The young Eagles travelled to Portsmouth for the final game of the season, knowing that it was their last chance to win promotion.
Meon Milton came out looking hungry and pushed the Island side back into their own half. For the 1st 10 minutes, the back 4 couldn’t keep up with the pace of the wingers, who were creating chances on every move they made. The ball wasn’t closed down quickly enough, and Meon took their 1st chance, going 1-0 up.
The Islanders started to push back and made a lot of chances over the next 15 minutes, keeping Meon in the own half with scoring opportunities for Tawnie Siddall and Sophie Wright, but neither could get past the keeper. Meon struck a massive blow before halftime going in with a 2-0 advantage.
Half time: Meon Milton 2-0 Isle of Wight Eagles
The 2nd half started brighter, and the Eagles found some rhythm in their play, pushing the game end to end again. They had chances but were denied by the excellence of the Meon Milton keeper, until she couldn’t stop Dani Robinsons low driven effort into the bottom corner (2-1)
With 20 minutes left, the Eagles pushed to find an equaliser and soon looked on top with another chance saved. Unfortunately, after that, the tables turned again with a long-range effort from Meon to find the top corner – there was nothing ‘keeper Lizzy Dodds could have done (3-1).
The cracks started to appear, and a foul in the box saw Meon slot home a penalty (4-1) and finally finish the game as 5-1 winners.
Full time: Meon Milton 5-1 Isle of Wight Eagles
Player of the match: Dani Robinson
After the game, manager Dan Verstraeten said:
“The girls are massively disappointed today and thought today was the day to grab promotion but this happens in football – they have all been outstanding for me this season.
“They are a great bunch of girls to coach and I have enjoyed every minute of it. They are very talented and will all go far as a team and individually. I believe 1 will make it in the world of football.
“I told them that finishing 3rd is a massive achievement and they shouldn’t be too disheartened. They gave it their all in their 1st season together.”
