Match Report - CATERHAM EAGLES - 17 Sep 2017

A new season started with a trip to Lagham Road and Caterham Eagles who put us to the sword on the last day of last season. This time the tables were turned as a full flow Reigate comfortably dispatched the Eagles 4-2. Reigate looked pretty much the same with the only additions in the centre of the park with Eamonn and Billy coming in for their debuts. We got caught napping early doors and Caterham broke through early doors and nabbed a goal against the run of play. A bit of negativity was gripping the Hill but we turned it round quickly bringing our possession passing game to the table and started to pile the pressure on. Our first goal came from a ball over the top from Billy which put Smithy through who tucked it away for his first goal of the season. Scored turned provider when Eamonn found Smithy on the left who cut it back across to the oncoming Tulley who carved it home. We continued to play the better football with Driver and Smith hitting the post and Eamonn going close with a fizzer from range. The 2nd half started and once again we started slow allowing Caterham an equaliser when their Hazard lookalike got in behind and rounded Wigley and scored. Despite this it was clear we were still the better team and with 25 minutes to go Smithy once again broke away from a Billy pass and put it away. Caterham looked broken at this point and had a man sent off for a 2nd bookable offence which only served to give us a bigger advantage playing the ball around. A 4th came when Eamonn played a cracking ball through to Smithy who finished off his hat-trick and sealed the game. A solid win where we were clearly the better team, Smithy terrorised the defence and the attacking midfield 3 worked their arses off. Billy and Eamonn ran the tempo and had great debuts while the defence dealt with every danger they faced including a good day from Wigley in goal. Man of the match was given to Driver who won every ball in the air or on the ground. The defence were able to work on new tactics which allowed the defensive midfielders to control the game to their pace and every player worked to plan. Next week we travel to Warren Mead Reserves and we need to guarantee another 3 points!