U8
This eagerly anticipated top of the table clash between Rotherfield and Reading Rangers did not disappoint and proved to be a very good advertisement for football at this level.
Despite the freezing conditions, Rotherfield had a red hot start and immediately started to pepper the Rangers goal with shots. Martinez and Jordan were combining well up front and between them conjured up an excellent opening goal. A 'one two' just inside the Rangers half saw Martinez break free and with just the keeper to beat he finished with style from a tight angle.
From here it seemed that Rotherfield would win comfortably as they pushed on and created chance after chance as Atkinson, Martinez and Kemp all went close. With half time looming it seemed that United would have a chance to double their advantage as a Rangers defender clearly handballed in the area but the referee thought differently and Rotherfield's slim lead was all they had to show for a superb first half performance.
The second half was a completely different story with Rangers being able to regroup and start to cause problems for the Rotherfield defence. Floyd and Beville dealt with a succession of corners expertly and although United looked dangerous on the break through the speedy Newbold the pressure began to tell and forced a Rotherfield defender to put into his own net.
This was the classic game of two halves and although Rotherfield just about did enough to win the match it would have seemed harsh on either side to leave with nothing.
The effort award went to Martinez who put in an inspired performance.
Squad
Joseph Beville, Harry Roe, Christian Floyd, Luke Mullin, William Mullin, Pablo Martinez, Thomas Jordan, James Atkinson, Sam Kemp, Freddie Newbold