U9
The opening fixture of the 2008-2009 season pitched last years first and second against each other, in a game that could shape the rest of the season.
In training Rotherfield had been concentrating on one touch passing all week, but it was not to be that sort of a game as both teams battled to dominate the midfield. Although Westwood had the best of the early exchanges Martinez, Kemp and Jordan started to win the battle and started to feed lone striker Newbold with the sort of passes he thrives on.
At the other end Westwood were still looking dangerous but the exemplary defence of Beville and Floyd continually broke down their attacks and anything that got past them was dealt with by "Cool hand Luke" in the Rotherfield goal.
William Mullin came on at the start of the second half to shore up the defence and James Atkinson to add a new attacking dimension down the right flank. This quickly paid dividends as Atkinson continually beat his full back and then fed Martinez whose deflected shot beat the keeper to give Rotherfield the lead. With this the Westwood heads seemed to go down and Rotherfield looked as if they would increase their lead but for some heroics from the Wanderers keeper.
A superb all round performance against a very good Westwood side bodes well for the rest of the season and if United can keep up this level of effort and commitment they can look forward to another successful campaign.
The effort award went to Beville for an all action performance.
Squad
Floyd, Jordan, Beville, Kemp, Luke Mullin, William Mullin, Atkinson, Newbold, Martinez
Rotherfield recorded another impressive win against a strong Woodley team that had recorded some impressive results in recent weeks.
The first half was a very competitive affair with both sides having a similar share of possession and forcing a succession of corners. However after a couple of good chances Newbold finally broke the deadlock for Rotherfield after some sterling work from Kemp down the left flank. Despite one or two scares United held their slender advantage until the break.
The second half was altogether a more one-sided affair with Rotherfield pouring forward in numbers and laying siege to the Saints goal. It was only a matter of time before the lead was doubled and it was no surprise when Kemp fired home after picking up a loose ball on the edge of the area.
It was one-way traffic now with Saints defence intent on damage limitation but unable to stop Roe who fired home from a well-worked corner. It was left to Martinez to complete the scoring, after dribbling past two defenders he saw his shot well saved by the keeper only for him to follow up and get his reward.
The effort award went to Floyd who proved his versatility by giving an accomplished performance at centre back, midfield and left wing.
Squad
Christian Floyd, Joseph Beville, Freddie Newbold, Harry Roe, Luke Mullin, William Mullin, James Atkinson, Pablo Martinez, Thomas Jordan, Sam Kemp
The unbeaten Rotherfield returned from the Christmas break with a fixture against their local rivals Caversham Trents. Although these are normally highly competitive matches Rotherfield had run out convincing winners in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season. This time though it was to be a much closer game with Trents determined to avenge the earlier defeat.
The early exchanges were pretty even with Rotherfield playing down the slope and although enjoying the lion's share of possession, not really threatening the Trent's goal. That was to change when a speculative Martinez shot from distance squirmed through the keeper to give Rotherfield the early advantage. The remainder of the first half continued in the same fashion with both midfields cancelling themselves out, leading to few chances for either team.
After the break Rotherfield made a few tactical changes with Martinez leading the line and Jordan playing just behind him. For a while this seemed to work and a free flowing move involving Beville and Kemp led to a chance for Atkinson, which he duly accepted.
However instead of this lead spurring on Rotherfield it seemed to have the opposite effect and by sitting back gave the advantage to their opponents. It was no surprise when a period of Trent's pressure led to a goal despite the despairing dive of Newbold. With five minutes to go Trent's were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, but with the wall standing firm the ball flew past the outside of the far post. A valiant rearguard action from Mullin and Beville saw Rotherfield home and the record remained in tact despite an almighty scare.
The effort award went to Beville who kept battling in the face of a ferocious onslaught.
Squad
Harry Roe, Joseph Beville, Freddie Newbold, Christian Floyd, Sam Kemp, Pablo Martinez, Luke Mullin, William Mullin, Thomas Jordan, James Atkinson
The unbeaten Rotherfield faced a stern test against a rampant Wrightchoice side that had won all of their games this season.
The opening exchanges were fairly even with both teams playing free flowing attacking football, but as has been proved all season the Rotherfield defence is a hard nut to crack.
Newbold and Kemp both went close for United before a cross from Roe was handled in the area by a Wrightchoice defender and Martinez made no mistake from the spot.
The lead was doubled just before half time when a good passing move involving Jordan and Atkinson led to a pinpoint cross, which Kemp finished with style.
The half time break came at a good time for Wrightchoice as it allowed them to regroup and they started to exert sustained pressure on the Rotherfield goal. As always Mullin and Beville were up to the task repelling corner after corner and clearing their lines as Wrightchoice continued to chase that elusive goal.
This gung ho attacking policy did leave Wrightchoice vulnerable at the back and it was no great surprise when Martinez picked the ball up on the half way line and ran unchallenged to score past an unprotected keeper.
All in all a good work out for Rotherfield who can now forget the rigours of the league until after Christmas and feel very satisfied with an unbeaten eleven game run.
The effort award went to the midfield dynamo Thomas Jordan.
Squad
Christian Floyd, Pablo Martinez, Thomas Jordan, Harry Roe, James Atkinson, Luke Mullin, William Mullin, Freddie Newbold, Joseph Beville, Sam Kemp
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
Rotherfield continued their winning streak in the Hicks Development League with a strong team performance on Saturday. Rotherfield were quickly out of the blocks with Kemp opening the scoring within the first five minutes from a wonderful free kick.
Meadway dominated the game for the next five minutes and pressurised Rotherfield but were unable to convert any of their chances thanks to an outstanding performance by the Rotherfield defenders Joseph Beville, Christian Floyd and William Mullin.
Newbold made life more comfortable for his team when he scored the second goal for rotherfield. A long pass by Thomas Jordan found Freddie Newbold in space and he arrowed the ball in the net.
Jordan scored the third goal only two minutes later with a fantastic individual effort passing two opponents and planting the ball in the goal.
Luke Mullin and James Atkinson terrorised the Meadway defence with their powerful runs down the wings and they were unlucky not to score.
The second half was dominated by Rotherfield from beginning to end. Pablo Martinez coming off the bench started to have more influence in the game creating several chances for his team-mates. First Newbold and then Kemp converted two of these chances to give Rotherfield a final 5-0 victory. The effort award went to William Mullin for a solid performance in defence.