U9 Vipers
The opening game of the season saw the Vipers meet the Caversham Eagles in a local derby on a truly dank day. The opening exchanges were scrappy as both teams tried to gain an early stranglehold on the game.
Jack Stevens was a livewire down the flank and provided some great crosses into the box, which were latched onto by Owen Lowe who came close to breaking the deadlock, but narrowly missed on both occasions.
Soon the Eagles began to command the game with their neat and tidy play and it wasn't long before they broke the deadlock, making it 1-0. Marcus Martin was then brought into the game and looked very lively indeed and was linking up well with Liam Ruiz, Stevens & Lowe, who were all creating good space and movement, but the Eagles had more desire and broke through the Vipers ranks and made it 2-0.
Lowe then turned creator as he shot down the wing, firing a dangerous cross into the box which an Eagles defender nearly turned into his own net. Kalhan Shan & Jack Williams were being very resilient at the back, as was Isaac Hylton who pulled off a magnificent save just before half time.
In the second half, Rotherfield seemed to be back to their best and the whole team were knocking the ball around as sweet a nut and it surely wouldn't be long before they got back into the game. Morgan Green who was working tirelessly in Midfield struck a free-kick which the keeper finger-tipped onto the crossbar. Stevens provided crosses to both Martin & Ruiz whose shots were well saved by the Eagles keeper who was having an inspired game.
Meanwhile, Williams & Shah were keeping the Eagles attack at bay, but the Eagles got back into the game as they just seemed to outclass Rotherfield on this occasion with their desire to win. They scored twice in the final few minutes making the end result 4-0.
Owen Lowe was given the fair play award for an excellent all round performance, however the whole team did well and fought all the way to the end and never let their heads go down.
Squad
Marcus Martin, Liam Ruiz, Kalhan Shah, Jack Williams, Isaac Hylton, Jack Stevens, Owen Lowe, Morgan Green