U9 Vipers
Rotherfield celebrated clinching promotion to Division One this week, despite seeing their winning run come to an end against a strong South Reading team.
Both teams started brightly and the opening minutes saw some end-to-end action, with defenders Jack Williams and Kalhan Shah having to be at their best to keep the scores level. United eventually broke the deadlock after ten minutes; A well-struck Morgan Green corner curled into the box, ricocheted off a pair of unfortunate defenders and found its way into the goal to make it 1-0. Green was desperately unlucky two minutes later when a fine shot from outside the penalty area struck the crossbar but then bounced away to safety. Rotherfield kept pressing in search of a second goal, but despite more dangerous corners from Green, it remained 1-0 until half-time.
After the break, South Reading came out strongly and netted a deserved equaliser almost straight away. United continued to battle in midfield, with Liam Ruiz and Morgan Green working tirelessly but Reading never allowed Rotherfield time to start playing their usual attacking football. Reading poured on the pressure and only good saves from Isaac Hylton along with countless interceptions from Shah and Williams kept the score at 1-1.
Eventually, South Reading grabbed the winner with five minutes to go; United failed to clear after a short goal-kick and the ball was fired in from a tight angle to make it 1-2.
A hard-fought game but again played in a great spirit. The fairplay award was given to Jack Williams for a committed display in defense.
Squad
Isaac Hylton, Kalhan Shah, Jack Williams, Morgan Green, Harry Sayer, Liam Ruiz, Owen Lowe, Adam Fearnside