Bonny Eagle simply could not convert at Westbrook on Thursday evening, Oct. 6, despite applying good pressure throughout the game. Meanwhile, the Blazes’ own Shammah Gahomera caught fire, tallying a hat trick and leading his boys to a 3-0 W over the Scots.

The matchup meant a lot to both teams: “We were extremely nervous,” Westbrook head coach Vince Aceto said. “We’re 10th in the seeds, and we needed at least two out of the next three, this being the biggest bunch of points.”

Gahomera described his mindset, heading into the battle. “I’ve played with (the Bonny Eagle) guys before, so I knew how they played. They’re guys who work hard; in my mind, I was just like, ‘Gotta go hard and not stop.’ Playing 80 minutes.”

The Blazes, currently ninth in A South, jumped to 5-6-1 on the result, while the Scots, ranked 12th at the moment, slipped to 2-6-1.

Bonny Eagle possessed the ball for much of the first half, and did a fine job of pushing effectively into Westbrook territory. But they couldn’t cap their efforts; their shots just wouldn’t fall.

“There were times, periods, where we had very good plays,” said Bonny Eagle head coach Larry Robertson. “We were putting pressure on them, we were sending in crosses, and they were going across, and throw-ins were going across, and going across the six…[we were] just looking for that person to sell out and go hard for the ball and put the ball in the back of the net.”

So it was the Blazes who struck first, Gahomera beating Scots keeper Brady Grass just seven minutes into the game for 1-0. 

“I thought we did really good to fend off [Bonny Eagle’s pressure],” said Westbrook keeper Jacob Brackett. “Our defense has been struggling, but we really showed up and countered their attack. We changed up our formation and that really helped out our play.”

Bonny Eagle continued to battle, but still couldn’t capitalize, and when Gahomera notched another – a redirect on a cross-ball – with just 5.6 seconds remaining in the half, the Scots were clearly pushed back on their heels.

“The second one – I wasn’t sure if that was going on, because it was on my left and I’m righty. It was a goal of luck,” Gahomera said. 

Even up by two at the half, the Blazes nevertheless needed to maintain their poise, as Aceto reminded them: “We told [the team] to keep focused and not get ahead, and just to stick to the game plan we had at yesterday’s practice – and that was checking to the ball more, something we don’t do enough of. But we did tonight.”

Bonny Eagle’s Ben Steeves earned a near miss – on a redirect near the left side of the Westbrook cage – 11 minutes into the second half, giving the team a reason to think they might finally be homing in for the kill. 

“We had a really good effort,” Robertson said. “But right now, the goals just aren’t falling for us. We’ve had several opportunities in so many games, the goals just aren’t coming.”

Gahomera earned his third of the night at 22:22, heading home a corner initially lofted up by teammate Grayson Post.

“The third one was a corner,” Gahomera said. “It’s rare in this team. Grayson did a nice job; that was just beautiful. I saw it coming and I was like, ‘This is mine.’”

Gahomera nearly tallied a fourth goal ten minutes later, on a left-to-right cross that ultimately sailed a hair wide. 3-0 the final, then.

Westbrook has just two games left on their regular-season schedule: A road matchup at No. 17 Biddeford (0-10) on Thursday the 13th, and a home bout vs. No. 11 Sanford (4-6-1) five days later.

Bonny Eagle hosts No. 13 Noble (3-6) on Tuesday the 11th and No. 8 Marshwood (7-3) on the 13th. They close their schedule with road battles at Windham (No. 15, 2-9) on the 15th and Massabesic (No. 16, 1-9) on the 18th.

For a longer version of this article, and more photos, visit www.keepmecurrent.com/category/sports.

Westbrook keeper Jacob Brackett surveys the field, looking to punch the ball forward for his teammates.

Westbrooker Ryan Shackley chases after Scot Ethan Hamilton, but Hamilton gets the ball away in time.

Westbrooker Patrick Sanderson goes up for a header in the Blazes’ matchup with Bonny Eagle.

Bonny Eagler Ryan Moody reels in an airball at Westbrook on Thursday.

Westrbrook’s Caleb Barlow puts himself between a Bonny Eagle opponent and the ball. 

The Scots’ David Byrne and the Blazes’ Shammah Gahomera clash near midfield.

Bonny Eagler Caleb Pendleton steps to, trying to interrupt the Blazes’ Ryan Shackley.