U9 Vipers
Saturday was the first time that the lads had played for a few weeks and they were hoping to get the wheels in motion again.
The opening exchanges were positive and Rotherfield showed plenty of huff and puff. There was lots of one touch football with some excellent penetration by the wingbacks Adam Fearnside and Morgan Green. It wasn't long before Rotherfield started banging in some shots at the Pangbourne goalie and it was a siege.
Nick Swan was first to pull the trigger with a long-range shot, which just went wide. Then Jack Stevens & Adam Fearnside hammered in some ferocious shots, next it was Jack Williams to have a go, three shots he pounded in in 15 seconds but the oppositions defence stood firm and they were not going to let anything get past, they were water tight!
When Pangbourne broke they did look dangerous but they did not cause any problems to Isaac Hylton the Rotherfield goalie, who barely had a save to make in the entire game.
Finally after all the huff and puff they blew the house down - a great through ball from Liam Ruiz who in turn found Swan, made no mistake and nailed the ball into the back of the net.
In the second half the Vipers had well and truly found the rhythm; Owen Lowe & Kalhan Shah were brought into the fold and they were solid as a rock at the back. A great throw-in by Shah to Stevens, who played an inch perfect ball to Ruiz and on the half volley hit the ball like a bolt of lightning and gave the keeper no chance as it rippled the back of the net.
Soon after, Fearnside was brought down outside the edge of the box and was awarded a free kick, which was in Fearnside territory. He struck the ball which soared like an canary over the wall of the defence and went straight into the top right corner.
The goals started to come thick and fast; the keeper of the opposition cleared the ball which fell to Swan, who made no mistake in slotting the ball past the keeper who was in no mans land. Green who had been outstanding the entire game, with some superb crosses, corners and runs, then found himself on the score sheet, following a melee in the box he was on hand to smash the ball into the back of the net.
The sixth goal started at the back with some great passes between the solid Shah & Lowe, who with a powerful run played a long ball through to Fearnside, who placed the ball the other side of the keeper making the final score 6-0.
The Fair Play Award was give to Adam Fearnside, who had a very solid game and contributed well all over the pitch. Sadly though Saturday was going to be Fearnside's final appearance in the Black & Gold of Rotherfield, as he has signed to play for Wycombe Wanderers Academy for the coming season. All the lads and parents wish him well for the future, as his contribution will be greatly missed.
A special mention should also go to Kalhan Shah & Jack Williams, who played for both teams and worked hard for whichever team they played for.
Photos
Squad
Isaac Hylton, Owen Lowe, Kalhan Shah, Jack Williams, Morgan Green, Liam Ruiz, Jack Stevens, Nick Swan, Adam Fearnside