U8
The first ever game for the new Rotherfield U8’s ended in a hard fought draw between probably two of the strongest teams in the Hick’s development league.
Rotherfield in their previous friendly matches have been used to steam rolling teams and winning fairly comfortably, but against a strong and very well organised Rangers team this was never going to be the case.
In fact it was Rangers who started by far the quicker and for the first 10 minutes they looked by far the most likely to score.This seemed to shake Rotherfield out of their slumber and gradually they started to mount counter attacks down both flanks with Roe and Atkinson both causing the Rangers defence plenty of problems. It was from one such foray that Atkinson found Newbold who saw his shot rebound of the post. With half time approaching both teams looked dangerous and it was only a supreme effort and dogged defending by Floyd and Beville that kept the scores level. Both teams were happy to hear the first half whistle to draw their breath and to regroup for the last 20 minutes.
The second half was a far more one sided affair with Rotherfield camped in the Rangers half searching for the elusive winner. The influence of Martinez became greater as he drove the team on and he could well have scored the winner himself but for a fine save from the outstanding Rangers keeper.
Rotherfield continued to create chances with second half sub William Mullin and wing wizard Atkinson both going close. With the match drawing to an exciting close both teams were close to exhaustion like two heavyweight boxers going toe to toe. Just as the players had seemed to settle for a draw a loose ball was picked up by a Rangers striker who found himself one on one with Luke Mullin in the Rotherfield goal, a full length save turning the ball round the post saw a travesty of justice averted.
This clash of the Titans ended all square and gave Rotherfield a good workout for the forthcoming season. It would only seem fair to award eight effort medals but there could only be one that went to the exemplary Atkinson
Squad
L. Mullin, Beville, Floyd, Roe, Atkinson, Martinez, Newbold, W. Mullin