U11 Gold
Having unluckily dropped points last week, Gold needed a good start but after a nervous opening they fell behind to a well-worked Goring goal.
However this set back acted to motivate Raiders who stormed back with a near miss from Kit Greengrass and a poachers goal from Chris Miller after the keeper had parried a shot from Ben Peirson-Hagger. Playing good attacking football it seemed as though Raiders would press home their advantage but after fine saves by keeper Jake Hylton, Goring again took the lead.
To their credit Raiders Gold continued to play with attacking flair and the excellent Greengrass equalised after a run on goal and soon after Peirson-Hagger scored from close range. Raiders then scored the goal of the game with Greengrass converting a beautifully weighted pass from Matty Chapman who then expertly tucked away their fifth after fine work by Peirson-Hagger.
The second half became somewhat of a stalemate and although Goring added a third, Danny Dockree and Kai Carlisle ensured that the Raiders defence remained strong whilst Sam Street tested the Goring keeper on a number of occasions.
For his superb all round performance, Matty Chapman received the fair play award.
Squad
Matthew Chapman, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Chris Miller, Kai Carlise, Sam Street, Kit Greengrass, Jake Hylton, Danny Dockree
Raiders were very unlucky to lose this hard fought game played in very difficult wet and windy conditions.
They started much the stronger and Chris Miller was an immediate threat with his strong direct running and Kit Greengrass was unlucky with a chance which was cleared off the line.
In defence Archie McGowan was immense and with his partner Kai Carlisle they reduced Wrightchoice to long range shooting although one such effort had to be kept out by an acrobatic one handed save from Jake Hylton.
It looked as though Raiders best chance of scoring would come from a dead ball situation especially with the accurate delivery of Josh Gay but the Wrightchoice defence always managed to scramble the ball clear.
Ben Peirson-Hagger and Matty Chapman came on at half time with the former joining the skillful Sam Street in attack; Danny Dockree replaced Hylton in goal.
The first goal was always going to be important and so it proved. After their opponents scored Raiders had to chase the game and although they fought strongly a couple of breakaway goals finished the contest.
Archie McGowan deservedly won the fair player award.
Squad
Matthew Chapman, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Josh Gay, Chris Miller, Kai Carlise, Sam Street, Kit Greengrass, Archie McGowan, Jake Hylton, Danny Dockree
After dropping points in the last two games Raiders needed to get back to winning ways and this hard fought victory will help to rebuild confidence.
Raiders defensive pairing of Matty Chapman and Kai Carlisle were called into action in the opening minutes and Raiders rode their luck when the cross bar was rattled during a swift Hammers attack.
Each side had chances before the excellent Sam Street found Kit Greengrass in the Hammer's box and he slotted home from close range.
Not at all disheartened by this set back Hammers came back at Raiders and but for a clearance off his line by Josh Gay and a great save by stand in keeper Archie McGowan, they would have drawn level.
However just before the interval Gay swung in a perfect corner and at the second time of asking Chris Miller bundled the ball into the net.
Shortly after the break a melee in the Hammers area ended with Gay thumping Raiders further ahead although this advantage was short lived as Hammers hit back not once but twice.
However any nervousness was finally put to rest when the tireless running of Street created a defensive error and he found the bottom corner of the Hammers net.
For his fine all round display Kit Greengrass won the fair player award.
Squad
Matthew Chapman, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Josh Gay, Chris Miller, Kai Carlise, Sam Street, Kit Greengrass, Archie McGowan
Every team comes up against opposition containing a player of outstanding individual quality and this was the case on Saturday for Rotherfield; the Blues keeper was superb throughout.
Gold made a bright start with Ben Peirson- Hagger raiding down the left , Josh Gay bossing the midfield and Matty Chapman bright in defence.
Unfortunately a momentary lapse of concentration let Maidenhead in for their first and this was quickly followed by a second.
Thereafter Rotherfield increased their efforts but came up against a keeper in fine form. Saves from Kit Greengrass and Chris Miller retained Maidenhead's lead and but for a super save by Jake Hylton, Gold could have been three nil down at half time.
The introduction of Sam Street after the interval gave Rotherfield greater urgency and a fine ball by Miller allowed the excellent Peirson-Hagger to pull a goal back.
It looked as though Rotherfield were going to salvage something from the game but after a series of brave blocks and a scintillating one handed save from their keeper, Blues killed off the game with a third goal.
Good defending by Kai Carlisle and Danny Dockree kept the score respectable and Peirson-Hagger deservedly won the fair player award.
Squad
Matthew Chapman, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Josh Gay, Chris Miller, Kai Carlise, Sam Street, Jake Hylton, Danny Dockree, Kit Greengrass
This was Raiders most difficult game of the season as they came up against strong determined opponents and they quickly found themselves a goal down after failing to deal with a long ball.
Spurred on to greater effort the equaliser came when the dangerous Ben Peirson-Hagger volleyed in at the far post after outstanding approach work by Sam Street.
Josh Gay then brought about an unbelievable one handed save from Tiger's keeper before excellent vision by Street set up Chris Miller to shoot hard into the corner.
Notwithstanding strong defensive work by Archie McGowan and Matty Chapman and acrobatic goalkeeping by Jake Hylton, a powerfully driven shot leveled the score just before half time.
The elegant Kai Carlisle, on for McGowan, gave Raiders the extra boost in the second half and they again went in front when Street ran onto a through ball and finished with aplomb.
Raiders were unlucky, on numerous occasions, not to increase their lead as Peirson-Hagger continually caused havoc down the left hand side. However, they paid the price when a low effort found it's way past Hylton for the Tiger's equaliser.
Josh Gay won the fair play award for his fine all round display.
Squad
Matthew Chapman, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Josh Gay, Chris Miller, Jake Hylton, Kai Carlise, Sam Street, Archie McGowan
A scintillating hat trick by Chris Miller, following last week's goal, set the scene for another fine Rotherfield victory.
The scoring was confidently started by Ben Peirson-Hagger which was soon followed by Millers first from an acute angle.
Tornadoes got back into the game and it was only due to excellent goal keeping by Danny Dockree, great defending by Archie McGowan and the bar, that stopped them drawing level.
Kit Greengrass then set Miller up for his second and then got on the score sheet himself with a fine left foot volley following good approach work by Sam Street.
Greengrass slammed in his second and in between time Matty Chapman linked attack and defense with strong tackling and running.
Josh Gay and Kai Carlisle came on after half time to add fresh legs to the Rotherfield cause.
Tornadoes scored next when a low shot evaded the Rotherfield keeper but Miller quickly responded by finishing off his hat trick in clinical fashion.
The lively Ben Peirson-Hagger completed another fine move by curling a shot within the far post and then set up Chapman to tap in and complete the scoring.
The strong defensive display by Archie McGowan won him the fair play award.
Squad
Matthew Chapman, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Josh Gay, Kit Greengrass, Chris Miller, Danny Dockree, Kai Carlise, Sam Street, Archie McGowan