U9 Vipers
Rotherfield faced a well organised Caversham team this week and were soon on the back-foot. The Trents moved the ball around well and it wasn't long before they were 1-0 in front.
United went looking for an equaliser and some good pressure led to a succession of corners, but Caversham's defence was solid and Rotherfield were unable to find a way through. Liam Ruiz then beat two players on a great run from inside his own-half but was unlucky not to see it lead to a clear-cut scoring opportunity.
More Caversham attacks followed and eventually they added a deserved second goal.
United had a chance to get one back when they were awarded a free-kick few yards outside the penalty-area; Adam Fearnside struck it sweetly only to see the ball ricochet off a Trents' defender on the goal-line and fall safely to the keeper. Just before the break, the Trents added a third to give them with a comfortable lead and leave Rotherfield looking dead and buried.
United however made some tactical changes for the second-half and were rewarded almost straight away; Just thirty seconds after the restart, a Nick Swan shot rebounded off a defender but fell to Jack Stevens who found the top-corner for the second week in a row with a great strike. Rotherfield began to play with renewed confidence and Swan added a second a few minutes later after a skilful run and composed finish. The last ten minutes saw United desperately search for an equaliser but a resilient Caversham side hung on to win 3-2.
The fairplay award was given to Kalhan Shah for some outstanding defensive play.
Photos (Thanks Maria)
Squad
Jack Williams, Owen Lowe, Kalhan Shah, Jack Stevens, Adam Fearnside, Morgan Green, Nick Swan, Liam Ruiz