Diack and an own goal help Eagles to victory

Sarratt 1 Letchworth GC Eagles 2

HSCL Premier Division

Letchworth were a little fortunate to come away with all points on Saturday as they faded after a bright opening 15 minutes.

Within two minutes John Steyne was played into a clear shooting position by a pass from Ben Antcliff but blasted his shot just over the bar, but soon afterwards Hunter Diack scored after racing on to a ball from Krystian Machalak and beat the keeper to the ball before guiding it into an open net.

After 30 minutes the same player almost scored again with a delicate chip towards the top corner which kissed the outside of the post before going wide.

Sarratt never threatened up to this point but they did dominate the final five minutes of the half.

A cross from the left was only parried by Eagles keeper Dan Goade and Antcliff had to clear the ball only yards from goal from onrushing Sarratt players.

Goad then parried a shot from 15 yards and on half-time cleared with his legs and body from inside six yards.

Within minutes of the restart Sarratt broke clear again and a goal-bound shot was only saved by the outstretched leg of Goad, seemingly the busiest player on the field.

Sarratt did get the ball into the net after 60 minutes but it was ruled out for offside.

Eagles were on the ropes and only threatened in breakaways. Diack was brought down when clear on goal, but appeals for a penalty were waved away by the match referee.

Goad saved another shot with his legs as the game went into its last quarter, and substitute Jamie Farrer almost scored for Eagles but put the ball just over the bar from 15 yards.

As the minutes ticked away Eagles then scored a bizarre second goal. The ball was crossed into the Sarratt penalty area and as a defender tried to hoof it clear he only succeeded in hitting the ball against another defender and into the net.

The last few minutes were mainly dominated by the home team and in extra time they bundled the ball into the net from a yard out after a lack of communication between Eagles defenders who failed to properly clear the ball.