U9 Vipers
It was a foggy morning for this encounter, but there was no excuse as the Vipers seemed to be on their game from the off. The boys were knocking the ball around crisply, with some neat one touch football by all. It was not long before this exciting game had some goal mouth action; after some Morgan Green pressure, the ball fell to Liam Ruiz who slotted the ball to Jack Stevens, whose shot was well saved by the keeper.
Although this was an end to end game the Vipers were retaining the ball well in midfield and pressured when they were not in possesion with good work by Owen Lowe, Marcus Martin, Nick Swan. Kalhan Shah & Jack Williams were in good form again and Shah, for the second week in succession, cleared a ball off the line after an initial good save by Isaac Hylton in between the sticks.
After a Lowe cross which no one could finish off, South Reading broke on the counter attack and took the lead; 1-0. The Vipers tried to make amends before the interval, a one-two from Ruiz to Stevens who then crossed to Green, who had his powerful shot smothered by the defenders.
In the second half the Vipers continued where they left off in the previous half and were dominating the opening exchanges. After some good pressure by Swan, Stevens & Ruiz, Rotherfield had a succession of corners, one of which was met by Martin, who could not force through an opening.
Shortly after some hard graft, Swan had a long range effort which was comfortably saved by the opposing keeper. However against the run of play South Reading knocked in a further two goals making it 3-0. The boys did not let their heads dip and showed some real endeavour; defenders Williams & Shah were really pushing more into the game as the Vipers tried to get something out of it. Shah made a wonderful cross to Swan who could not get enough on it, but the rustling clearance was met by Green and like a raging bull he powered forward and broke through South's defence and smashed the ball home; 3-1.
Within a minute, nimble stevens was quick to latch onto a ball about 25 yards from the goal and let rip with an animal of a shot which gave the keeper no chance; 3-2. The drama did not end there, after Green was felled in the penalty area and was subsequently given a penalty. Stevens powerfully drove his spot kick which the keeper saved and broke the Vipers hearts.
After a truly enthralling game, in which all the players played their part, the fair-play award was given to Stevens for a splendid display.
Squad
Jack Williams, Jack Stevens, Isaac Hylton, Liam Ruiz, Nick Swan, Morgan Green, Marcus Martin, Kalhan Shah, Owen Lowe