Falcons Swoop Late To Snatch All 3 Points

Hearts Falcons 3 – 1 Ascot United
E. Brown 20, 46;
M. Pickrell 48

Two late goals on a glorious autumnal morning saw the Falcons maintain their unbeaten start to the season in a highly competitive tussle at Carlisle Park.

The Falcons started with an experimental line up, continuing with Archie in goal and Jacob and Louis for company at the back. Richard and Chris were slotted in on the right and left midfield respectively with Stanley through the middle supporting the tireless Gabriel up front.

United started the quarter full of confidence with several mazy runs through the heart of the midfield but couldn’t quite deliver on the end product with several early shots off target.

Archie looked commanding in goal, making several strong clearances and spreading himself well whenever United were through on goal. Jacob looked like he’d never been away with some excellent tackles and covering at the back, forming a strong partnership with the ever composed Louis.

United were a handful in the midfield, with several of their players happy having the ball at their feet and running at speed. Stanley, Richard and Chris did a commendable job tracking back and disrupting play and turning defence into attack. Gabriel was starved of the ball but didn’t stop running and ensured our defence started up front.

The start of the second quarter saw the introduction of Eadoin and Pete for Louis and Chris. Stanley dropped back to fill in for Louis and Gabriel was pushed out to the left allowing Eadoin the freedom to run at the heart of United’s defence.

Once again it was United who were out of the traps the fastest, continuing their crisp passing and strong running through the middle, only for their shooting to be off target thanks to Jacob’s quick closing down.

Gradually, Pete got into the quarter and started to link up well with Gabriel down the left and Eadoin up front. Then in the 20th minute a moment of magic from the little maestro, Eadoin receiving the ball from Pete just outside United’s box, he spun past the first defender, dribbled through two more before dinking the ball over the advancing keeper. This was Eadoin’s first involvement this season due to a pre-season injury and what a contribution it was.

As the quarter progressed, the game became more stretched requiring Stanley and Jacob to make several important tackles and interceptions. Pete’s long balls up front provided Gabriel and Eadoin the opportunity to break quickly and create several half chances.

United continued to battle hard and got their reward with some neat inter passing and a shot that beat Archie at the near post.

The third quarter saw Max, Louis and Chris replace Richard, Stanley and Gabriel. Jacob was reunited with the goalkeeping gloves and Archie slotted in at left back. At 1-1 the game started to have the feel of a cup game with chances being created at both ends. Max and Pete linked up well to almost force an own goal, while Archie and Louis threw their bodies on the line to ensure United didn’t get through.

Louis continued to look assured at the back and played some delicious through-balls up to Max and Eadoin but the final pass failed to materialize.

The game entered the final quarter and became rather disjointed with few chances for either side. With two minutes left of normal time on the clock, the Falcons finally got the breakthrough their efforts thoroughly deserved.

Eadoin received the ball on the left wing and played a delightful one-two with Stanley before placing the ball into the corner of the net. United looked beaten and Falcons pressed on and snatched a goal with the last kick of the game. Excellent wing back play from Archie combining with Chris provided Max with a chance at the far post and he smashed it into the top corner.

The 3-1 score line was tough on United who contributed a lot to this game but some tidy finishing from Eadoin and the composed Man of the Match performance from Louis ensured United will be ruing their wayward shooting on the coach back to Ascot.