Tag: Preview

PREVIEW | Eagles ready to renew Solent rivalry

28 Apr
Michael Dilley All News, Gameday, Previews, Senior Football , , ,

The Eagles are back in SFC1 Central action this weekend when they travel to the South Coast to meet the Solent Thrashers on Sunday (12.30pm).

It is the fourth meeting between the two sides, with the Thrashers running out winners in each of the first three contests – including eliminating the Eagles from the play-offs in 2014 and 2015.

In the first game of the season three weeks ago an under strength Eagles side ran out 14-12 winners in a competitive game away to South Wales Warriors.

The Thrashers meanwhile went down 23-0 at home to early pace-setters Sussex Thunder last weekend, and will be looking to bounce back in what is their second of three games in successive weeks.

Team News

Head Coach Neale McMaster reported no new injury concerns following the opening-day victory over the Warriors. A number of players who missed the Warriors game are set to make their first appearance of the season, including linebackers Gareth Pullen, Fabrizio Gargiulo and Paul Mountford, and wide receivers Troy Mayer, Ryan Bowtell, Chris Gains and Rich Batten.

Andrew Oliver and Gareth Thomas will be late decisions, but longer term absentees Peter Howgego, Raul Fernández, Oliver Latimer, Jack Noblest, John Rudgard and Darren Willison are still out.

Head Coach Neale McMaster

“Really excited to renew what has been a bit of a one-sided rivalry with Solent over the past few years. Given the changes both teams have gone through since we last played it’ll be interesting to see how teams have changed and improved.

“I’m excited by the improvements we’ve made ourselves since the South Wales game – continually focusing on developing our players – and I think we’re in a good position to get a ‘W’ for the first time against the Thrashers, although as is the case with all Steve Rains-coached teams I’m expecting it to be a tough fight.”

Directions

The Thrashers play their home games at Test Park, Lower Brownhill Road, Southampton SO16 9BP:

Game Coverage

If you can’t make it to Southampton to watch the games, we will be providing live play-by-play updates via our Twitter page.

PREVIEW | Eagles go west for season opener

06 Apr
Michael Dilley All News, Gameday, Previews, Senior Football , ,

The Eagles kick off the 2017 season with a long trip west to take on the South Wales Warriors this Sunday afternoon in SFC1 Central (2.30pm).

It is the first ever meeting between the two sides, and the Warriors’ first game since making the difficult decision to accept a voluntary relegation from the Premiership at the end of last season.

The Eagles meanwhile head into the game on the back of posting a disappointing 4-6 regular season record in 2016, but with a new coaching staff and a strong group of rookies looking to leave their mark.

Head Coach Neale McMaster

“I’m incredibly excited to get this season kicked off and I feel the trip down the Wales is the perfect opportunity for us to start this campaign off the right way.

“Having just came down from the Premiership last season, the Warriors will pose a great test for us to kick off our season. They have the experience of the higher level, both mentally and physically, and will test us in both departments.

“With the league schedule coming out so late we’ll be travelling with a pretty depleted squad to kick off the season, but I firmly believe the guys have it in them to go out and execute to the best of our ability and come away with a win.

“The thing I’m most looking forward to is seeing our Special Teams units be unleashed on an opponent.

“In our two pre-season games we’ve not really been able to rep them due to our opponents, so seeing them live will be exciting. I’m absolutely positive they will make a difference in the game.”

Directions

The Warriors play their home games at Llanharan Rugby Club on Bridgend Road, Llanharan CF72 9RD:

Title picture copyright Rob Dummer 2016.

PREVIEW | Blackhawks set for season finale

29 Jul
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football, Previews , , , , ,

The Blackhawks bring the curtain down on their inaugural season against Reading Lions in the BAFA Flag Southeastern Conference tomorrow.

Aylesbury Vale Spartans – who also face the Lions – are hosting the game. The ‘Hawks were also due to meet the Solent Thrashers but unfortunately they will not be attending.

The Blackhawks have their full squad available and will at full strength for the game, and Jed Parisi says the team are still pushing for an unlikely place in the post-season:

It’s the last gameday of the season and the guys are looking to close the season on a high. We are against some tough opposition but still not mathematically out of a playoff spot.

Schedule

The first game of the day will kick off at 10am, and pairs the Spartans with the Lions. After Highflyers pulled out of the league the reduced schedule for the morning is:

  • Aylesbury Vale Spartans vs Reading Lions
  • Bedford Blackhawks vs Reading Lions
Directions

The games will take place at Fairford Leys Pitches, Coldharbour Way (off Oxford Road), Aylesbury HP17 8QQ:

Game Coverage

If you can’t make it to Sandy to watch the games we will be providing regular updates via the Blackhawks Twitter and Facebook pages.

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:

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PREVIEW | Doncaster Mustangs (H)

15 Jul
Michael Dilley All News, Previews, Senior Football , , ,

The Eagles’ fourth and final home game of the 2016 season takes place this Sunday as we welcome the Doncaster Mustangs to Bedford International Athletics Stadium in the Midlands Football Conference (12pm).

TThe Mustangs were formed in 2002 by Mark Blyth, Doug McLean and James Berry, who had grown tired of driving to Merseyside to coach and play for the Nighthawks each weekend.

In the team’s second year they won the BAFL Division 2 title following an undefeated season which culminated in a 32-13 win over the Chiltern (now Hertfordshire) Cheetahs at the Don Valley Stadium in the bowl game.

The team made it back to the play-offs in 2005, and in 2007 moved to the newly-opened Keepmoat Stadium.

After three seasons in the Premier Division North between 2012 and 2014 where they posted successive records of 6-3-1, 6-4 and 0-9, the Mustangs were relegated to the restructured Northern Football Conference 1.

Last season the Mustangs went 4-6 to finish eighth in NFC 1, which included a strong finish to the campaign that saw them win their last three games.

Their first game of the season was the 13-12 defeat against the Eagles on 17th April, and they picked up their first win two weeks later against the Birmingham Bulls (20-13).

Since then they beat the impressive Sandwell Steelers 6-3, lost at the Nottingham Caesars (16-12) before getting their revenge at home (36-19).

In their last two games they completed the double over the Bulls thanks to a convincing 30-12 win at the Keepmoat, but in their last game went down 48-0 away to the Steelers.

After Peterborough pulled out of the league Sunday is the Mustangs’ last game of the season, and a win should be good enough to secure a play-off place.

The Eagles meanwhile come into the game on the back of an impressive 40-19 victory over the Nottingham Caesars last month to move to 4-4 for the season, with a place in the play-offs still a possibility.

Team News

The Eagles will be without Kevin Kong, Miguel Alvarez-Frias, Nathaniel Ashby and Oliver Lattimer, as well as long-term injury victims defensive back Vasco Dias (knee), offensive lineman James Busby (leg) and defensive lineman Anthony Ogunleye (shoulder).

MustangsCover

In this week’s Programme

This week’s programme cover features Chairman and Offensive Coordinator Neale McMaster.

Inside we hear from McMaster, Interim Head Coach Darren Hill and Rookie of the Week Nathan Spencer.

We also have a feature on our visitors the Doncaster Mustangs, a Spectator Guide and more.

The programme is free with admission (£2 each for adults or free for under-18s).

Directions

Our home games are played at Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Barkers Lane, Bedford MK41 9SB.

The Bedford River Festival is taking place this weekend which means there may be some road closures in place around the Embankment, so please ensure you leave extra time to get to BIAS for the game:

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:

  • App Store
  • Google Play Store

PREVIEW | Blackhawks look to build on first win

10 Jun
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football, Previews , , , , , ,

The Blackhawks travel back to East London this weekend for their next round of BAFA Flag Southeastern Conference games.

The matches, which take place tomorrow, are hosted by the Victoria Park Panthers and as well as the Blackhawks feature the West Essex Showboats and Aylesbury Vale Panthers.

The Blackhawks will be without a number of regular players for tomorrow’s game, as Jed Parisi (cornerback), Jonny Stratford (linebacker), Cody Hinton (cornerback), PJ Pateman (cornerback) and Josh Randall (wide receiver) are all unavailable.

In the most recent meetings between the sides the Blackhawks lost 56-0 to the Showboats and 32-18 to the Spartans, but speaking on behalf of the team Jake Cooper said that the team aren’t giving up on the post-season yet:

The guys are looking to take the boost we gained through our first league win last weekend and translate that into further success for the ‘Hawks.

With a crucial fixture between us and the Spartans taking place that if we win, keeps our dreams of play-off football alive, this game day is arguably one of our most important.

We won’t be at full strength due to handful of absentees, however the players that will be travelling down are sure to give their all to try and bring home another W.

Schedule

The first game of the day will kick off at 11am, and pairs the Spartans with the hosts. The full schedule for the day is:

  • Aylesbury Vale Spartans vs Victoria Park Panthers
  • Bedford Blackhawks vs West Essex Showboats
  • West Essex Showboats vs Victoria Park Panthers
  • Bedford Blackhawks vs Aylesbury Vale Spartans
Directions

The games will take place on the old section of Wanstead Flats: Harrow Road, E11 3QD:

Game Coverage

If you can’t make it to Wanstead to watch the games, we will be providing regular updates via the Blackhawks Twitter and Facebook pages.

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:

  • App Store
  • Google Play Store

PREVIEW | Nottingham Caesars (A)

09 Jun
Michael Dilley All News, Previews, Senior Football , , ,

The Eagles’ next game of the 2016 season takes place this Sunday away to Nottingham Caesars in the Midlands Football Conference.

It is the second meeting between the two sides this season, after the Caesars ran out 26-6 victors at BIAS back in April.

Since then they were edged out 6-0 at home to the Sandwell Steelers, won a thriller against the Birmingham Bulls 37-34 thanks to an interception on the last play of the game, and lost a close one 16-12 to the fast-improving Doncaster Mustangs.

The Eagles meanwhile come into the game looking to snap a three-game losing streak, having also lost 14-0 at home to the Steelers and 13-12 against the Bulls in recent weeks.

Team News

Offensive lineman John Rudgard will be a game time decision after missing the Bulls game with a back injury. Defensive captain Gareth Pullen returns to the squad.

The Eagles have no new injury concerns so will still be without long-term injury victims defensive back Vasco Dias (knee), offensive lineman James Busby (leg) and defensive lineman Anthony Ogunleye (shoulder).

Directions

The Caesars play their home games at the Harvey Hadden Sports Village on Wigman Road, Nottingham NG8 4PB.

Game Coverage

If you can’t make it to Nottingham for the game it will be streamed live by the Caesars via Caesars TV.

We will also be providing regular updates on the game via Facebook and Twitter, as well as on this website.

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:

  • App Store
  • Google Play Store

PREVIEW | Birmingham Bulls (H)

02 Jun
Michael Dilley All News, Previews, Senior Football , , ,

The Eagles’ third home game of the 2016 season takes place this weekend as we welcome the Birmingham Bulls to Bedford International Athletics Stadium in the Midlands Football Conference.

The Bulls were founded in 1983 and played their first competitive games a year later.

They won their first Conference in 1985 after going 12-0 in the AFL Midlands Division, and in 1986 won their first of four National Championships (1988, 1991, 1995).

The Bulls have made the play-offs 21 out of 31 times in their history – although only once since 2006 – and have been BritBowl runners up five times (1989, 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2000).

Last season they went 4-6 in Southern Football Conference 1 which included two defeats against the Eagles: 21-14 at Erin Go Bragh in April and 23-18 in the return game at BIAS in July.

They lost their season opener this year away from home against the Sandwell Steelers (18-14) on 17th April and also went down 20-13 against the Doncaster Mustangs at home two weeks later.

In their most recent game they lost 37-34 in a thriller against the Nottingham Caesars in which they lead until the closing stages. Following the Saxons forfeiting their season they have had a few weeks off to prepare for today’s game, as they look to pick up their first win of the season.

The Eagles meanwhile come into the game on the back of a 14-0 home defeat against the Steelers a fortnight ago to slip to 3-3 for the season so far, and need a win to keep alive any faint hope of a making a late charge for a play-off place.

Team News

The Eagles have no new injury concerns heading into the game, so will only be without long-term injury victims defensive back Vasco Dias (knee), offensive lineman James Busby (leg) and defensive lineman Anthony Ogunleye (shoulder).

image

In this week’s Programme

This week’s programme cover features Interim Head Coach Darren Hill.

Inside we hear from Chairman Neale McMaster, Coach Hill, Offensive Captain Ross Hubbard and Rookie of the Week Joey Foggan.

We also have a feature on our visitors the Birmingham Bulls, a Spectator Guide and more.

The programme is free with admission (£2 each for adults or free for under-18s).

Directions

Our home games are played at Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Barkers Lane, Bedford MK41 9SB:

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:

  • App Store
  • Google Play Store

PREVIEW | Sandwell Steelers (H)

19 May
Michael Dilley All News, Previews, Senior Football , , ,

The Eagles’ second home game of the 2016 season takes place this weekend as we welcome the Sandwell Steelers to BIAS in the Midlands Football Conference.

It is the second meeting between the two sides this season, after Sandwell ran out 24-6 victors last month at Tipton Academy.

Since then they have also beaten local rivals the Birmingham Bulls (18-14) and Nottingham Caesars (6-0), and last week lost for the first time so far this season, 6-3 away to the Doncaster Mustangs.

The Eagles bounced back from the opening day defeat by digging out a 13-12 win over the Mustangs, but then lost the home opener to the Nottingham Caesars a week later.

Team News

Eagles QB Zach Wodaege is fully fit for the first time this season, as is Wide Receiver Alex Smith.

Wide Receiver Kevin Vasquez makes his return from special Team America business and Running Back Richard Thompson is expected to make his debut.

On defense new signings Julian Ikeme (LB) and Mal Stevenson (DL) will also make their debuts after transferring from the London Blitz and Peterborough Saxons respectively.

Long-term injury victims Vasco Dias (DB), James Busby (OL) and Anthony Ogunleye are all out.

image

In this week’s Programme

This week’s programme cover features Defensive Back Chris Parr.

Inside we hear from Chairman Neale McMaster, Interim Head Coach Darren Hill, Defensive Captain Gareth Pullen and Rookie of the Week Matthew Greet.

We also have a feature on our visitors the Sandwell Steelers, a Spectator Guide and more.

The programme is free with admission (£2 each for adults or free for under-18s).

Directions

Our home games are played at Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Barkers Lane, Bedford MK41 9SB:

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:

  • App Store
  • Google Play Store

PREVIEW | Nottingham Caesars (H)

21 Apr
Michael Dilley All News, Previews, Senior Football , , ,

The Eagles’ first home game of the 2016 season takes place this season as we welcome the Nottingham Caesars to BIAS in the Midlands Football Conference.

After two difficult seasons in the Premier Division the Caesars returned to Division One last year, and posted a much-improved record of 4-5-1 in the BAFANL 1 Northern Conference which included a 26-20 defeat to fellow MFC1 opponents the Doncaster Mustangs.

Their 2016 campaign has kicked off positively thanks to a 23-12 victory over the Peterborough Saxons a fortnight ago, and they will be looking to continue their bright start against an Eagles team that has mixed fortunes to date.

Following a disappointing opening day defeat against the Sandwell Steelers the Eagles dug out a 13-12 win over the Mustangs last weekend, and head into the game with renewed confidence.

Team News

Eagles QB Zach Wodaege was expected to return against the Mustangs last week but is a gametime decision this time around due to the knee injury he picked up during pre-season.

Defensive Back Kevin Kong returns to the squad for the first time this season and Offensive Lineman John Phillips is also back in contention after missing the Doncaster game.

Cody Hausenbuiller is available again but fellow Wide Receiver Matthew Hamilton is out with a hamstring injury.

Anthony Ogunleye misses the game after dislocating his shoulder in the season opener at Sandwell, and long-term injury victims Vasco Dias (DB) and James Busby (OL) are also both still out.

In this week’s Programme

image

This week’s programme cover features Defensive Lineman Andy Larwill.

Inside we hear from Chairman Neale McMaster, Darren Hill ahead of his first home game as Interim Head Coach, Offensive Captain Danny Cousins and Rookie of the Week Miguel Alvarez-Frias.

We also have a feature on our visitors the Nottingham Caesars, a Q&A with Caesars Assistant Head Coach Vanden Warner, a Spectator Guide and more.

The programme is free with admission (£2 each for adults, free for under-18s and free for anyone who has downloaded our mobile app for iOS and Android).

Directions

Our home games are played at Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Barkers Lane, Bedford MK41 9SB:

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:

  • App Store
  • Google Play Store

PREVIEW | Doncaster Mustangs (A)

14 Apr
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , , ,

The 2016 BAFANL Midlands Football Conference continues this weekend as the Eagles travel to Doncaster to take on the Mustangs.

Last season the Mustangs went 4-6 to finish eighth in NFC 1, which included a strong finish to the campaign that saw them win their last three games. They will be looking to continue that good run against the Eagles in what will be their first game of the season season.

The Eagles kicked off their 2016 campaign last week with a disappointing defeat away to Sandwell Steelers.

Team News

Eagles QB Zach Wodaege returns to the squad after missing the Sandwell game with a knee injury.

Anthony Ogunleye is out after dislocating his shoulder last weekend, and LB Byron Chowles is doubtful due to an ankle knock.

Offensive Linemen James Busby and John Phillips will both miss the game, but Defensive Linemen Dick Price and Oliver Lattimer make welcome returns.

Rookie RB Raul Fernandez will again be a game time decision with an oblique strain, and Defensive Back Vasco Dias continues his recuperation from a serious knee injury.

Directions

The Mustangs play their home games at the Keepmoat Stadium complex on the Athletics Arena, Stadium Way, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN4 5JW.

Game Coverage

If you can’t make it to Doncaster for the game, we will be providing regular in-game updates on all the action via our Facebook and Twitter pages from 2.30pm.

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:

  • App Store
  • Google Play Store