U12 Black
Winners of the U11s Division One 2008/09 season are Rotherfield Raiders Black. The title was clinched at the last nail biting game of the season against Wokingham and Emmbrook. Certainly not the easiest of games, Rotherfield had to win the match to claim the prestigious title and, with 2 minutes to go, the score was 2-2 until a fantastic goal from Louis Walsh sealed the win.
Throughout the season the Raiders Black played 14 league matches, winning 12 and only losing twice and scored 55 league goals.
Trevor Back, manager of the squad, was delighted to win the league and praised his team's commitment, dedication and enthusiasm throughout the season. Thanks must also go to the sponsors IronPort and SolidWorks who have financed new kit and assisted with the winter training costs.
Rotherfield Raiders Gold played in Division Two and gained a handsome 3rd position in the league. Thanks also to assistant coaches Phil Sweetman, Jason Gay , Andy Chapman and Aidan Carlisle.
Squad
James Back, Alex Harris-White, Liam Peachey, Rowan Stacey, Guy Thurlow, Louis Walsh, Will Young, Sam Booker, Max Sweetman
Only a win would take the league title for Raiders and it was clear Wokingham had no intention of making this easy. Fine interplay between Stacey and Walsh and probing runs from Booker yielded chances but Raiders couldn't convert as tension played its part.
Young was cool in defence with some beautifully timed interventions and Back in determined mood. In goal Peachey unveiled his "A-game" with some dazzling saves and a goalmouth "juggle" that had hearts stopping. Sweetman's drive cleared the bar as goals went begging at both ends.
In the 2nd half both teams came out intent to break the deadlock and after 5 minutes the ball popped up and Wokingham slammed it home to open scoring.
Raiders response was swift with a Harris-White touching the ball home to level and after sustained pressure, Walsh got the ball on the edge of the box and a low strike fizzed into the bottom corner to Raiders celebrate an apparent victory.
Thurlow replaced an injured Sweetman in midfield and his battling runs with Back and the duo upfront saw Raiders turn up the heat. But Raiders bubble was burst when a powerful shot into the top corner made it 2 apiece. But Raiders showed the resilience that has characterised their season and with under 2 minutes Walsh re-executed his drive to make it 3-2.
Stacey's deft chip hit the bar and it was relief all round as the game ended. The effort award was always heading to one of Raider's defensive trio but it was Back's tireless running and 500% commitment that earnt him the Award.
Squad
James Back, Alex Harris-White, Liam Peachey, Rowan Stacey, Guy Thurlow, Louis Walsh, Will Young, Sam Booker, Max Sweetman
This was an important match for the Raiders. A win would keep them in the hunt for the top spot in the winter league.
It was a sleepy start for the Raiders and Woodley Saints, with one player down for the first few minutes, started the stronger.
There were moments of good play from Guy Thurlow, Louis Walsh and Rowan Stacey passed thoughtfully and there was some strong crossing and linking.
But play was generally slow and Woodley ended the half the stronger team. Some superb saves by goalkeeper Liam Peachey kept the score at 0-0 at half time.
The Raiders began the second half more decisively. Good ball skills from Stacey saw him run past three Woodley players and, with a strike that hit the bar, the ball crossed the Woodley goal line.
The Raiders continued to put pressure on Woodley throughout the second half. James Back and Thurlow played balls through to the forwards and Max was busy on the right wing. But Woodley were strong in defence and put a lot of players behind the ball. Alex Harris-White hit the cross bar mid-way through the half and finally got the second goal for the Raiders with a great shot.
This was followed by a period of Woodley pressure. Will Young and Back were tight in defence. The game ended with another good move from Raiders, Young playing a ball through to Stacey who struck the ball into the back of the Woodley net from the tightest of angles.
Squad
James Back, Alex Harris-White, Liam Peachey, Rowan Stacey, Guy Thurlow, Louis Walsh, Will Young
Blacks could have won this attractive and open game of football against skilful opponents if the finishing had matched a lot of the excellent approach play.
In particular the link play between Archie McGowan and Guy Thurlow in defence and Raiders midfield where Max Sweetman excelled, was at times superb. In the wide areas, where Sam Booker and Ben Peirson-Hagger always had the beating of their full backs, Raiders dominated but with no reward.
During the first half Sweetman and Chris Miller both went close to scoring although it was mainly due to a series of classy saves by Liam Peachy in the Raiders goal, that the game was scoreless at half time.
The second half was much like the first with Will Young and Matty Chapman driving Raiders forward and they came closest to scoring when Miller was denied by a last ditch tackle.
Although they were unfortunate to go behind Raiders fought back strongly with Thurlow and Chapman battling hard but inevitably the second goal was conceded following a swift counter attack.
Man of the match, Sweetman scored with a superb free kick but it was too late and Raiders can consider themselves unlucky to lose an exciting game to which they contributed magnificently.
Squad
Liam Peachey, Sam Booker, Will Young, Guy Thurlow, Max Sweetman, Matthew Chapman, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Chris Miller, Archie McGowan
Both teams started brightly and it was clear this would be a competitive game and after 5 minutes Sweetman went off after a stern challenge. A slick move saw Walsh's effort just clear the bar. A scrappy battling run from Thurlow ended in agony as his effort slid past the post. The keeper parried from Back and moments later relief was palpable as a fierce shot by Woodley grazed the crossbar.
In the dying moments of the 1st half Walsh set Back free on the left and rounding the goalie teed up Stacey with an empty goal; one - nil.
In the second half Stacey's clever glance nearly scored and three further efforts were denied. Sweetman and Harris White looked lively in midfield and Booker looked steadfast at the back alongside Young who gave one of his best performances showing vision and timing to foil anything that came his way.
Fitness was again a factor as breaks from Stacey, Thurlow and Sweetman all looked likely to provide a second indeed a massive clearance by keeper Peachey saw Sweetman hit the side netting. Relief finally came when Stacey pounced on a half volley kick from Peachey , cutting in from the wing and a deft finish left Hammers shell shocked.
In spite of a composed save denying Stacey his hat-trick, his 2nd half performance earned him the Effort award.
Squad
Liam Peachey, Will Young, Guy Thurlow, Rowan Stacey, Alex Harris-White, James Back, Louis Walsh, Max Sweetman, Sam Booker
Revenge for Caversham Kites after a thrilling top of the table clash between Raiders first and Kites Second. The first half was very tight with Raiders taking a one lead from a clever Sweetman lob, which Harris-White bundled over the line. This was only after Kites earned a penalty with a fine Peachey penalty save continuing his excellent form this season. Raiders seemed assured in the first half with Young and Booker strong in defence and assured midfield performances from Thurlow and Back. Harris-White, Sweetman, Stacey and Walsh all put in strong attacking displays with Walsh going close with a powerful left foot shot just over the bar.
The game seemed all but won with a fine individual goal from Harris-White at the start of the second half, picking the ball up on the halfway line and cutting inside from the wing to slide passed the flying Kites keeper.
Kites didn't give up and Raiders were stunned by an unfortunate deflected shot passed Peachey. The shock continued when Kites equalised after a loose ball was not cleared from defence. A similar Kites goal followed and suddenly Raiders were 3-2 down. A draw seemed inevitable after Raiders rallied with fine inter passing and dribbling between Walsh & Stacey, with Stacey finishing with aplomb. However Raiders pressed on for the win and Kites scored two more break away goals.
Alex Harris-White received MoM for a fine individual goal. A fine run of winning every game this season by Raiders ended, with a game of real quality.
Squad
Liam Peachey, Sam Booker, Will Young, Guy Thurlow, Rowan Stacey, Alex Harris-White, James Back (capt), Louis Walsh, Max Sweetman
Rotherfield Raiders unstinting pressure against Whitchurch AFC paid off with a 4-0 victory in the BYD League. From the kick-off Raiders launched a series of forays at the opposition with an early strike, the first of many to come, from Max Sweetman hitting the upright. What followed was an excellent game of football with good spirit being displayed by both teams.
Early in the game Alex Harris-White clinically dispatched a penalty after a handball, to make it 1-0. Midfield play dominated by James Back and later Guy Thurlow fed the front to allow Rowan Stacey to score the second goal in some style. Louis Walsh's lightening strikes down the left gave him the opportunity to curve one past the keeper from a seemingly impossible angle that equally surprised the opposition and some of the Raider's supporters.
When the pressure was returned, Will Young showed relentless skill and determination in defence. His work together with Sam Booker kept the Raider's clean sheet running. Time was closing and the weary Whitchurch team tested Liam Peachy's concentration with a snap attack and long range shot but he was alert to the move. In the dying moments, Rowan set off on a silky individual run down the middle to seal the victory with his second; the team's fourth. MOM award was a difficult choice with so many notable performances, but Max Sweetman was the choice for his notable number of strikes on target. Some credit has to go to Whitchurch's goalie for a fine performance.
Squad
Liam Peachey, Sam Booker, Will Young, Guy Thurlow, Rowan Stacey, Alex Harris-White, James Back, Louis Walsh, Max Sweetman