GU14 Eagles Soar into Next Round

GU14 Eagles 8 – 1 Spencer HC (H)

EH Girls U14 Tier 1 Championships

In a thrilling encounter that showcased the beauty of teamwork, the Surbiton Eagles took on Spencer HC in the first round of the EH Cup. 

Both teams arrived early at Sugden Road, heady with anticipation of the romance of the Cup. The visitors, surprisingly fresh after their five mile journey down the A3, seemed surprised to find a packed ground, and crowds of supporters surging through the gates. The Eagles, accustomed to capacity crowds at their matches, took it in their stride – until Captain Boo was forced to have a stern word with the organisers after finding their match had been shunted onto Pitch 2, meaning thousands of stay-at-home Eagles fans would be left disappointed, having to resort to watching the M1s livestreamed from Pitch 1 instead.

In their pre-match team talk, the Eagles decided to stick with their favoured match strategy: start slowly, allow themselves to be put under pressure, and give Saffron lots of opportunity to showcase her silky skills, before slowly ramping up the pressure on their opponents. The match began exactly as planned, with the Eagles allowing Spencer to build their confidence through several forays deep into the Eagle’s nest. Fortunately Taylor, who had valiantly left her sickbed to play, used every remaining ounce of energy between coughing fits to repel each attack. 

Then it was time to start turning the thumbscrews. Becca and Sofia teamed up to deliver a masterclass in passing and the Eagles began volleying balls at the Spencer goalkeeper, who retaliated with impressive gymnastics to keep a clean sheet for the first 15 minutes of the game. But, following two weeks at Surrey county netball camps, Violet suddenly remembered that hockey wingers are permitted into the D and quickly racked up a hat trick.  

Spencer battled on heroically, at one stage staging a very dangerous counter-attack that forced Emily to charge out of her goal like a lion on the hunt, or possibly a cat chasing a laser-pointer. The fearless keeper hurtled towards the edge of the D and launched herself into a dramatic slide – arms outstretched like a superhero saving the day as the ball dribbled safely across the backline, wide of the Surbiton goal.  Shaken, the Eagles had to resort to something never done before by a Surbiton team: scoring from a penalty corner. Seren’s inch-perfect injection was drag-flicked by Leia straight past the charging defenders and into the Spencer goal. 

The Eagles were soaring, but were quickly punished by a Spencer team that refused to give up. Launching an unexpected and spirited attack into the Surbiton D, the visitors skilfully passed the ball beyond the outstretched wings of the Eagles defenders, and into the goal.  

As the second half progressed, spectators were left shaking their heads in disbelief when Lyla picked up the Eagles’ first green card of the season for a mere act of overenthusiasm. But Lyla’s spirit never wavered. After her brief timeout, she returned to the field with renewed vigour – sending the ball up the pitch where Maya’s cracking shot was able to find the back of the Spencer net, widening the Eagles’ lead once more. 

Some stunning passing between the forwards, drawing the Spencer defenders out of position, allowed both Sylvie and Seren to add to the scorecard. The final whistle brought both teams together over a magnificent match tea as the mighty Eagles proceed to the next round of the Cup.