EAGLES SNATCH CUP WIN WITH LATE GOAL

YOUTH FOOTBALL:

Canterbury Eagles under-12s were giant-killers in a thrilling match against Folkestone Invicta in the first round of the Charles Ridge Memorial Cup.

It was Division 1 side Invicta who took an early lead as a striker latched on to a long ball to leave keeper Jake Richards no chance.

However, the Division 2 Eagles struck back quickly when Atticus Shaw’s corner was headed in by Oliver Hadler.

After the break a Shaw corner went directly into the net to give Eagles the lead, although Invicta equalised to set up a grandstand finish.

Richards’ stunning save from a free-kick kept the Eagles chances alive and with penalties looming, man-of-the-match James Hodges crossed for Charlie Rabenda to slot the winner. Canterbury Eagles under-12s: Hadler, Shine, Hodges, Sampson, Rabenda, Grant, Hewitt, Shaw, Rencber. On Sunday, Eagles under-13s headed to Margate for a Kent Youth League match at Thanet Colts.

Eagles were the stronger team despite being far from their best and the first goal came when Eagles were awarded a penalty which Dylan Saunders converted.

It was 2-0 by half-time and 4-1 in the second half before two Colts goals made it 4-3 with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Eagles keeper Pearson Hulks took a knock to the face after a brave save and went off injured but it was Eagles who grabbed the crucial eighth and final goal.

Saunders lobbed his second to go with others from Monty Saunders, Kuame Clarke-hinds and Harry Leader, with Alfie Graña assisting two of the goals. Canterbury Eagles under-13s: P. Hulks, H. Peak, L. Crowley, M. Gourlay, E. Reid, T. Hayes, H. Leader, L. Ramos, M. Saunders (C), K. Clarke-hinds, D. Saunders, A. Graña, L. Williams.

Eagles under-13s’ parents’ man-of-the-match went to Monty Saunders, left, and the manager’s man-of-the-match to Harry Leader, right