U9 Vipers
Rotherfield's unbeaten start to the their division one season finally came to an end this week against a well-organised Woodley Town Kestrels side.
The match seemed evenly balanced right from the kick-off, with United coming close with efforts from Liam Ruiz and Adam Fearnside, and then Kestrels almost opening the scoring when their attacker broke free with only the 'keeper to beat; Goalie Isaac Hylton threw himself bravely at the feet of the oncoming forward to snuff out the chance and keep the scores level.
United forced a succession of corners but without creating any further clear-cut chances, it was Woodley who opened the scoring just before half-time with a quick breakaway goal.
After the break, Rotherfield responded with their best spell of the match, competing for every ball and pinning the Kestrels back in their own half. The pressure soon told with Jack Stevens firing in his eighth of the season, putting United right back in the game.
Soon after, United were awarded a free-kick just outside the Kestrels penalty-area after Ruiz was upended for the second time in as many minutes; Fearnside launched the dead-ball goalward and just when it seemed that United had taken the lead, the 'keeper made an outstanding save to keep the scores level.
As Rotherfield pushed on in search of a winner, they were caught out by a Kestrels counter-attack and despite all their hard work, United found themselves behind again.
With a few minutes left Rotherfield were still in the game, but another Woodley breakaway, this time a fantastic run and cross from the left, put them 3-1 ahead and effectively the game was over.
The fairplay award was given to defender Jack Williams for an accomplished second-half performance.
Photos (thanks Steen)
Squad
Isaac Hylton, Kalhan Shah, Jack Williams, Morgan Green, Nick Swan, Liam Ruiz, Owen Lowe, Jack Stevens, Adam Fearnside