U9 Vipers
Rotherfield continued their indifferent run with a third successive 2-2 draw, this week against Woodley Wanderers Lions.
The game started well enough for the Vipers who went ahead in only the third minute, thanks to a lovely passing move involving Liam Ruiz and Jack Stevens, finished off by striker Nick Swan.
In a sign of things to come, Woodley were soon on the offensive themselves and only an excellent reaction save from goalkeeper Isaac Hylton enabled Rotherfield to maintain their lead.
The stripes then doubled their advantage on the ten minute mark when a Ruiz shot was beaten away by the Wanderers 'keeper but then forced in by Swan and Morgan Green.
Woodley were by no means out of the game though and a sustained spell of pressure saw them carve out an opportunity for a shot which flew just over the Vipers crossbar. Later, some good covering from Kalhan Shah, followed by a timely Jack Williams interception looked to have got Rotherfield to the break with a two goal advantage, but in the very last few seconds of the half Woodley were awarded a free-kick which was deflected into the Vipers goal to make it 2-1.
In the second half, Stevens fired an effort over the bar and then Swan also came close after a good ball in from Owen Lowe, but as the game wore on Woodley looked more and more threatening as Rotherfield were increasingly finding themselves second to the ball. The inevitable happened five minutes from time when Wanderers grabbed a second goal after a fine passing move.
The Vipers tried in vain to find a winner, but with two minutes to go almost lost the match when a Woodley forward found himself clean through on goal, only to be denied by more Hylton heroics.
For the second week in a row, the effort award was given to Isaac Hylton for another magnificent performance.
Photos
Squad
Isaac Hylton, Jack Williams, Kalhan Shah, Morgan Green, Nick Swan, Owen Lowe, Liam Ruiz, Jack Stevens