Falcons v Flitwick Eagles  (a)  4 – 3 (friendly)

Well if the score leads you to think that this was a close game then you’re right – what started out as a continuation of our outstanding form against Woburn Lions just before Christmas finished up with us hanging on desperately for the final whistle.

A bright but cold morning saw us taking on Flitwick Eagles again, but this time in a friendly. We were unlucky to draw 2-2 with them in the league back at the start of October so the lads were looking for revenge. Seven-a-side on quite a small pitch saw Kevin start with his familiar line-up of Mikey in goal, Eric at the back, David, Harry and Niall in midfield and Charlie and Will in attack. Keir and Joseph were on the bench.

We started brightly and immediately took the game to Flitwick. Whether they were just a bit slow at starting or the boys were geed up with the half-hour training session held before travelling over, we soon had them in trouble. A quick throw from Will (completely ignoring Kevin’s instructions) found Charlie in the area, a sharp turn and shot – need I say more, Charlie doesn’t miss those – 1-0.

More pressure from The Falcons resulted in Will slotting home – 2-0. But the lads were determined and didn’t rest on their laurels, everyone was playing superbly. Flitwick’s attacks were effortlessly dealt with by Eric, with good assistance from the midfield trio, whilst the front pair were receiving good service and were a constant threat. The pressure bought a couple more close chances before Niall was able to pounce on a parry from their ’keeper to make the score 3-0, all inside the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Mikey move into midfield, Will drop into goal and Kier join the fray in attack. And we continued much as we left off, with David notching a superb goal from Harry’s corner – 4-0. This seemed to galvanise Flitwick into action, for they quickly forced a corner which was well taken and resulted in a cracking header sailing just over the bar. Flitwick pressed forward again and this time scored – 4-1. They looked more composed now and for the remainder of the second quarter slowly but surely started running the game. Half-time came with Flitwick in the driving seat, although we were still leading 4-1.

Surely this was still too large a deficit to make up ….. well, if it was, someone forgot to tell Flitwick. The third quarter saw them continue as they had finished the second, with some good football and some great passing and movement. Eric had dropped into goal, David back into defence and Will back up front and Eric’s goalkeeping abilities were certainly being tested. After a couple of very good saves, including one that was just on the line (another less sporting ref might easily have given it as a goal – come on now, who said NP Lions?), Eric was finally beaten – 4-2. We contained them for the rest of the quarter but our passing game had gone and we posed little threat, with only a few long range efforts.

The fourth quarter saw Keir don the ’keepers jersey and Eric return to defence, with both immediately being called into action. Flitwick were now playing as a team, taking us apart as easily as we had taken them apart in the first quarter. Some good defending kept the two goal advantage, although we never looked like increasing it. The Eagles then found a way through and scored – 4-3 and the pressure was on! Forget good defending, any sort of defending would suffice so long as it kept The Eagles out and the lads just managed it, with a grateful Falcons team hearing the final whistle without conceding any further goals.

To say this was a hard fought victory would be an understatement – what started as a stroll in the park ended up like the siege of Mafeking and full credit must be given to Flitwick, who should count themselves unlucky this time not to clinch at least a draw. A fine game from two very well matched teams.

Man of the Match:  Harry Peacock

Louis