East Gippsland United Football Club’s reserves team’s season came to an end last Sunday with its semi final loss to Sale United Soccer Club at the Hazelwood South Recreation Reserve.
With a grand final berth on the line, it was always going to be a challenge against the league champions, and it got harder five minutes in when Sale scored.
Eagles’ keeper Adam Reidy made a diving save but Sale was able to score off the rebound while Reidy was still on the ground.
Sale took control of the game but wasn’t dominating at the start, with the Eagles able to consistently work
the ball into their forward half but their attempts to score were cut off by the
Sale’s defence.
The shots that made it through were saved by the Sale keeper, but as the half progressed, the game was played more in Sale’s half, with their pressure creating errors with the Eagles’ passes.
A cracking shot from Sale found the back of the net 19 minutes in and another followed from a header shortly after, Sale leading 3-0.
The second half started with another quick goal from
Sale, but to their credit the Eagles lifted and were much more competitive in the second half.
Scoring opportunities increased but the Eagles were unable to convert, Pat Whelan putting in a solid performance as centre back while keeper Reidy made a number of saves.
The Eagles were able to hold off the Sale attack until goal number five deep in the second half.
Reidy at full stretch wasn’t able to stop the ball as it brushed his fingers on the way to the back of the net.
Sale was able to put one more through just before the final whistle to finish the game 6-0 over the Eagles.
For a third consecutive week the under 16 Gold Eagles faced Sale United, again at Geoffrey Baldwin Reserve in Sale.
After two Eagles’ victories, this time Sale was victorious 2-0 and eliminated the Eagles from the cup.
The players participated in the match despite strong winds, making the game challenging.
Sale and the Eagles appeared evenly matched with both teams creating scoring opportunities.
At the two minute mark Jordyn Mamo delivered an excellent pass to Jesse Williams who was called offside. Shortly after Mamo made a run, but the Sale keeper reached the ball first.
Sale had a corner kick opportunity at 13 minutes which Regan Nash contested, Sale taking another attempt and keeper Jackson Cheesley making the save.
The Eagles were fortunate when a free kick was awarded to Sale at 26 minutes in front of goal and they missed to
the right.
The pressure was mounting as the teams neared half time with neither team scoring, defender Caleb Till took a run down the wing with the ball going out of bounds in the Eagles’ forward half.
The second half continued with multiple attempts from both teams. It wasn’t until 50 minutes in that Sale netted the first goal of the match leaving the Eagles to play catch-up.
The Eagles demonstrated strong effort throughout
the match but were unable
to score.
In the final minute, as the Eagles pressed to equalise, Sale capitalised on a lapse in defence to secure their second goal, concluding the game
2-0 winners.
The Eagles under 16 Blue side was also knocked out of the cup with a 3-2 loss to Churchill United at Monash Reserve in Newborough.
Both sides had plenty of opportunities to score, but it was Churchill who maximised its chances, again in difficult conditions, with the wind blowing a gale.
The Eagles under 13 team will take on Newborough Yallourn United Soccer Club in their second round clash this Saturday at Burrage Reserve in Newborough.
