The highs and lows of Hackney Marshes. The ref joins in our desultory warm-up, camping up the stretches. The opposition go flapping around the marshes til we lure them in with sparrow tweets. As the wind whips across the open space Ben, our lightning on the left, limps out with a wounded wing. Two great goals in the first half from Joe Haley - one a quickly taken free kick, the other a 60 yard run down the left before firing across the goalie - probably mean this cup game has only one outcome. But the young Eagles plug away and make us work for the win. Liam harries and worries and out-jumps the centre back who is twice his height and weight. Big centre back in turn makes some skilful forages forward, threatening to undo us.
A late Eagles substitute adds pace swoop and deft feet. But relentless pecking from Recreativo sees Liam sink his talons into 4 well deserved goals. Eagles show plenty of spirit and lots of promise. It seems strange to be the side with more experience. As we wrap up something nasty kicks off in another game. Police cars and ambulances arrive. Rumours of a stabbing. Sun is nearly down. Mid winter approaches. We're still riding the thermals but with ruffled feathers.
Team: Aaron Gayle, Adam Bradbury, Max Bland, Ben Chambers, Chris Chambers, Joe Dunthorne, Joe Grubb, Joe Haley, Joao Spinola, Dan Hare, Liam Greenaway, Mario Pisano, Uma Ba.