U9 Vipers
Rotherfield extended their winning start to their division one campaign with a 4-2 victory over Pangbourne Youth.
United started the game brightly, with midfielders Liam Ruiz and Morgan Green at the heart of some good passing moves. The opening came mid-way through the half when Ruiz broke through the Pangbourne defense and played in Adam Fearnside who deftly chipped the ball over the advancing 'keeper into the open goal. A few minutes later Ruiz himself fired in his twelfth of the season to put Rotherfield 2-0 ahead. Owen Lowe almost added a third with a shot that just grazed the far post, and with Kalhan Shah and Isaac Hylton barely troubled at the back, United were looking comfortable. Just as half-time approached however, Pangbourne hit back on the counter-attack and grabbed a goal of their own to get right back in the game.
After the break, Pangbourne had renewed confidence and within a few minutes grabbed an equaliser following a great strike from outside the box. United piled on the pressure but the Pangbourne 'keeper was having an inspired performance, making save after save. Eventually, it was midfielder Jack Stevens who carved out United's third with a tricky run to the by-line down the right wing where his cross found Nick Swan in the middle who made no mistake, firing in his thirteenth of the season.
Defender Jack Williams came close to adding another with a spectacular strike from the half-way line which was just inches away from the left post, but the fourth did follow soon after when a well-hit Fearnside volley somewhat fortuitously bounced over the Pangbourne goalie into the top corner.
The midfield creativity of Liam Ruiz and Jack Stevens saw them jointly awarded with the fairplay award.
Photos (thanks Penny)
Squad
Isaac Hylton, Kalhan Shah, Jack Williams, Morgan Green, Nick Swan, Liam Ruiz, Owen Lowe, Jack Stevens, Adam Fearnside