Confidence was high in the Eagles camp after last weeks win. Hazbeens provided the opposition with the match played on a glorious sunny evening. Hazbeens came out of the blocks quickest and threatened the Eagles goal on numerous occasions before drawing first blood with a angled drive which gave keeper Mullen no chance to go one up. Malcolm tested the Hazbeens keeper with a right foot shot but the keeper dealt with this comfortably. Hazbeens doubled their advantage with slackness in the Eagles defence allowing their marksman time to pick his spot in the back of the net.
Eagles raised their game in the second half but Halley and Marshall where just off target before Hazbeens scored twice more for an unassailable lead at four nil. Eagles heads went down for a period before Pryde found the back of the net with a clinical finish into the right hand corner. Eagles scored again to put the pressure back on Hazbeens when Halley blitzed past his marker and coolly dispatched the ball past the keeper. With time now the enemy Eagles pushed forward with Clive becoming instrumental in his midfield role but Hazbeens held on and eventually put the match beyond doubt with a fifth when Syme was caught out at the back to allow their pacy winger to rifle a shot past Mullen to complete the scoring. Eagles support are reminded the prestigious annual Ceres 5 a-sides will take place on this Sunday.
Final score: Cupar Eagles 2 Hazbeens 5
Eagles line-up:
1. John Mullen
2. Ally Syme
3. Roy McGregor
4. Mark Malcolm
5. Craig Halley
6. Gary Pryde
Subs:
7. Gregg McLuckie
8. Tommy Marshall
9. Colin Clive
Man of the Match: Halley
Match sponsors: Ali's Discount Store
CERES GAMES
Cupar Eagles Young Guns were first up in the Ceres Games 5 a-sides where they faced Bridge Athletic. Most players were signed from the Youth Academy although a couple of old heads were present. Athletic took the lead halfway through the game but Eagles reply was swift as experienced campaigner Clive burst through the middle and slotted his effort home to the delight of the watching crowd. No further scoring so the game went to penalties and although Clive and Pryde scored Eagles went out as Bauchope and McLuckie missed.
Final Score: Cupar Eagles Young Guns 1 Bridge Athletic 1
Athletic won 3-2 on Penalties
line-up:
1. Mark Malcolm
2. Gregg McLuckie
3. Gary Pryde
4. Andrew Bauchope
5. Colin Clive
Cupar Eagles received a bye to the last sixteen and faced Screen Wash for a place in the Quarter Finals. Mullen made some excellent saves early doors and Marshall made some timely interventions with crucial tackles but the door would finally squeeze open as wave after wave of attack on the Eagles goal at long last brought a dividend as two goals were conceded. Eagles battled well but last seasons winners proved just too strong and eventually recorded a two nil victory.
Final Score: Cupar Eagles 0 Screen Wash 2
Line up:
1. John Mullen
2. Ally Syme
3. Shaun Mullen
4. Lewis McLuckie
5. Tommy Marshall
LEAGUE ACTION
Cupar Eagles were next up in action the following evening against league leaders Steau Needarest this time on league business. Steau made the early running and soon the goals rained in through the Eagles net. Mullen did his best to keep the scoreline respectful with some wonder saves but Steau and in particular Lindsay Sharp were not to be denied and Eagles found themselves six goals down at half-time.
Clive had a half chance but fluffed his shot with the goal beckoning and Marshall slipped at a crucial point as the danger on the Steau goal was cleared.
Young Academy starlet Lewis McLuckie rescued some much needed pride as the Eagles finally scored but Steau raised their game near the finish and ran out comfortable winners by ten goals to one.
Line up:
1. John Mullen
2. Ally Syme
3. Gary Pryde
4. Craig Halley
5. Colin Clive
6. Andrew Bauchope
Subs:
7. Lewis McLuckie
8. Tommy Marshall
9. Gregg McLuckie
EAGLES LOSE
Eagles were back in action in a league encounter versus Elevado. With a full strength team Eagles were confident of a tangible result. This was no more evident when Malcolm swivelled just outside the Elevado box before unleashing a thunderbolt into the left hand corner for a superb opener. Unfortunately this was as good as it got as Elevado recovered and took a 3-1 lead at the interval.
Despite manager Marshall's words of wisdom during the changever about defending as a unit Eagles proceeded to kick themselves in the foot as a barrowload of goals were conceded materialising from basic defensive deficiencies. As a result eight goals were lost and to compound matters none were scored as the Eagles slumped to another heavy defeat with the final score being 11-1.
Final score: Cupar Eagles 1 Elevado 11
Eagles line-up:
1. John Mullen
2. Ally Syme
3. Andrew Beachope
4. Gregg McLuckie
5. Craig Halley
6. Mark Malcolm
Subs:
7. Gary Pryde
8. Tommy Marshall
9. Colin Clive
10. Lewis McLuckie
Man of the Match: Clive
