Report

Blue Eagles dream of reaching a cup final this year are all over as they battled back from 2-0 down only to lose 5-2 to Shepway in the Group A Semi Final of the Challenge Cup.

Both teams started well but it was Shepway who took an undeserved early lead after the referee got in the way of Eagles midfielder Darren Handley only for him to lose the ball which was picked up by a Shepway player on the edge of the box to drill the ball past the Eagles keeper. Shepway soon doubled there lead after a cross come shot looped over the helpless keeper to give Shepway a 2-0 lead. Eagles kept battling away and soon were rewarded when Andrew Whiting picked up the ball from just outside the box and placed the ball into the bottom corner of the goal to make it 2-1 at half time.

Eagles controlled the start of the second half and soon drew level and once again it was Andrew Whiting who-s well taken goal got eagles back on level terms. Eagles then sat back as Shepway stepped up a gear and were soon back in front as they exploited gaps on Eagles right wing to give the Shepway a striker a free run at goal to put the ball past the keeper near side post. Eagles kept attacking but could not find the gaps required and with Eagles pushing forward, Shepway had space to go on the counter attack and soon added two more goals which were identical to Shepway-s third to give them a place in the final at Chatham Town FC.