Cupar Eagles Latest Match Report

Cupar Eagles fresh from their friendly 6 v 3 victory at the weekend over The Seagulls, took to the pitch against the champions elect Elvado. With the 8 v 1 defeat fresh in the minds of manager Marshall the last time these two teams met, it was with relief that he was able to field his strongest possible starting line up. Eagles started the brighter of the two teams with some slick passing play in evidence with the ball zipping from left to right as the Eagles went in seach of the opener. A shot from a fine angle from Halley almost produced dividends for the Eagles but the opposition keeper was alert and palmed the ball out for a corner. A move straight from the training ground saw a Pryde shot deflected onto the post and the chance was gone. A sad sight for the Eagles supporters was their Captain Mullen forced to leave the field through injury to be replaced by McLuckie after only 10 mins. It was against the run of play that Elvado took the lead, a speculative long ball was headed away by Syme only as far as the edge of the box where the Elvado striker lurked and a fortuitous shot just sneaked in at McGregors far post. The injuries continued for Eagles as Syme who had been strapped up to play succumb to his calf injury to be replaced by Marshall. Eagles pressed on for the equaliser and although chances came the Elvado keeper was in fine form and the half -time score read Eagles 1 v Elvado 0. The second half started as the first ended with more pressing from the Eagles, Marshall continued to dictate play from defence and this finally paid off, a ball out of defence was helped on its way by Halley to Pryde who burst through the Elvado defence to despatch the ball past the keeper for his first goal of the season. Eagles now had their wings spread and the game was there for the taking, then as so often this season, the killer blow, Elvado had the break of the ball from a McLuckie run, the ball zipped out to the right winger who then cut the ball back and suddenly the Eagles were behind. Marshall then made his final substitution, on came Martin, who although carrying a knee injury instantly made himself the hero as the big target man held the ball up long enough for Halley to arrive and then carve out the chance for Beauchop, who finished with gay aplomb. Chances continued by Elvado hung on for the draw. This season is now going the same as last with the Eagles finding form too late to match a significant tilt at the championship, and their supporters left to wonder of what might have been. Man of the Match Beauchop, next up for Eagles their final league fixture of this campaign against Six Regular Guys.Eagles:Roy McGregor, Ally Syme, John Mullen, Gary Pryde, Andrew Beauchop, Craig Halley.Subs:Greg McLuckie, Tommy Marshall, Walter Martin, Colin Clive