Eagles v Hobart United
Eagles confirmed their status in the top flight after another comfortable victory against Hobart United in their second leg play-off. In gusty conditions Egales attacked from the start and although United put up stiff resistance they never looked like holding out an Eagle side keen to sew up the match early.
Despite numerous opportunities Eagles held a slender 1-0 lead following an O'Brien header. In the second half the flood gates opened and Eagles managed to add another five goals to run out comfortable 6-1 winners. O'Brien signed off with a hat-trick and was ably assisted by McKeown and Leszczynski.
Eagles v Hobart United
This Friday 12/9
KGV Kick-off 7pm
Eagles face Hobart United in the second leg of the relegation / promotion playoff this Friday night at KGV. After Eagles comfortable 5-1 win in the first leg United face a monumental task to reverse this scoreline. United coach Tony Tarros believes his side is capable of restricting Eagles but on the evidence of the first game he must be a very optimistic person because their was a big difference in the quality of the two sides.
Eagles have been playing some impressive football in the past two months and only complacency will allow United back into this tie. I can't see the coaching staff and players of the caliber and experience of Wass, Pitchford and O'Brien allowing this to happen.
Eagles to win comfortably!
Eagles Maul United!
Having failed to avoid a relegation play-off, Eagles were in no mood to succumb to Division 1 Premiers Hobart United in their first leg clash at KGV. Eagles came into the game on the back of some impressive results against far superior opposition and they dominated this match for long periods of time.
Their superior fitness and overall team play was far too much for a disjointed United side to overcome. Eagles scored early through McKeown to settle any lingering nerves and although United equalized with a penalty, Eagles were in no danger of losing this game. A nightmare performance from United keeper Soszynski signed specifically for these play-off games certainly didn't help his teams cause and Eagles always looked capable of scoring.
Eagles ran out comfortable 5-1 winners and would have been disappointed that they didn't score more.
Goalscorers on the day were McKeown 2, O'Brien, Wass, Shackcloth
Eagles Hold Zebras
Eagles produced another solid performance against the league runners-up the Zebras in their last roster game for the 2008 season. Although falling behind to a Cresswell strike in the first half, Eagles played with great determination to eke out a deserved draw.
A penalty awarded late in the second half was easily converted by O'Brien and although the penalty decision looked harsh, Eagles nearly snatched all the points and relegation safety in the dying minutes with a number of close misses. In the end the 1-1 result was a fair reflection of the overall game.
Eagles Embarrass Olympic!
Eagles produced their finest performance of the season to hand out an embarrassing 7-1 thrashing to third placed title pretenders Hobart Olympic at the Athletic Centre.
Eagles played with great passion, determination and more importantly composure and intelligence to completely overwhelm an Olympic side which had it all to play for but weren't prepared for the onslaught they received from their opponents. Eagles were 4-0 up at the break and it could have been even more as a number of good scoring opportunities went begging.
After such an emphatic display in the first half it could have been easy for the Eagles to take the foot off the pedal, but this was not the case. Eagles continued to carve out opportunities and this resulted in a further three goals being scored for an impressive 7-1 win.
Goalscorers on the day were McKeown 2, Vernon 2, Savage 2, Ferrall
Eagles Wallop Knights
Eagles handed out a lesson to the Glenorchy Knights in this Friday night encounter and showed that on their day they are capable of matching it with any side in this competition.
Despite dominating the early play Eagles fell behind to a well taken goal from the Knights and instead of deflating the team this spurred them on to greater heights. Eagles attacked at every opportunity and their fast, skillful play was too much for the Knights to handle.
Once they had equalised it was all Eagles as they continued to impress against sides higher on the table than themselves. In the end eagles ran out comfortable winners 5-1.
Goalscorers on the night were: Clark 2, Leszczynski, Malakoff, O'Brian (pen.)
Eagles v Knights
Eagles face the Knights this Friday night at KGV and after Saturday's disappointing draw against Metro, Eagles will need to refocus and continue playing with the same commitment and desperation they showed against Metro.
Once again missed chances cost Eagles dearly and they must rectify this problem against the Knights if they are to pick up all three points. Although Knights are in fourth spot on the table they are by no means a superior team than Eagles and as Eagles showed against league leaders South Hobart they can match it with most teams on any given day if they are on song.
The last time these teams met Knights won 3-0 courtesy of two soft penalties and Eagles will be keen to reverse that result this time around.
Daggy to the rescue!
Eagles Division 1 team continued on their winning way with a come from behind 3-2 win against title chasers Beachside. Trailing 2-0 and having had Sam Calvert sent off in the first half, Eagles looked in big trouble. The showed however that they were serious title favorites by scoring three times to once again devastate a Beachside team that would have been confident of winning this match on their home soil, particularly after leading 2-0 early on in the game.
Eagles experience however can never be discounted and having a striker of Richard Leszczynski's class up front, you know they are always in with a chance. Leszczynski continues to torment opposition teams and this game was no different with the veteran marksman notching all three goals in a fantastic finishing display.
The win keeps Eagles handy four point buffer against Hobart United although United has a game in hand. This weeks clash with United at Pontville could be the title decider.
Eagles fail to hold on!
Eagles recorded an agonizing 2-2 draw with relegation rivals Metro at Clare Street on Saturday. Leading 2-0 with one minute of normal play remaining Eagles conceded two late goals (one via the penalty spot) to draw a match it should have won comfortably. Eagles controlled this match for long periods of time and although Metro did have a number of good scoring opportunities Eagles had by far the greater number.
Metro equalized 5 minutes into injury time. Given there were no injuries during the half and no players were chatted for time wasting how referee Kim Barker managed to find 6 minutes of injury time is a complete mystery. Having said that Metro should be commended for not giving up and playing to the end of the game.
As could be expected Eagles were a devastated bunch after the game as were their supporters. This was bad case of two points dropped.
Eagles brave in defeat.
Eagles put up a great effort against league leaders South Hobart before succumbing to a 1-0 defeat. This was a markedly improved performance on last weeks listless effort against the Lions and Eagles were unfortunate not to come away with at least a point.
Eagles proved that if their concentration, commitment and desperation is at a high level that can cause teams problems. Hopefully this can continue into next week's crunch match against Metro.
Eagles waste chance against Lions
Eagles wasted a great opportunity against the Lions when they could only manage a 0-0 with their relegation rival. This was a dour struggle with both teams showing little imagination and desire to win this important match. Given Eagles recent scoring efforts this was a very disappointing performance. Eagles best chance of the game came when the Lions keeper nearly scored an own goal which somehow summed up this forgettable game.
Can Eagles Run Continue?
Eagles face a real relegation shoot out with Kingborough Lions this Saturday when they meet at Clare Street in what is a vital game for both sides. Eagles and Kingborough are only separated by a point with Eagles currently sitting in seventh place on the ladder. Eagles also have a vastly superior goal difference.
Confidence in the Eagles camp is high after good successive wins and this confidence coupled with Eagles new found goal scoring touch should be enough to see them over the line. The return of O'Brian to the club is another positive, as his ability to direct traffic in the middle of the park is an area where Eagles have really struggled. His combination with McKeown and Malakoff could prove to be a real handful for opposing teams over the coming months.
Kingborough, like Eagles have struggled this year and they will be desperate to get something out of this game. Defensively they have been poor, conceding an average of three goals a game and will need to improve this part of their game if they are to win.
Hopefully ground conditions will not be a deciding factor in this game. Eagles play Kingborough this Saturday at Clare Street, kick-off 2.30pm. Good luck to all the players.
When they met last time: Eagles 0, Kingborough Lions 0
Eagles Soar Again
Eagles maintained their perfect start to the second round with an important win over Taroona at Clare Street. Eagles have finally found their scoring touch and although defensively they haven't been as convincing, the more attacking approach is certainly paying dividends. Two goals for Jacob Malakoff (his first senior goals) and one apiece from Damien O'Brian and Jamie Vernon gave Eagles a 4-1 win and lifted them out of the bottom three for the first time this season.
Taroona Next!
Eagles face last placed Taroona at Clare Street this Saturday and will be desperate to build on last weeks great result and push themselves out of relegation territory. Confidence will be high and the return of McKeown will only add strength to the Eagles side.
Taroona are struggling and losing last week to Metro after leading 2-0 wouldn't have helped their confidence. Taroona however are a team that Eagles have had difficulty beating in the past and they must be switched on form the start to make sure their are no surprises. If Eagles can continue to take their chances a win will be theirs for the taking.Eagles play Taroona this Saturday at Clare Street, kick-off 2.30pm. Good luck to all the players.
When they met last time: Eagles 1, Taroona 1
Eagles Fly High
The second round of the season has started with a fantastic 3-2 win for the Seniors against Clarence United. Eagles led throughout this game and thoroughly deserved their win. Goals from Wade Savage, Jamie Vernon and a free-kick special from Alex Leszczynski was enough to hold out a Clarence outfit that has been a bogey side for Eagles over the last few years. This is the first time for quite a while that Eagles have scored three goals in a game and it's great see the boys converting more of their chances.
Congratulations Nathan
Congratulations to Eagles senior team captain Nathan Pitchford on his selection in the initial training squad for the Southern Men's Representative team that will play the curtain raiser at the A-League Pre-Season Cup match in Launceston on July 20th.
Crunch Time For Eagles!
The next month is a crucial time for our Premier Seniors as they desperately attempt to move themselves clear of the relegation dogfight. With games against Clarence, Taroona and Kingborough in the coming weeks (two at home) it is a great opportunity for the side to string some good results together.
Signs of late have been promising with a young Eagles side certainly creating more chances than earlier in the season. The inclusion of Page, Malakoff and Ferrall in the side has injected some speed, skill and youthful exuberance that has certainly lifted the team and a more attacking approach has also helped in this regard. The only thing missing are goals and it will be imperative that Eagles do not waste the good opportunities that they create.
Eagles play Clarence this Saturday at Wentworth Park, kick-off 2.30pm. Good luck to all the players.
When they met last time: Eagles 0, Clarence 1
Top Of The Table Clash
After last weeks top of the table clash with Beachside, Eagles face another top of the table match against promotion chasing Hobart United. In a pulsating match Eagles outlasted Beachside last weekend courtesy of a fantastic goal from Josh Hadfield in injury time.
Picking the ball up in his own half Hadfield carried the ball all the way before holding off the last defender and then hammering an unstoppable shot past the Beachside keeper into the roof of the net. Eagles deserved this win as it had the better of the chances and only some great saves (and poor finishing) from the Beachside keeper kept them in the game.
Eagles travel to Pontville on Sunday with a handy four point lead over United (although United have a game in hand) and must be confident of a good showing despite having played three games last week. United are a fit and skillful side and will be looking to atone for a disappointing 0-0 draw against the disco kings Nelson United in the their last game.
Eagles have a good mix of youth and experience and they will need to be patient against a side that likes to over possess the ball. This should be an entertaining game and one which United desperately needs to win to maintain their promotion push. The experience of Vernon, Nidorfer, Bones, Jones and Leszczynski could lift Eagles over the line.
Eagles play Hobart United this Sunday at Pontville, kick-off 2.30pm. Good luck to all the players.
When they met last time: Eagles 1, Hobart United 3
