Wight Eagles welcomed Winsor United to Queensgate. The Eagles have had a good run of form but knew they would be up against a tough side as Winsor were also unbeaten.
Winsor looked like they were ready to pounce as their left winger kept captain Ellie turning her back to her own goal. She knew the Eagles were in for a difficult afternoon with key player Faith missing from the team. A reshuffle saw Poppy in control of the back line and putting in a solid performance.
Soon, Winsor were breaking through in midfield, passing the back line, creating opportunities, and bringing goalkeeper Eloise into action. The Eagles then had a couple of chances falling for Imogen and won a few corners without being able to make the decisive breakthrough.
With 5 minutes to half time, Winsor’s quick winger got past Lyla and Ellie down the left side. With a player free in the box, the cross came over and hit Poppy on the hands. A penalty was awarded to Winsor and converted (0-1).
Half time: Wight Eagles 0-1 Winsor United
After the break and a good team talk, a tweak of tactics saw the Eagles come straight out and put the pressure on, with Mesha breaking through from midfield, beating 2 players, and slotting the ball through to Imogen to coolly finish (1-1).
The game was now very competitive. The Island side could have taken the lead when Imogen was through 1-on-1 with the keeper but couldn’t find the target. 2 minutes later, Jess won the ball back at left back and released Poppy down the left wing to beat the Winsor right back, but her shot missed the upright by inches.
The Eagles hard work was soon undone when the away side won a corner, and the ball went under the defender’s feet for an easy tap in for Winsor (1-2).
With the Island side trying to push for an equaliser, Eagles goalkeeper Eloise was beaten by a fluke goal (1-3). Soon after the Eagles had conceded for a 3rd time, the referee blew the final whistle
Full time: Wight Eagles 1-3 Winsor United
Wight Eagles: Eloise, Ellie (capt), Poppy, Jess, Lyla, Amelia, Magenta, Summer, Imogen Subs: Poppy Rowell-Rowland, Maisy, Leila Summer, Olivia
Player of the match: Imogen Jones
After the game, manager Dan Verstraeten said:
“It was a hard thought game. Both teams were very equal despite the score line. The girls gave it all they had today, and this team is growing in confidence by the minute. They made some little mistakes, but it’s still a learning curve for them all.”
