After a couple of weeks without a game, the Wight Eagles had a chance to get their season back underway as the Girls U12s team welcomed Meon Milton to the Isle of Wight – only their second home league game of the season.
Game 1 of the day had a promising start for the Island girls, with a few players back from injury meaning they had nearly a full squad – although were still missing key players Faith and Amelia. Despite the missing duo, the girls went out pressing the opposition straight away and could have been 1 up with Summer laying the ball into Imogen who had a couple of shots saved early on.
With Poppy the only centre back available due to Faith’s absence she had her work cut out, with Meon Milton’s keeper able to kick the ball far to try and get their strikers in behind. However, not much was getting past the Eagles’ strong back 3.
Close to the end of the game, another long ball over the top saw Meon Milton’s striker 1-on-1 with Eloise, resulting in the pair coming together. With Eloise on the floor, Meon Milton scored resulting in a 0-1 loss at home for the Eagles.
Game 2 saw the girls playing their official home tie. They regrouped and after manager Dan Verstraeten made a few changes, the girls came right out of the blocks. They were giving Meon Milton nothing, getting the ball down and playing creative football around them – the Eagles were on fire again!
Ellie and Lyla connected well on the right side like in previous games and Lyla was tearing up the right side, managing to get the ball to Imogen who smashed the ball past the keeper.
As the game restarted the Eagles were dominating play and wouldn’t let Meon Milton out of their half. The Island side had a few corners but nothing coming of it. Then, approaching halftime, another long ball came over the top and the Eagles’ strong midfield Poppy brought the ball down with a strong touch. As she went to play forward she slipped and Meon Milton’s forward pounced, slotting home past Eloise. Halftime 1-1.
Into the second half and with only 20 minutes left the Wight Eagles knew they had built something good in this game, so they went back out stronger and again Meon Milton couldn’t get the ball. The Eagles were strong from front to back but Dan had to make a few tactical changes as Imogen pulled up with an injury, which saw Lyla upfront hoping she would get a chance.
With the midfield playing higher and the Eagles having more of the ball, the work rate changed up the gears. They knew a win would be on the cards and with the defence and keeper making a mistake Lyla pounced as the ball came out to her on the edge of the area, striking it 1st time to seal to make it 2-1 to the Wight Eagles.
Manager Dan Verstraeten said:
“We always believed in these girls and I said it was only a matter of time before they grab their first win and now they can kick off and really do the Island proud.
“In the first game we were really off the pace and could have done more in our individual performances and made it harder for them [Meon Milton] to beat us. To be honest they got lucky after the foul on Eloise.
“The second game… the girls played out of their skin, total domination and creativity from all of them – they all played their part in sealing the win and should be very proud.
“We are extremely proud of them all”.
