Reserves Collie V Eaton cup game 27/4/2009
It was a very different look Eaton reserves team that took to the field for the first round of the cup against Collie at the Collie grounds in very hot conditions. Shilcof put himself in goal, regular goalie Batten was on left wing and Wilcox Senior turned out at centre back. Club president Marsh got a run in the starting 11. Many regular reserves players were absent due to work commitments with the game being played on the Monday holiday. Medway lined up in the middle of the park to provide some strength and skill with Willetts along side him..
Eaton got away to the worst start imaginable when a very poor pass in the backline let in the Collie forward who put a brilliant curving shot into the top of the net giving Shilcof no chance. 0-1 from nothing. It looked like it may be a long day for the make shift side. As the half progressed Eaton settled and started to put pressure on the Collie defence. Fill in coach Portman brought on his one and only sub in Stevens to give Marsh a rest. By half time all players were feeling the heat and looking for a bit of shade. It was the second game in 2 days for most players and the legs were getting weary.
After the break and another one of Shilcof’s expert pep talks Eaton came out much more positive with Wilcox and Strange making many piercing runs into the attacking half. Medway started to look dangerous getting the ball in good places and taking shots. The Collie goal keeper was earning his keep with some great saves. One blasted shot from Medway just about broke the goal keepers hands. Game was being played mostly in Collie’s half of the pitch though a couple of good fast breaks put the Eaton backs under plenty of pressure. Butler was his usual tower of strength and dominated in the air repelling many attacks.
Finally one of Medways shots was too good for the keeper and scores were level 1-1. The rest of the half was very tense with every opportunity raising hopes only to see them dashed. It become a dour struggle with players out on their feet all over the ground. With a penalty shoot out looming Shilcof showed his experience by pulling himself off and putting league keeper Oakey on for the last period of the game. Eaton had to defend a couple of free kicks from dangerous positions.
Full time and despite many scoring opportunities for Eaton the score remained 1-1. Off to penalties. Perfect start for Eaton with Medway, Hill and Willets slotting their shots and Oakey making two great saves. The ever reliable
It was a great win for the make shift side who did the club proud. Another pleasing aspect of the game was the high quality referee who kept the game in control with minimal fuss.
By Neil Strange