U11 Black
Confidence brimming Raiders started strongly with a goalmouth scramble keeping Raiders out in the opening seconds. Stacey came close with some mazy runs and a fiery shot from distance. A fine overlap on the wing by Booker and Stacey went close for a 3rd & 4th time. A great save by Peachey foiled Wokingham threatened to frustrate Raiders and steal the lead.
But Stacey's weighted pass to Walsh set him off to the byline, squaring for Sweetman to bundle into the net and open scoring. This was the catalyst for Raiders to "cut loose" with Stacey screaming in a left foot for 2-0. Young took charge at the back mopping up all comers with intelligent display of the art of defence earning him the Effort Award.
In the 2nd half Raiders fitness told with James Back dominating midfield and going close with a long range effort to the post. Walsh crossed to Harris-White who turned and netted for Raiders third. Seconds later Harris' strong solo run and shot made it four. Walsh watched his drive smack the post but in-form Harris was there for his 3rd and 5th goal in 2 games - five nil. Wokingham rallied to get one and it needed two brave collections at the feet of attackers from Peachey and determined tackling by Booker to stay well ahead.
Sweetman scraped the post and a floating high cross from Stacey was headed home by a buzzing Thurlow for 6-1 and could have been seven if Stacey's cheeky last minute chip hadn't nicked the apex.
Will Young received the Effort award for his solid defensive skills.
Squad
Liam Peachey, Sam Booker, Will Young, Guy Thurlow, Alex Harris-White, Max Sweetman, Louis Walsh, Rowan Stacey, James Back.
Sweetman opened Raiders' account after 5 minutes with a snapshot as the ball came loose, moments later Harris-White stole in to get on the end of a cross into the box. Next a moment of pure brilliance as Sweetman's turn left his marker for dead & blistered down the wing to setup Harris-White's 2nd. Raiders showed great structure with Booker in defiant mood and Young shutting down any threat, to feed Stacey's pace on the left. Peachey's reactions kept Raiders 3 clear with a point blank block at the end of the half.
Hammers were stoic in defence and their goalie inspired as he saved shot after shot from Stacey, Sweetman and Walsh. Back hit the post twice in 2 seconds and Peachey parried superbly as a highball look destined for the top corner. Frustration evaporated when great calling, enterprising football and probing runs from Thurlow in midfield led to Walsh's corner neatly tucked in by Back.
Booker showed flexibility returning at left wing and his piercing cross was unselfishly teed up by Harris-White for Back to take his 2nd. The goalie again denied Harris-White his hat trick but a fine performance won Alex a deserved effort award, topping off an organized display of team play.
Squad
Liam Peachey, Sam Booker, Will Young, Guy Thurslow, Alex Harris-White, Max Sweetman, Louis Walsh, Rowan Stacey, James Back.
Rotherfield were under pressure from the start as Woodley repeatedly tested their keeper. Rotherfield looked firmly on the back foot and with only 3 minutes gone Woodley pushed swiftly down the left delivering an early strike that left Peachey no chance. Rotherfield immediately raised their game with the whole team showing the determination needed to turn the tie around. Strong defending from Peachey, Booker and Young, probing midfield shots from Back, Walsh, Sweetman and Stacey becoming ever more determined in front of goal allowed Rotherfield to get back into the match. 10 minutes gone and Walsh, going for goal from outside the area, shot wide only to see an incoming Saints defender collect the ball into his own net! Play was fast and open and Woodley were dangerous in attack. Rotherfield's defence had to work hard to ensure they did not concede another when just on half-time a long Booker goal-kick saw Stacey get behind Woodley's defence and power the ball into the net.
The second half saw early Raiders pressure with Woodley a constant threat. 5 minutes in Young stole the ball on the edge of his area, distributed quickly to Stacey whose deft pass released Walsh down the left. Walsh finished with an unstoppable strike! The last 10 minutes saw Rotherfield strong in defence and by far the most potent going forward with Harris-White and Thurlow making repeated forays towards goal. Another quick pass from defence saw Stacey set up Sweetman, ball at his feet, in front of goal, Sweetman made no mistake! A moment of sloppy play allowed Woodley to pull one back but Thurlow quickly made amends with lightening reactions to a loose ball guaranteeing Rotherfield the victory.
A great win! A superb team effort! Sam Booker was awarded Man of the Match for a gutsy non-stop defensive performance.
Squad
James Back, Sam Booker, Alex Harris-White, Liam Peachey, Rowan Stacey, Max Sweetman, Guy Thurlow, Louis Walsh, Will Young,
The Raiders outplayed Whitchurch during the fifty minutes but it was individual performances rather than tight team work that kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Rowan Stacey opened the scoring with a goal after four minutes. Some good runs and neat turning off the ball allowed him to complete his hat trick by the middle of the first half. A fourth goal was added by Alex Harris-White before half time.
It was not all Rotherfield and Whitchurch did have periods when they exerted pressure on the Raiders goal. Liam Peachey made three or four glorious saves. He has also added a deft Jonny Wilkinson style drop goal kick to his repertoire that has distance and accuracy.
Player rotation characterised the middle section of the game. Max Sweetman's runs and commitment in attack and defence were strong. But other Raiders' players found themselves out of position a lot during this phase.
Louis Walsh made some silky individual runs down the left wing carving lines that Whitchurch were unable to deal with. His completer-finisher skills ensured another two goals.
As if not to be outdone on the left wing, Guy Thurlow mirrored Walsh's performance on the right wing. Determined runs and strong shooting, the second from 15 metres out, added to a high scoring match.
Defensively Sam Booker, Will Young and James Back shared the honours. There were some good tackles but they were not really tested although Whitchurch did score mid-way through the second half.
This was a decisive win for Raiders but better passing and more communication will be needed in future games.
Louis Walsh was given the effort award for his positive runs and good finishing.
Squad
James Back, Sam Booker, Alex Harris-White, Liam Peachey, Rowan Stacey, Max Sweetman, Guy Thurlow, Louis Walsh, Will Young
A classic game of 2 halves; Raiders looked lulled by warm September sunshine starting slowly against a spritely Reading Rangers. Under pressure from the start, Reading made it 1 nil after 5 minutes and a second swiftly followed. As Raiders spent most of the half defending their goal keeper Peachey's goalkeeping and Walsh's looping shot were rare highlights.
The introduction of Back immediately brought flashes of the Raiders potential and as the referee brought his whistle to his lips a series of neat passes ended with Stacey finding Sweetman to tuck the ball home and open Raiders' account.
In the 2nd half Raiders were a different team. Passion, tackling and fine heading was symbolised by James Back as he took control in a fine display of midfield dominance that would earn him the effort award.
Gritty determination at the back from Thurlow and Young released Sweetman's pace alongside Harris-White's probing runs. Peachey took care of scarce attacks as chances started to come. Stacey used silky skills to launch a snapshot that spun off the top of the bar as Raiders looked out of luck.
But crucially Back's distribution allowed Walsh to penetrate the Reading defence on the left. Harris-White and Sweetman all went close but sustained pressure finally paid as Walsh squared it to Thurlow to thunder a long range shot into the top corner and level the game.
Booker returned to defend doggedly and as fitness became a factor it was only a matter of time until Raiders won it. Stacey sealed a fine win with a fierce shot from close range after a long twisting run from Walsh set him free.
Squad
Liam Peachey, Will Young, Sam Booker, Guy Thurlow, Rowan Stacey, Alex Harris-White, James Back, Louis Walsh, Max Sweetman
The Raiders Black squad clearly rested well in the summer months, as they were on fire right from the start of this match. The link play, quick passing and movement tore open the Wokingham defence, with only the post, crossbar and keeper preventing an early breakthrough. It was therefore a surprise to everyone when Wokingham, on their first meaningful attack, created confusion in the Raiders defence and they tapped in a simple goal. The response to such a weak concession was rapid and ruthless. Firstly, Max Sweetman twisted and turned his way past the defence to level. This was quickly followed by two fine individual goals from Rowan Stacey – the first of which was hit from 10 yards outside the box and was blur as it screamed into the top right hand corner. Alex Harris-White, with virtually his first touch after coming on for Stacey, made it 4-1 and the Raiders went into the half time team talk in buoyant mood.
The second half continued in much the same fashion and the Raiders defence quartet of Sam Booker, Will Young, James Back and Guy Thurlow stood firm. The Raiders were dominant and were clearly enjoying their football. Louis Walsh was next to register. His sweeping runs down the wing had troubled Wokingham throughout the game and he deservedly made it five. Although the Raiders were controlling the game, it wasn't entirely one way traffic. Quick reactions and smart saves from Liam Peachey on at least four occasions helped to maintain the healthy scoreline. Louis Walsh unluckily gave away a penalty for handling after trying to stop a ball in the face and Wokingham duly converted the spot kick. Rowan Stacey rounded off a fine display by getting his hatrick and Max Sweetman also deservedly scored his second in the final minute. This was an all-round team performance, with everyone contributing and was a great way for the Raiders to start the season.
Rowan Stacey was awarded MoM for some fine finishing and for his hat-trick.
Squad
Liam Peachey, Will Young, Sam Booker, Guy Thurlow, Rowan Stacey, Alex Harris-White, James Back, Louis Walsh, Max Sweetman
Two teams from Rotherfield Raiders U10s competed in the 6-a-side Woodley Saints tournament on Sunday. Rotherfield Gold reached the semi-final, only to lose on the dreaded penalties, and Rotherfield Black went on to win their division with a 1-0 victory over Oakley Green in the final. Many congratulations to both the Black & Gold teams for the fantastic performances this weekend
Raiders Black recent performances have been disappointing to say the least, but right from the whistle there was a different attitude on show. Rotherfield immediately took control of the game and spent the majority of the first half in the Tigers half with numerous shots and attempts on goal. Max Sweetman was "on fire" today and his hard work and numerous early attempts on goal were finally rewarded in the 8th minute. After confusion amongst the Theale defense, Sweetman pounced on the loose ball and from only a few yards out looped his shot over the stranded keeper. Rotherfield continued the offensive for the remainder of the half, with some superb attacking play and shots on goal from Louis Walsh, Guy Thurlow and Rowan Stacey. The Raiders defense were largely untroubled and easily dealt with Theale's limited forays into the Raiders last third. Liam Peachey in the Raiders goal was a spectator with his first touch of the ball coming with only 3 minutes remaining. The one-nil half-time scoreline did not reflect Rotherfield's dominance of the match.
In the second half Kit Greengrass and Kai Carlisle were on for Louis Walsh and James Back respectively, and the Raiders onslaught continued. They did not have to wait long for next goal, as Guy Thurlow tried almost broke the net with a magnificent close range volley after 2 minutes. One minute later and it was 3-0 as Rowan and Kit broke clear with a neat one-two and Kit hit a fine high shot that the keepers fingertips could not stop. An under pressure Theale became more aggressive and tried to get back into the game with some rough tackles, but the Raiders stood firm. Five minutes later and another fabulous shot by Kit was saved by the keeper, but the ball dropped to Louis Walsh who was in the right place and deservedly tapped in for 4-0. In the dying seconds on the game, James Back scored a brilliant individual goal, breaking from defence and running the length of the field to coolly slot the ball home. As the players left the field, it was great to see the wide smiles back on the Raiders Black faces again!
This was a vastly improved performance from the Raiders, characterized by five superb goals from five different players.
Man of match went to Kit Greengrass for his overall contribution, numerous shots and a fine goal.
Squad
Liam Peachey, Will Young, Kit Greengrass, Guy Thurlow, Rowan Stacey, Kai Carlisle, James Back, Louis Walsh, Max Sweetman