Charing 3 - 3 Eagles
Another weekend, another away fixture — and our final game of August saw Eagles travel to Charing. A familiar ground with a chequered history, but the boys arrived full of confidence and enthusiasm.
Despite the heavens opening shortly before kick off and drenching both teams, Eagles started brightly, with a high-intensity press causing Charing plenty of problems during the opening 10 minutes. Despite the pressure, clear-cut chances were hard to come by.
Charing gradually settled into the game and began working the ball into our half. Their clearest opportunity came from the wide area, with their forward finding space and forcing Luke Adby into an excellent save, turning the effort around the post.
The momentum then shifted, and Charing took the lead. Their forward was released behind the Eagles defence, which had been caught looking for the ball rather than tracking the runner. Another simple ball across the face of goal left the Charing striker with a straightforward finish. 0–1.
The goal proved to be the catalyst Eagles needed.
We began to regain control, pressing aggressively and moving the ball into dangerous areas. The front line were particularly impressive, hunting in packs and making it difficult for Charing to play out from the back.
Owen Crascall was rewarded for his hard work when he wrestled free from his marker, created space and fired a low, powerful effort beyond the goalkeeper. 1–1.
With tails up, Eagles went in search of a second — and didn't have to wait long.
A foul in a dangerous wide position presented an opportunity to load the box. Stefan Rosca delivered a perfectly weighted ball towards the back post, where Jon Goodman rose to meet it and cleverly guided his header beyond the goalkeeper. 2–1.
Eagles almost extended their lead straight from kick off, as an aggressive press again won possession high up the field, but Shaun Cawley’s shot from the edge of the box was turned around the post by the Charing keeper. The keeper made another good save from the resulting corner.
Unfortunately, Charing levelled just before half time. A late corner was swung over the top of the Eagles goal, eventually falling to a Charing player who somehow squeezed the ball through the smallest of gaps. 2–2.
Eagles came in the second half with renewed urgency after the break and were quickly rewarded.
The ball was released down the right for Shaun Cawley, who drove towards goal before calmly finishing into the side netting beyond the onrushing keeper. 3–2.
However, tired legs began to show and Charing started to see more of the ball. Their longer passes towards a quick front line caused problems, forcing the Eagles defence into a number of recovery runs.
Eventually, Charing found an equaliser. A ball through the middle caught the Eagles defence marginally out of position, allowing their forward to drive towards goal unchallenged before firing home. 3–3.
Charing sensed an opportunity to snatch all three points and created several late chances, but strong defending and another display of bravery from Luke Adby kept them at bay.
The final whistle brought a frustrating end to the game. Eagles had shown plenty of quality and character but ultimately had to settle for a point from a match they knew they could have won.
Goal scorers - Jonathan Goodman, Owen Crascall and Shaun Cawley
MOTM - Chukwuma Umunna
