U12 Gold
Rotherfield missed the chance to finish in second place after they were beaten by a strong and skilful Goring side.
Under warm sunshine Gold never led the match and although several equalisers gave them hope, the ability to push on and win the game eluded them.
In goal Jake Hylton gave his best as he has done all season and again the defence was superbly marshalled by man of the match Archie McGowan.
Danny Dockree was as enthusiastic as ever and Josh Gay was a constant danger to Goring.
Matty Chapman has become the player of many positions and finished the season with a fine double strike.
Chris Miller, the engine of the team, never stopped running and the skilful wing play of Ben Peirson-Hagger was, as has been throughout the season, a particular highlight.
Kit Greengrass, top scorer for the season, and Sam Street have scored some wonderful goals this year but unfortunately that one little bit of magic just deserted them on Saturday.
Ensuring that the team have played with determination, skill and for fun, coaches Jason and Andy deserve huge credit and a big thanks from all the parents.
Squad
Matthew Chapman, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Josh Gay, Kit Greengrass, Jake Hylton, Archie McGowan, Danny Dockree, Chris Miller, Sam Street
Raiders started the stronger with Chris Miller going close after good work from Ben Peirson-Hagger and the early pressure resulting in a number of corners which Wrightchoice struggled to clear.
Gold were determined not to let their skilful opponents settle on the ball and particularly successful with this tactic was Matty Chapman who constantly harried the Wrightchoice back line into errors and on one such occasion Josh Gay just missed the target with a well executed volley.
When the Gold defence was put under pressure keeper Jake Hylton was assured in goal and Archie McGowan and Kai Carlisle defended with skill and purpose.
Just before half time Gold got the goal their play deserved. Ben Peirson-Hagger took on several defenders, beat them for shear pace and floated a superb chip into the far corner giving the keeper no chance.
At the beginning of the second half Gold had their opponents on the ropes and with a little more luck they would have killed the game off.
However Wrightchoice are worthy league leaders and several of their fine individual players scored late goals to steal a deserved victory away from Gold.
Man of the match was Kai Carlisle for his superb defensive display.
Squad
Matthew Chapman, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Josh Gay, Jake Hylton, Archie McGowan, Kai Carlisle, Chris Miller,
Unlike last week, Rotherfield started this important game brightly with Josh Gay dangerous at set pieces and Chris Miller his usual industrious self. And it was Gold who deservedly took the lead after an electric run and inch perfect pass, Ben Peirson-Hagger gave Kit Greengrass the chance to lash an unstoppable shot past the Blues keeper.
Usually from such starts Gold go on to dominate and win matches but Maidenhead fought back strongly and but for good goalkeeping by Jake Hylton and stout defending by Matty Chapman and Archie McGowan they would have equalised earlier. As it was they scored a good goal just before half time.
The introduction of Sam Street after the interval invigorated Gold and chances were created, but good goalkeeping in particular, ensured that the scores remained level.
Unfortunately it was Maidenhead who scored the decisive goal albeit in rather untidy fashion. However such is the spirit in the Gold team that they pressed forward for an equaliser driven on by the excellent defending of Kai Carlisle and midfield play of Danny Dockree and Josh Gay; but all to no avail.
For his dangerous running and overall contribution, the man of the match award went to Ben Peirson-Hagger.
Squad
Matthew Chapman, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Josh Gay, Kit Greengrass, Jake Hylton, Archie McGowan, Kai Carlisle, Danny Dockree, Chris Miller, Sam Street
Having conceded a goal within seconds of the start and an unfortunate second only a few minutes after, Gold were always going to struggle to get back into the match against determined and skilful opponents.
However they fought back strongly with Josh Gay prominent and but from some uncharacteristically wayward finishing Raiders would have gone in all square at half time. Usually Ben Peirson-Hagger, Matty Chapman and Kit Greengrass would bury goal scoring chances with aplomb but the rustiness brought about by the lack of games since Christmas resulted in a series of misses.
However the defence consisting of Archie McGowan and Kai Carlisle remained strong and keeper Jake Hylton was on hand to make a number of important blocking saves.
Three nil down at half time soon became four but Raiders Gold were determined not to give up and superb goals by Greengrass and Miller bought some respectability.
Unfortunately the effort was to late to save the game but Chapman deservedly won man of the match; a good send off for his coach and Dad who is off to do a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the best wishes of everybody involved with the club.
Squad
Matthew Chapman, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Josh Gay, Kit Greengrass, Jake Hylton, Archie McGowan, Kai Carlisle
The freezing weather and because it was Raiders first game since well before Christmas, explained their sluggish start to the game and had it not been for the agility of Jake Hylton in goal, Stripes would have taken a deserved lead.
As it was, picking up a short goal kick, Chris Miller powered into the opposition box and slammed the ball home to put Raiders in front.
Although the unfortunate Archie McGowan had to give way to Kai Carlisle after picking up a knock, the change did not disrupt Raiders who went two ahead when Miller scored his second off the legs of a defender.
In the second half Raiders were more assured, given the two goal cushion, and after some fine play by Kit Greengrass a parried shot from Matty Chapman was forced home by Ben Peirson-Hagger. By now Josh Gay was running midfield for Raiders and Peirson-Hagger completed a fine hat trick with some cool finishing but not before Chapman deservedly got himself onto the score sheet after a determined run.
The defence, with Danny Dockree outstanding, helped man of the match, Hylton, keep a clean sheet for Gold.
Squad
Matthew Chapman, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Josh Gay, Chris Miller, Kit Greengrass, Jake Hylton, Danny Dockree, Archie McGowan, Kai Carlisle
Following his four goals last week, Kit Greengrass scored another four to keep Gold in the hunt for top spot.
His first two came from corners swung in by Josh Gay and as the Burghfield defence failed to clear Greengrass was on hand to finish expertly.
Throughout the rest of the first half, Gold continued to create chances and hit the woodwork twice through Ben Peirson-Hagger and Sam Street.
The introduction of Chris Miller for the second half had an immediate effect; he set Greengrass up for his third following a fine run and scored himself after a defender failed to clear.
Keeper, Jake Hylton, was called into action saving well at the feet of an on-rushing forward and the Gold defence, well marshalled by Archie McGowan and Kai Carlisle, had to remain alert as Burghfield fought to get back into the game. However it was all over as a contest once Peirson-Hagger set Greengrass up for his fourth and Miller had scored an excellent solo effort.
Sufficient time was left for Gay to convert a penalty he won himself and the faultless defensive display by Kai Carlisle deservedly won him the fair player award.
Squad
Matthew Chapman, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Josh Gay, Chris Miller, Sam Street, Kit Greengrass, Jake Hylton, Archie McGowan, Kai Carlisle