U9 Vipers
The Vipers were in fine form for their second Summer League game of the season, playing the ball around nicely and creating a series of chances in the opening stages; The Magpies' goalkeeper was first forced into making a fine stop from a Jack Stevens effort and then an equally good save from Adam Fearnside's rebound to keep the scores at 0-0. Moments later, Morgan Green cued up Fearnside just outside the box but the ensuing shot was met by another top quality save.
Mid-way through the half, all Rotherfield's good work seemed to be undone when Maidenhead's centre-forward broke through the middle to find himself one on one with the Vipers 'keeper; Owen Lowe did well to get down to his left and save the initial effort but the rebound was tucked away to give the magpies the lead.
Nick Swan came close to getting an equaliser before half-time when he narrowly headed over the bar and then later hit the post, but despite all Rotherfield's attacking play, it was still 0-1 at the interval.
The second-half resumed in much the same fashion as the first, with the Vipers heaping on the pressure. The first real chance came when Swan played the ball to Liam Ruiz who was again denied by more goalkeeping heroics. Eventually though, the break-through came when Stevens found Swan who deftly tucked the ball away into the far corner to make it 1-1.
Vipers' defenders Jack Williams and Kalhan Shah were keeping things tight at the back, giving midfielders Ruiz and Green the confidence to push on in search of the second goal; It almost came when a tireless Ruiz won the ball and played in Swan, who in turn found Stevens but his first-time shot flew just over the bar.
With ten minutes to go, Rotherfield finally grabbed a deserved winner when top scorer Nick Swan netted his thirtieth goal of the season.
The effort award was given to Jack Stevens for an industrious and creative performance.
Photos
Squad
Owen Lowe, Kalhan Shah, Jack Williams, Morgan Green, Liam Ruiz, Jack Stevens, Nick Swan, Adam Fearnside