it was starting to feel that one goal either way would seal it. And so it proved but unfortunately it was the Eagles who, with 7 minutes left, snatched it when the ball broke in the Badgers box and the Eagles striker swept it into the net. The Eagles almost made sure two minutes later when a shot from the edge of the box crashed back off the post. The Badgers tried to respond but all they could muster was a shot from Jack which the Eagles keeper saved. And so for the second season running, the Eagles took victory 2-1 at Northbrook with a late goal. The result was hard on The Badgers who competed well throughout and probably deserved a draw but were just missing that final bit of composure and quality all over the pitch and especially in the final third to create some clearcut chances to win it. They can only look forward to turning this around in the away fixture after Christmas as they did last season 8-1!