Eaton Socon collected all three points against Rothwell Corinthians FC on Tuesday night at the Motive Arena to make it five league wins on the spin, lifting them into fourth position in the league table.
A tricky match where a strong second half performance from Eaton got them over the line, with two late goals securing the victory.
Eaton started well with Gabriel Ryan and Jake Williams both having good strikes at goal, with the Rothwell keeper just about keeping them out but not looking too convincing.
A corner on 10 minutes delivered by Dom Mason found Williams at the back post, who nodded home for a deserving opening goal for the home side. Williams could have made it two on 19 minutes after bursting through on goal but his effort sailed over the bar.
Eaton then had a spell where they took their foot off the gas allowing Rothwell into the game. A long throw resulted in a strike from the edge of the box finding its way into the bottom corner of Eaton’s goal, to level the scoreline 1-1 on 23 minutes.
Rothwell, lifted by their goal, upped the tempo of the game and went on to win most fifty-fifty balls.
Eaton had a lucky escape when the Rothwell number nine misfired in front of goal before another Rothwell corner was cleared off the line by Eaton’s keeper Shay Griffiths.
The keeper made a vital stop on 36 minutes from Rothwell’s number 10, as he burst through on goal. Eaton’s Stanley Dawkes then rifled an effort against the bar down the other end, with the Rothwell keeper well beaten.
With the half time whistle blown, Eaton had the chance to re-group and re-settle against a Rothwell side who were more than happy to display their physical style of play. All level at half time 1-1.
The second half started well for Eaton with Billy Roberts being brought on to replace Dawkes and newly signed James Ducket making his debut at the back, in place of Ryan Vale. This allowed Eaton to match Rothwell’s physical approach to the game.
Mason fired wide when well positioned on the edge of the box and Williams should have had a penalty when attempting a header from a Ducket cross.
On 70 minutes, Hayden Armiger was brought on to replace Ryan (who had a fine performance playing on the right) to add more pace to the right hand side of the pitch.
It was from out wide on the right that Eaton managed to regain the lead on 80 minutes, when another free-kick delivered into the Rothwell box found Roberts at the back post to power his header home. 2-1 to Eaton.
Stanley Ayre and Asher Banton were then introduced on 81 minutes, with Williams running into an Ayre through ball to force a good block for a corner. The resulting Mason corner was glanced in from debutant Ducket to seal a combative win on 83 minutes. 3-1 to Eaton.
Rothwell still managed a late effort on 94 minutes but Eaton’s keeper Griffiths was alert to the effort, with another big save to secure all three points for the eagles.
Another solid team performance from Eaton where the defenders and midfielders really had to weather a few tricky spells.
They came through in the end to dominate the second half of the game, with the introduction of Roberts and Ducket. A great performance from the two second half subs with goals from both Roberts and Ducket however, it’s Roberts who takes the Player of the Match for his game changing second half performance.
Goals: Williams, Roberts, Ducket
Player of the Match: Billy Roberts
On Saturday, September 21, the Eagles have the chance to top the league table as they take on London Colney at home at the Motive Arena, as all teams above are in FA Vase action. Kick-off 3pm.
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