U9 Vipers
It was raining cats and dogs on Saturday, but this did not affect the quality of football on show as both sides were hungry for a victory. The opening exchanges were promising for both sides, as they were both knocking the ball around with precision and zest.
Although the Vipers seem to be penned in their own half for the first few minutes, they were looking deadly on the break when the opportunity arose. Liam Ruiz was battling well in midfield; he initially lost the ball but used his strength and fought back to win the ball back and laid on a sublime pass to Jack Stevens, who touched the ball onto Morgan Green, who in turn found Kalhan Shah, whose sweeping cross was met by the onrushing Stevens who made no mistake slotting the ball past the Saints' keeper, making the score 1-0; the boys were playing fantasy football.
It seemed as if was as there was a typhoon in Sonning as it continued to lash down with rain and the winds roared. However, the boys continued to dominate the game. Kenny Watson was working hard down the flanks and won a corner, the resulting kick was met by Jack Williams, whose shot just went wide. Green, Stevens and Ruiz continued to knock the ball around well in the middle of the park and after a neat passing interchange between the trio, Green passed a ball onto Stevens, whose shot was this time saved by the keeper.
Saints got themselves back into the game when they broke well and their attacker calmly slotted the ball past Isaac Hylton, who could do nothing to prevent it from going in. Nick Swan was brought into the game and made an immediate impact when a majestic ball from Stevens was met by Swan, whose first touch was to spank the ball home. The score could have been increased when after some great individual play, Marcus Martin's shot beat the Saints keeper and went agonisingly wide. However the score remained 2-1 at half-time.
The second half continued where the first half ended, as the Vipers battled well and Swan, Stevens, Ruiz and Martin were playing some truly outstanding one touch football. The organised Saints team were also knocking the ball around well but Shah & Williams were equal to them in defending the attacks as was Hylton, who was doing well in goal. Saints had another shot well saved by Hylton and the resulting loose ball was cleared by Williams who was also having a great game. The Woodley attacks continued and following more good work, they made the game all square for a second time; 2 -2.
Watson had a great run and cross which was met by Martin, whose shot was parried by the keeper, but after further Saints pressure they got their noses in front, making the score line 2-3. Rotherfield had a final chance when Green was felled by a Saints player on the edge of the box; He got back up to take the resulting free kick which he floated into the path of Williams whose shot went painfully wide and the game ended 2-3.
The whole team played like heroes, stood up to be counted and played their part in this truly entertaining game. Ruiz was award the fair play award after an inspirational display in midfield.
Squad
Isaac Hylton, Kalhan Shah, Jack Williams, Liam Ruiz, Morgan Green, Kenny Watson, Marcus Martin, Nick Swan, Jack Stevens
This week saw the Vipers taking on the previously unbeaten Kennet Valley. From the off, the Vipers were knocking the ball around well all over the park and playing effectively as a unit, although it was a real midfield battle.
However, after a great piece of skill by a Valley player, they got their noses in front. Midfielders Morgan Green, Jack Stevens & Liam Ruiz were working hard to get the Vipers back in the game and it was almost the case when Stevens fed Ruiz, who in turn found Nick Swan, whose shot was comfortably saved by the keeper. Swan had a chance after some good individual skill, but his shot hit the post.
Jack Williams & Kalhan Shah were their normal tough talking selves in defence and were thwarting Valley's attacks when they came. Williams started a move when he battled like a panther for the ball and played a fine pass to Green, who played a perfect ball to Stevens who found Swan, whose shot was pushed narrowly wide by the keeper. The resulting corner from Green was met by a Vipers player, but Rotherfield were unable to make the break-through. Kenny Watson & Marcus Martin were brought on to give the Vipers fresh impetus and were, as the rest of the team, working hard to create an opening, but Valley went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Early in the second half, great build-up play by Watson provided Ruiz with an opportunity from the edge of the box, but his shot was parried by the keeper, and the follow up by Martin was saved.
Williams & Shah were like sponges absorbing everything being thrown at them; tackling hard and giving chase when the opposition broke through. On a couple of occasions, Vipers' keeper Issac Hylton pulled off some truly world class saves, but it did not stop Valley extending their lead to 2-0, after a mix up in defence and a freak ricochet, giving Hylton no chance.
Stevens & Green were still hungry to get the Vipers back into the game, with Stevens hurrying Valley on the ball and working his socks off. Green was also in fine form, showing some good skills, and with his penetration down the flanks he created his own chance which was palmed wide by the keeper; the resulting corner by Green was knocked agonisingly wide by Williams.
After some great work in the middle of the park by Martin & Green, the Vipers were awarded a couple of long distance free kicks, which were taken by Watson, but still no end product was there. The final chance was created when Swan threaded a pass to Stevens, who laid it in to Green who blasted his shot inches wide.
Despite all the desire and great team work, the Vipers could not manage to get any points, as the game finished 2-0.
Morgan Green was awarded the fair play award for an overall great performance.
Squad
Jack Williams, Jack Stevens, Isaac Hylton, Liam Ruiz, Nick Swan, Morgan Green, Kenny Watson, Kalhan Shah, Owen Lowe, Marcus Martin
Saturday was a local derby between two sides who have been evenly matched in the recent past. The game started with some excellent free flowing football between the midfield & striker force quartet of Nick Swan, Morgan Green, Jack Stevens & Liam Ruiz, but from the off it was a real end to end battle royale.
After some dogged determination from Stevens, he subsequently played a great through ball to Swan, whose shot was turned round the sticks by the Trents' keeper. The resulting corner was met by Stevens whose shot was smothered by the keeper.
Jack Williams and Owen Lowe were solid at the back, as was keeper Isaac Hylton, but after a move from the middle of the park was broken down, Trents cut through the Vipers like a knife through butter and broke the deadlock; 1-0.
It wasn't long before the Vipers were on an even keel, when a tremendous ball from Ruiz was latched onto by Green who made no mistake in hammering the ball home; 1-1.
The Vipers still had control in midfield and continued to make chances up front with Ruiz, Swan, Stevens and Green having great shots saved by the keeper, he was having a fantastic game. Transfer window signing Kenny Watson was brought into the game before half time hoping to provide the Vipers with some more ammo up front, he was doing just that and battling well, however at half time Trents went in with a 5 -1 lead.
As usual the Vipers came out in the second half guns a-blazing and had the early running, but they could not stop Trents making their lead 7-1! The Vipers did not let their heads go down and were still battling well, Watson provided Lowe with a cross, which was again well saved by the keeper. Then Ruiz with a touch of wizardry, breezed past the defenders, let rip with his shot with a real pile driver, which the keeper again tipped over the bar!
Following some more good work down the flanks by Stevens, Ruiz & Watson, everyone on the Vipers team was having a shot at goal, Swan & Green had shots cleared off the line, but it wasn't their day, as the Caversham keeper was super human!
Williams and Green were battling ever so hard at the back trying to stop the onslaught and were doing well for now soaking up the Trents' pressure, Kalhan Shah was bought on with around ten minutes to go to freshen things up. But there was not much he could do to prevent the final score reading 9 -1.
Ruiz was given the fair play award for an excellent and committed midfield display. The whole team should be proud of themselves and despite the score line; they never let their heads drop once!
Squad
Jack Williams, Jack Stevens, Isaac Hylton, Liam Ruiz, Nick Swan, Morgan Green, Kenny Watson, Kalhan Shah, Owen Lowe
Goals : Nick Swan 2, Liam Ruiz
It was a foggy morning for this encounter, but there was no excuse as the Vipers seemed to be on their game from the off. The boys were knocking the ball around crisply, with some neat one touch football by all. It was not long before this exciting game had some goal mouth action; after some Morgan Green pressure, the ball fell to Liam Ruiz who slotted the ball to Jack Stevens, whose shot was well saved by the keeper.
Although this was an end to end game the Vipers were retaining the ball well in midfield and pressured when they were not in possesion with good work by Owen Lowe, Marcus Martin, Nick Swan. Kalhan Shah & Jack Williams were in good form again and Shah, for the second week in succession, cleared a ball off the line after an initial good save by Isaac Hylton in between the sticks.
After a Lowe cross which no one could finish off, South Reading broke on the counter attack and took the lead; 1-0. The Vipers tried to make amends before the interval, a one-two from Ruiz to Stevens who then crossed to Green, who had his powerful shot smothered by the defenders.
In the second half the Vipers continued where they left off in the previous half and were dominating the opening exchanges. After some good pressure by Swan, Stevens & Ruiz, Rotherfield had a succession of corners, one of which was met by Martin, who could not force through an opening.
Shortly after some hard graft, Swan had a long range effort which was comfortably saved by the opposing keeper. However against the run of play South Reading knocked in a further two goals making it 3-0. The boys did not let their heads dip and showed some real endeavour; defenders Williams & Shah were really pushing more into the game as the Vipers tried to get something out of it. Shah made a wonderful cross to Swan who could not get enough on it, but the rustling clearance was met by Green and like a raging bull he powered forward and broke through South's defence and smashed the ball home; 3-1.
Within a minute, nimble stevens was quick to latch onto a ball about 25 yards from the goal and let rip with an animal of a shot which gave the keeper no chance; 3-2. The drama did not end there, after Green was felled in the penalty area and was subsequently given a penalty. Stevens powerfully drove his spot kick which the keeper saved and broke the Vipers hearts.
After a truly enthralling game, in which all the players played their part, the fair-play award was given to Stevens for a splendid display.
Squad
Jack Williams, Jack Stevens, Isaac Hylton, Liam Ruiz, Nick Swan, Morgan Green, Marcus Martin, Kalhan Shah, Owen Lowe
The day was awash with glorious sunshine and the match did not fail to live up to the fans expectations. The Vipers played throughout the first half with some crisp passing and dogged determination and were looking to make up for last week's opening day defeat.
Jack Stevens was bursting with energy and it wasn't long before he smashed a shot which the keeper did well to save. This was followed swiftly by Nick Swan who pounded in another shot which the keeper managed to gather in and shortly after, Liam Ruiz provided a cross which Swan hit with power, but the keeper yet again smothered the ball. Wokingham slowly edged into the game and it was turning into a real pulsating encounter as both sides had opportunities to break the deadlock.
Jack Williams, Morgan Green and Kalhan Shah were dominating in defence and Wokingham were going to need to do something special to break through this rock solid barrier. Williams was proving to be a real menace to Wokingham, he powered down the wing like a lion, he crossed the ball perfectly, which was met by Ruiz who could not get enough on the ball to steer it into the net, a similar ball by Swan was met by Ruiz with the same outcome.
Stevens was also having a fine game, any loose ball was his to command. Owen Lowe & Green were also working hard as was Marcus Martin, who was knocking the ball nicely and linking up well in midfield and up front. It was not long before the halftime whistle when a corner from Stevens was met by the head of Lowe and just fizzed wide. On the counter attack, Wokingham looked like they would go into the break with a lead; when their striker shot, Vipers keeper Isaac Hylton parried the ball, there was a resulting goal line scramble, but like a rainbow Shah popped out of nowhere and smashed the ball clear, keeping the score 0-0 at half-time.
Rotherfield made a bright start in the second half and kept the ball flowing around nicely. Hylton produced the goods again making a terrific save from the opposing striker yet again. After some more dogged play from the Vipers they were awarded a free kick when Martin was felled about 20 yards from goal. Stevens was on hand to take the free kick, he struck the ball which flew like a rocket clipping a defender's head who could do nothing to stop this pile-driver from ending up in the top of the net; 1-0.
The Vipers had chances to extend their lead, they were playing a great passing game which they should be proud of, however, there was to be a sting in the tail of this game, as Wokingham's own hard work gave them an equaliser with about 5 minutes to go after another goal line scramble.
In the dying minutes, Martin turned the defender on a sixpence and was felled again, giving Rotherfield another a free kick. This time Green floated the ball just over the bar and the referee blew his whistle, thus ending this pulsating encounter.
The boys should all be proud of themselves for a fantastic footballing display, Jack Williams was awarded the fair play award for having a superb game.
Squad
Jack Williams, Jack Stevens, Isaac Hylton, Liam Ruiz, Nick Swan, Morgan Green, Marcus Martin, Kalhan Shah, Owen Lowe
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