U9 Vipers
It was raining cats and dogs on Saturday, but this did not affect the quality of football on show as both sides were hungry for a victory. The opening exchanges were promising for both sides, as they were both knocking the ball around with precision and zest.
Although the Vipers seem to be penned in their own half for the first few minutes, they were looking deadly on the break when the opportunity arose. Liam Ruiz was battling well in midfield; he initially lost the ball but used his strength and fought back to win the ball back and laid on a sublime pass to Jack Stevens, who touched the ball onto Morgan Green, who in turn found Kalhan Shah, whose sweeping cross was met by the onrushing Stevens who made no mistake slotting the ball past the Saints' keeper, making the score 1-0; the boys were playing fantasy football.
It seemed as if was as there was a typhoon in Sonning as it continued to lash down with rain and the winds roared. However, the boys continued to dominate the game. Kenny Watson was working hard down the flanks and won a corner, the resulting kick was met by Jack Williams, whose shot just went wide. Green, Stevens and Ruiz continued to knock the ball around well in the middle of the park and after a neat passing interchange between the trio, Green passed a ball onto Stevens, whose shot was this time saved by the keeper.
Saints got themselves back into the game when they broke well and their attacker calmly slotted the ball past Isaac Hylton, who could do nothing to prevent it from going in. Nick Swan was brought into the game and made an immediate impact when a majestic ball from Stevens was met by Swan, whose first touch was to spank the ball home. The score could have been increased when after some great individual play, Marcus Martin's shot beat the Saints keeper and went agonisingly wide. However the score remained 2-1 at half-time.
The second half continued where the first half ended, as the Vipers battled well and Swan, Stevens, Ruiz and Martin were playing some truly outstanding one touch football. The organised Saints team were also knocking the ball around well but Shah & Williams were equal to them in defending the attacks as was Hylton, who was doing well in goal. Saints had another shot well saved by Hylton and the resulting loose ball was cleared by Williams who was also having a great game. The Woodley attacks continued and following more good work, they made the game all square for a second time; 2 -2.
Watson had a great run and cross which was met by Martin, whose shot was parried by the keeper, but after further Saints pressure they got their noses in front, making the score line 2-3. Rotherfield had a final chance when Green was felled by a Saints player on the edge of the box; He got back up to take the resulting free kick which he floated into the path of Williams whose shot went painfully wide and the game ended 2-3.
The whole team played like heroes, stood up to be counted and played their part in this truly entertaining game. Ruiz was award the fair play award after an inspirational display in midfield.
Squad
Isaac Hylton, Kalhan Shah, Jack Williams, Liam Ruiz, Morgan Green, Kenny Watson, Marcus Martin, Nick Swan, Jack Stevens