U9 Vipers
Rotherfield drew their second game in two weeks, despite having built a two goal lead against Woodley Saints.
The first half was an evenly contested affair with Saints probably having the better of the chances; fortunately for the Vipers, goalkeeper Isaac Hylton was in top form and made a number of saves to keep the scores level. The defensive pairing of Kalhan Shah and Jack Williams was again proving tough to break down but Rotherfield were finding it difficult to create any good opportunities of their own, despite tireless work from Owen Lowe and Liam Ruiz in midfield.
After the break, Woodley could easily have taken the lead when one of their players found himself clean through with only the keeper to beat, but Hylton was again equal to the task throwing himself bravely at the attacker's feet to deny him.
It was the Vipers who broke the deadlock when Adam Fearnside finally found space away from his man-marker, made a characteristic run down the right wing and then cut inside to play a ball past the advancing 'keeper for Nick Swan to knock it in. Swan was then a fraction away from adding a second when he hit the base of the post, but minutes later he did grab his twentieth of the season after a fine pass from Jack Stevens.
At the other end, Saints were still pressuring and only a last-ditch tackle from defender Morgan Green prevented them getting a goal back. Rotherfield's goalscorer Swan almost added a third with a well-taken free-kick which was matched by an equally good save. With ten minutes to go, Woodley got themselves back in the game when the ball was forced in from a goalmouth scramble. Minutes later they were awarded a free-kick outside the box which was beautifully flighted over the Rotherfield wall into the roof of the net for the equaliser. The final stages of the game were a nervy affair, but the match finished 2-2.
The effort award was given to Isaac Hylton for a sterling performance in the Vipers goal.
Photos
Squad
Isaac Hylton, Jack Williams, Kalhan Shah, Morgan Green, Nick Swan, Owen Lowe, Liam Ruiz, Adam Fearnside, Jack Stevens