Old hands, the Eagles played their third tournament while the Hawks had their first ever match at Crystal Palace in early February.

In the Under 14’s league, the Hawks started tentatively in a difficult first match against a strong Sharks team. The sharp-shooting Sharks played impressively in the first period, until the Hawks ceased their hovering and rallied for David K. to score their first ever goal. Sadly still, they ended up sinking to a 5-1 defeat by the Sharks who went on to win the trophy in the Under 14’s age group.

Untroubled, the Hawks started their next match against the X-Team with more confidence and energy, and Dan scored quickly. He also put away the third goal after Luke had thrown well for a second, with David finishing the scoring for an impressive 4-0 victory in the play-off round. Sean’s training in dribbling and passing paid off with Dan showing power in sprinting for the ball, Luke getting into position between the ball and the opposition and James W. making good use of space. James M kept an excellent clean sheet in the Hawks goal. In two matches, goals for Hawks: five, goals against Hawks: five! A good start for the new junior team.

Addlestone were not represented in the Under 16’s age group as the Eagles were forced to compete in the Under 18’s despite having only one player over 16 and two who competed in the Under 14’s! In their first match against the Destructors, they came on late due to “bird-watching” (synchronised swimmers in adjacent pool) but made up instantly with good early play, and several chances went unrewarded by a goal in the first half, with several near misses from Carl. Throughout the first half, the Eagles showed particular strength on the break and early in the second half some neat passing on another swift break over the length of the pitch led to a sharply taken first goal by Dan. Some solid defending by Luke in the Eagles goal was needed to keep the lead, but Carl finally atoned for his earlier wastefulness with Eagles’ second to seal the match at 2-0. A good all-round team performance, which booked the Eagles an automatic semi-final place and a treat from their trainer. Team Coach Sean Hudson: “If this winning goes on it will cost me a fortune in ice-creams.”

By a quirk of the competition the Eagles were to play the Destructors again in the semi-finals! Once more, the Eagles’ strength and speed were the telling factors. An early goal by Tom was disallowed because of a foul on the goalkeeper, but the next attack provided the winner from David. “Goooooaaaal!!!!” roared the Addlestone supporters aided by Jim and his footie rattle (yes, they really do still make them!).

In the second half, several Eagles attacks were not converted and David had to play most of the half with his spraydeck popped off! With the score so close the match remained tense: Carl and a Destructor player received the green card (first warning) – handbags at 10 paces really, as the match was played in good spirit. The Destructors went close with a late shot off the top crossbar but Luke stayed calm in the goalmouth. The 1-0 scoreline deservedly took the Eagles into the final and the supporters breathed a sigh of relief. David R., interviewed after the match, put the key to his goal-scoring success to “…paddling like hell”, so no hot tips there for the youngsters.

For the Under 18’s final the Eagles at last got to meet a different team, the Lasers. The Eagles were slow starting, letting the Lasers come quickly off the mark to get first touch from the whistle, which they converted into their first goal after only two passes. This seemed to stir the Eagles into life and now with possession they quickly moved forward with Carl making the first shot only to be deflected for a corner. A second shot from Tom brought another corner, this time out to David R. and back to Tom who scored a well-deserved first goal for the Eagles. With both teams trying desperately to take lead the play went from end to end, looking evenly matched. Towards the end of the first half, the Lasers were on the attack again when Tom intercepted a high ball with his paddle, which made him loose balance and go over. Failing to roll, he banged for help and David R. quickly came to his rescue. The Eagles were still in possession and went on the attack, but the shot from Carl was saved and the Lasers retaliated quickly and scored, seemingly from nowhere, 10 seconds from half-time.

Luke, the Eagles’ rather good goalie, swapped with sub David K. for the second half, and with the Eagles needing to score the game was fast and furious. The team kept piling on the pressure: Dan hit the post with his first shot, got the ball back and tried again but the Lasers pulled off a good save. Then Dan found himself one on one with the keeper and was blown up before he got the shot in. The Lasers broke away, but missed their shot due to serious intimidating from new Eagles goalkeeper David K. With a minute left, the Eagles gave it everything with David R., Tom, Carl and Dan piling forward. Carl got in a tussle with one of the Lasers and toppled but did a rather fancy ball-roll and kept possession. The Eagles swarmed around the Lasers goal and in the confusion the keeper drifted out, Dave had an empty net and shot – but from somewhere someone got a blade in and with only 10 seconds left, the Lasers kept possession to the final whistle. Second place for the Eagles in the Under 18’s league!

Altogether, the Eagles and Hawks did not seem to have luck on their side, from the uncanny administration error that put the starting games of both teams (with their double-players) right after each other down to some dubious decisions on part of the referee in the final Eagles game… But both teams presented themselves very positively and with good spirit, and considering the lack of team practice, did extremely well! Possibly the truly best teams in their respective age groups on this event! The day was enjoyed by all, players and spectators alike, and thanks is given to all who organised it.

By Rob Warren and Tom and Jim Sherlock