Eagles triumph in the cliffhanger at Pitshanger

Pitshanger 1  Northolt Eagles 2

A late Troy Windscheffel strike stole the points on Sunday afternoon against a battling Pitshanger.

Whilst this was never a classic in terms of the quality of the football produced as both teams struggled hard to play good football on a boggy and full size pitch. Both teams produced a committed performance nonetheless and the game could have gone either way although Eagles created the greater number of chances.

Both teams started tentatively with Eagles particularly treating the ball like a hot potato, panicking in possession and giving the ball away cheaply. The first action of note was a through ball by Callum Smart that found Tyler offside. It was Tyler causing problems again when after 11 minutes he had a one on one with the keeper having beaten a chasing defender for speed but his shot was well saved by a keeper. Eagles were beginning to have some joy when attacking down the right and Tyler was again played through by Luke but his shot went just wide. A rare attack down the left by Pitshanger was bought to a close when Hugh was quickly off his line to gather the ball at the attacker’s feet on the edge of the box. On 17 minutes the Pitshanger goalkeeper made another save to deny Kyle. Another promising attack down the right produced good play and an overlap between Kyle and Luke. Luke got the cross in but it was poorly cleared by the goalkeeper and Sam Kennedy hit a rasping shot just wide. On 20 minutes there was a really promising attack involving Tyler, Kyle and Troy but they over complicated what was required and the chance went awry. When they pushed forward Pitshanger were still dangerous and a promising attack on 21 minutes was snuffed out by excellent defending by Callum Smart.

A period of sustained Eagles possession then ensued. We won a free kick just outside the Pitshanger box but the delivery was poor not beating the first defender. Troy then had a one on one with the goalkeeper but his shot was saved but on 25 minutes the deadlock was broken. Troy found Tyler unmarked on the right of the penalty area and his shot from a narrow angle found the net passed the approaching goalkeeper.

As half time approached a big clearance by Callum set Tyler away down the right but the cross was poor. The final attack of the half belonged to Pitshanger who attacked down the right BUT Hugh was quickly off his line to narrow the angle forcing the attacker to shoot wide.

Eagles went into half time ahead and changes were made. Liam, Kai and Dennis were substituted by Louis, Dillon and Joe.

The second half started brightly for eagles with Kyle and Tropy combining nicely but Kyle shots went well wide. Pitshanger then had several attacks in quick succession but their attackers were well offside on each occasion. Next it was Tyler’s turn to be caught offside when he began his run too early for Troy’s through ball.

Hugh was quickly off his line again to snuff out another attack and with Louis always being available as an option at left back continued to give Hugh a valuable option on a difficult pitch where kicking was difficult.

On 35 minutes a double save by the Pitshanger goalkeeper kept his team in it. On 46 minutes Pitshanger equalised. Hugh was quickly off his line to clear the ball on the edge of his area but the ball went to an approaching midfielder whose shot from 30 yards sailed over the Eagles defenders and into the net.

Pitshanger nearly took the lead on 47 minutes when they split the Eagles defence but Hugh stood tall and the striker hit a tame shot that Hugh saved. A quick attack from Eagles then resulted in Tyler being put through but his finish was poor. On 50 minutes Tyler was involved again but he shot when passing was a better option. Pitshanger were pressing hard now and only an excellent last ditch tackle by Louis prevented Pitshanger having a great chance. Substitutions were needed and Dillon and Luke were substituted by Liam and Dennis. Pitshanger continued to press with Sam Kennedy and Louis both clearing chances off the goal line.

On 57 minutes Troy dealt the killer blow. Put through down the right Troy had enough pace to break away from the defender and produce a clinical finish to the top corner.

So the Eagles carved out a hard fought win against tenacious opposition and further cemented their position at the top of the league.