U9 Vipers
Rotherfield lost by a whisker this week against league-leaders Caversham Trents.
United got off to the worst possible start, conceding a goal with no more than thirty seconds on the clock. After the restart though, Rotherfield began to play some football and didn't seem to be suffering from their early setback; First, a Jack Stevens corner was fired just wide by Nick Swan and then five minutes later Kalhan Shah squared the ball to Swan who this time made no mistake, firing in the equaliser from fifteen yards.
Just before half-time United almost found themselves in front when another Stevens cross was met by Adam Fearnside but then well charged-down by the advancing 'keeper.
Much of the game was being fought in the middle third with Liam Ruiz working tirelessly and winning a succession of headers. Rotherfield continued to press and ten minutes into the second-half put themselves in the lead when Owen Lowe passed to Fearnside who then shot over the goalie from outside the box.
Caversham replied almost straight away to make it 2-2 and set up a tense final few minutes. They nearly added a third moments later with a shot to the top corner, but Isaac Hylton saved well to keep the scores level. Morgan Green and Jack Williams fought heroically at the back but the pressure continued and with five minutes to go Trents found the net once more to edge in front, and that's how the scores stayed.
The fairplay award was given to Kalhan Shah for another superb defensive performance.
Photos (thanks Steen)
Squad
Isaac Hylton, Jack Williams, Morgan Green, Kalhan Shah, Nick Swan, Liam Ruiz, Owen Lowe, Jack Stevens, Adam Fearnside