Solent win on record 40 yard field goal, Eagles wings clipped

Report by Gordon Dedman

Photos courtesy of Gordon Dedman - https://www.flickr.com/photos/107007642@N02/sets/72157652886386724

 

Knocked out of last year’s Quarter Finals by the Thrashers, the Eagles travelled to the south coast hoping for revenge and looking to improve their chances of playing postseason football this year.

The Thrashers were intent on staying in touch with division leaders the Farnham Knights, who on paper looked to have easier opponents on the day.

 

The Eagles put their trust in their defense by deferring their options to the second half, enabling the Thrashers offense to take to the field first. After some good pass defense, wide receiver Joe Pascoe spectacularly rescued a falling ball before it fell incomplete to allow the Thrashers drive to continue.

Three plays later, Pascoe put six points on the board with his completion in the end zone. Will Elgeti converted the extra point to give the Thrashers a 7-0 lead.

The Eagles offense struggled and went three and out as quarterback Justin LaRoda was put under constant pressure, failing to find his open receivers. After swapping possessions, the Thrashers increased their lead as Kyle Latore caught a short pass and then piled on the yards after the catch as he brushed aside his tacklers for the score.

With the Thrashers on top and the Eagles offense unproductive, it took a penalty that took away a Solent interception to kick the Eagles into life. LaRoda launched a bomb to his receiver who had stolen behind the Thrashers secondary and his run into the end zone was an easy ride. The Eagles missed the extra point, but they now had some encouragement to motivate them.

Both defenses were now dictating the pace of the game as the offenses failed to move the ball until a broken play forced the Eagles quarterback to scramble left outrunning his opponents and putting six points on the scoreboard. For their two points after attempt, LaRoda went straight up the middle and the game was now tied 14-14.

When the Eagles took the second half kickoff, they marched down the field until they stalled trying to enter the red zone. That was the nearest either team looked like scoring until deep into the final quarter when the Thrashers field goal unit took to the field for a 40-yard field goal attempt.

With the teams cancelling each other out, it was going to take a special player to break the stalemate and the consistent kicking of Elgeti did just that. His club record 40-yard field goal gave the Thrashers a 17-14 lead and the victory they needed.

A flag on the play meant the initial celebrations were subdued. After the officials confirmed the penalty was on the Eagles, Solent began to sense the win, but there was still over two minutes to see out.

As for much of the game, both defense held strong so the Thrashers go marching on while the Eagles have to regroup and put some time into improving their offense to match the tenacity of their defense.