U9 Vipers
Rotherfield extended their unbeaten start to the season to seven games this week, but they had to do it by coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against a strong South Reading side.
South Reading made the better start to the game and had Rotherfield penned in to their own half for the opening stages. The defensive quartet of Isaac Hylton, Kalhan Shah, Owen Lowe and Jack Williams defended admirably, with their opponents going close on a number of occasions including a fine header from a corner which just sailed over the crossbar.
As the half wore on, United began to find their rhythm and started to look dangerous going forward. Good work from Jack Stevens and Morgan Green carved out several shooting opportunities for Adam Fearnside but his efforts were just wide of the target.
Five minutes after the half-time interval, South Reading broke the deadlock when their forward slotted the ball past Hylton from close range. United found themselves a goal behind for the first time this season but within minutes responded in the best way possible by grabbing an equaliser; Liam Ruiz and Jack Stevens combined to play in Nick Swan who ran in on goal and blasted the ball past the advancing 'keeper.
With five minutes to go, Rotherfield managed to edge ahead when a Fearnside shot was well saved by the South Reading goalie but Swan was on hand for the second time to fire in a resounding strike.
Just when it seemed that United had done enough to secure the win, the ball fell to the South Reading centre-forward who struck a glorious shot from distance which flew into the Rotherfield goal and levelled the scores. In the closing minutes both sides strived to find the winner and a couple of late corners for South Reading led to a nervy finish, but when the whistle blew it remained 2-2.
The effort award was given to Nick Swan for an influencial attacking midfield display.
Photos (thanks Tom & Dave)
Squad
Isaac Hylton, Jack Williams, Kalhan Shah, Liam Ruiz, Adam Fearnside, Owen Lowe, Nick Swan, Morgan Green, Jack Stevens