East Gippsland United Football Club’s men’s squad returned to the pitch last Saturday for Sale United Soccer Club’s annual round robin tournament, the Kendall Cup.
The Eagles participated in four matches of 20-minute halves across the day, the tournament offered some valuable insights for the coaches for the season ahead.
Unfortunately the day started with a loss against Leongatha Knights Football Club. With a number of new and returning players to the squad, Leongatha was able to take advantage of the initial lack of cohesion from the Eagles, scoring two goals in the first half.
The Eagles performed better in the second half and were able to shut down the Knights’ attack to ensure no further goals were scored.
Taking on Sale United in the second game, the Eagles were able to maintain better possession with a more attacking style of play.
Lachlan Dare scored the game’s only goal with a header from a corner kick from Matt Desio to seal victory.
The Traralgon Olympians were a challenge in the third match with play kept mostly in the centre of the pitch.
With the score 0-0 at half time, both teams had their chances with the respective keepers making some good saves.
Oscar Bury scored for the Eagles courtesy of an assist from Isaac Burgoine, but with less than 10 seconds on the clock the Olympians were able to slip one in past Eagles’ keeper Lui Albornoz to manufacture a draw.
The last game of the day was against the Casey Panthers Soccer Club. With the Eagles sticking to their game plan against a formidable opposition, the score was nil-all at half time.
With fatigue setting in, a momentarily lapse of concentration saw some errors in defence in the second stanza which Casey was able to take advantage of, scoring two quick goals and taking win.
The Eagles narrowly missed out on making the finals but star player Tom Forster was named player of the tournament with Dare also named among the best players of the day.
