GU14 Eagles Win Thrilling Supra League Opener
By Mark Rogers
GU14 Eagles 4 - 1 Teddington (H)
GU14 National Supra League
The Eagles’ long-awaited debut in the 2025 Supra League couldn’t have been much more dramatic — or freezing — as they triumphed 4-1 over local rivals Teddington. The match was a rollercoaster of excitement and very cold hands, as the Eagles overcame an early setback to dominate the match and clinch a resounding victory. A frosty day at the Reeds Arena didn’t seem to stop the Eagles from bringing the heat.
Captain Sylvie led a blood-pumping warm-up, rallying the troops with steely focus, before the match kicked off under arctic skies. Unfortunately for the Eagles, the cold left them frozen to the spot when, just five minutes in, Teddington’s Amy took the ball from her own D and charged the length of the pitch and two passes later the ball was in the back of the Eagles' net.
The home side, however, refused to be rattled by the early setback. Ten minutes later, the game was level, as a great ball through the midfield found Maya, who calmly slotted it past the Teddington goalie. The partisan crowd erupted, and the Eagles were back in business.
Fast forward another ten minutes and it was Charlie’s turn to get on the score sheet. A brilliantly timed long ball set her up for a 1v1 with the away team's keeper, and she made no mistake, calmly dispatching it into the back of the net. The Eagles had the lead, but they weren’t done yet. The first half was packed with chances, including a stunning hit from Saffron at a short corner that narrowly missed the mark, and a controversial decision when Ebba was stick-tackled from behind just as she was about to shoot. The umpires, however, waved it all off and awarded Teddington a free hit, leaving the crowd fuming.
Half time watermelon gave the Eagles renewed energy and the second half began with a bang. Within three minutes, the Eagles had extended their lead to 3-1. After winning an early short corner, Seren’s injection to Leia at the top of the D was followed by a crisp shot that the Teddington keeper got a foot to, but couldn’t stop. The ball made its way to Violet, right in the far corner of the D, who finished it off with a laser-precise flick into the goal, Charlie giving the ball an extra tap over the line just to make sure it found the back of the net. A team goal if there ever was one.
The Eagles continued to dominate possession and keep the pressure on, with Teddington seemingly pinned into their own half for much of the match. There were plenty more chances, including a lovely shot from Gemma that went just wide, but the Eagles weren’t to be denied. With 20 minutes to go, another short corner saw Violet in the perfect spot once more, and she hammered home her second goal of the day to make it 4-1.
Teddington, to their credit, fought valiantly, but they simply couldn’t break through the wall of Eagles defence, led by Taylor in the back. Boo and Cesca were everywhere, nipping at the heels of the opposition and clearing the ball with remarkable efficiency. Orla, making her debut for the team, caused havoc in the Teddington ranks, while Becca and Sofia worked tirelessly in midfield to disrupt Teddington’s flow and feed the ball forward. And, of course, Captain Sylvie played with her poise and skill in the attacking third, looking dangerous every time she got near the ball.
At the final whistle, the Eagles had secured a well-earned 4-1 victory, sending the supporters into a frenzy of applause, albeit a painful one with frozen hands. Meanwhile, Emily having spent the game watching as a spectator in her own goal, such was the Eagles’ dominance, was lowered into warm bath to gradually defrost.