U9 Vipers
Rotherfield remain unbeaten at the half-way point in the season after a 3-1 victory over Woodley Wanderers.
Neither side carved out a clear opening for much of the first-half, with most of the play taking place in the middle third of the pitch. Midfielders Liam Ruiz and Morgam Green were industrious, but as half-time approached it looked like the scores would remain level. Right on the stroke of half-time though, Nick Swan played a pass to Adam Fearnside who forced the ball in from close-range to give Rotherfield the lead.
After the interval, Woodley came back strongly and almost got back on level terms when their forward was clean-through on goal, but Isaac Hylton pulled off a fantastic save to maintain Rotherfield's narrow lead. Moments later though, the Wanderers did equalise when the Vipers failed to get the ball clear from a goalmouth scramble and it was bundled in.
With ten minutes to go, Swan again played in Fearnside whose first shot was saved, but he was able to fire in the rebound to restore the one goal advantage. Swan then added his eleventh of the season with a long-range effort which eluded the Woodley 'keeper. The Vipers finally started to play with more confidence for the remainder of the game and Green was unlucky not to add a fourth with a powerful top-corner strike which was brilliantly saved.
It finished 3-1, and Ruiz earned himself the effort award for a good work-rate and some excellent passing.
Rotherfield were watched this week by a Reading FC official and in recognition for their excellent start to the season, were subsequently asked to participate in an invitation-only tournament at the Reading FC Dome in December. Well done lads!
Photos (thanks Tom)
Squad
Isaac Hylton, Jack Williams, Kalhan Shah, Liam Ruiz, Adam Fearnside, Owen Lowe, Nick Swan, Morgan Green, Jack Stevens