Raiders Tournament Highlights

Checkout the goals from sundays tournament with superb strikes from Rowan, Ben, Mathew. A cool penalty from Max and the fastest goal ever from Matty C action replays and some shots from practice. Enjoy !

Woodley Wanders Tournament June 30th

Sat June 30, AM - Woodley Wanders Tournament @ Abbey RFC

Woodley Saints Tournament May 20th

Sat June 16 - PM Woodley Saints Tournament @ Berkshire County Sports , Sonning

Sun May 20 -PM AFC Henley Tournament @ Henley

Sun May 20 -PM AFC Henley Tournament @ Henley ... NON-AVAILABILITY PLEASE

Rotherfield IronPort Raiders Blacks 0 – Woodley Kestrels 1

Raiders U9’s Blacks lose a tight game - A close game that followed a pattern of sound defence and good breaks by Woodley Kestrels whilst Rotherfield had the majority of position which they could not turn into goals. Raiders were missing their regular keeper this week so two of their midfield dynamos, James Back and Guy Thurlow shared goal- keeping duties.

Raiders started fast with a good early dribble by Louis Walsh ending with a Max Sweetman low shot. Raiders had all the possession in the early part of the first half with Charlie Estcourt dictating much of the midfield play and Josh Gay and Kai Carlisle holding the defence on the halfway line effectively. However, Raiders were undone, by failing to clear from Kestrels very first break from which they scored from a lucky deflection off a Raiders player.

Raiders had further long-range shots after good combination passing involving Matthew Chapman, Charlie Rowan and Guy. The second half followed the same pattern with all attacks from Raiders however they were caught on the break several times by Kestrels. Guy had now gone in goal and James Back put in some very strong midfield runs and tackles.

Raiders best effort was a passing move involving most of the team ending with a ball through the middle being chased by Rowan one on one against Kestrels Keeper. Rowan skilfully knocked it round the keeper, only for the ball to take an awkward bounce off his knee stopping him from guiding it into the net. The game ended dramatically with Raiders throwing caution to the wind with Guy Thurlow coming out of goal from a final Louis corner in a desperate attempt to get an equaliser that did not materialise.

Man of the Match went to Charlie for some excellent industry in midfield.

Team: Guy Thurlow, Kai Carlisle, Charlie Estcourt, James Back, Louis Walsh, Rowan Stacey, Max Sweetman ,Matthew Chapman & Josh Gay

Rotherfield IronPort Raiders Gold 6 ~ Meadway 1

Coach Chapman challenged Gold to concentrate on control and the bright early start with well struck corners from Estcourt and a long range shot from Gay indicated it was a lesson well learnt.
Meadway scoring first did not inhibit Gold’s play which at times was enthralling. Street was to be given man of the match for his first half hat trick. However it was his first time passing out wide, which was the most, accomplished part of his game.
It was Peirson-Hagger who opened the scoring for Gold with a fine cross shot which took a deflection off a defender. The second came when another shot from Peirson-Hagger wasn’t held by the goalkeeper and Street was on hand to sweep the ball into the net.
Following some fine defensive work by Dockree, who is fitting well into this role, Street made it 3-1 to Gold having collected an intuitive pass from Estcourt.
Substitutions brought Back and Chapman into the game and both had an immediate effect. Street completed his hat trick after more fine approach play and Chapman scored his first after long shots by Gay and Back were well saved by the Meadway keeper.
Contrary to what the score might suggest Meadway produced dangerous attacking moments but Sweetman, playing well in his new role as Gold’s keeper, refused to be beaten again.
Being 5-1 down at half time Meadway’s response was to tighten their defense although it was after an attack that Gold scored their sixth. Chapman started and finished a fine move which included good one touch passing from Estcourt and Street.
Enough time was left for Aldridge to show good control and strong running and for Chapman to narrowly miss concluding his hat trick; Gold maintained their 100% record.
Team: Charlie Estcourt, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Matthew Aldridge, Matthew Chapman, Josh Gay, Sam Street, Danny Dockree, Max Sweetman, James Back

IronPort Raiders Black 1 Meadway 1

In an evenly matched game, Rotherfield Blacks made an unusually fast start. Both sides played open attacking football. Excellent interplay and safe clearing by the defenders Kit Greengrass and Kai Carlisle facilitated a great pass from Kit over the heads of the Meadway defense to Max Sweetman, who took it round the goalie to score.
Sam Booker replacing Kit quickly created some good breaks for Max and Rowan Stacey, many near misses but no goals. Rotherfield one up at half time.
The second half started well with Louis Walsh’s strong passing. James Back, sweeper, covered the pitch brilliantly creating chances for the Rotherfield attackers and narrowly missing a long range shot.
A great cross from James was followed up by some nifty footwork from Guy Thurlow creating a corner opportunity, just missed in a goalmouth scramble.
Six minutes from the end saw a Meadway long shot bounce off an attacker’s foot that even Liam Peachy could not save – one all.
A great run by Stacey down the left, was crossed to Thurlow who was blocked by the Meadway goalkeeper, the ball rebounded to Max who pushed it just wide as the final whistle blew.
Kai Carlisle won man of the match for his consistent defensive play.
Team:-James Back, Liam Peachey, Sam Booker, Kit Greengrass, Rowan Stacey, Guy Thurlow, Louis Walsh, Kai Carlisle, Max Sweetman

Rotherfield IronPort Raiders Gold 2 Woodley Saints Jaguars 0

The line up this week saw Josh Gay start in goal with a defence of McGowan and Dockree, a mid-field of Chapman, Peirson-Hagger and Estcourt with Street the loan striker; Booker and Aldridge started on the bench.

Early Jaguars pressure was well dealt with by Dockree and it was a while before Gold created their first chance, which Peirson-Hagger failed to convert. Long periods of play took place within the Jaguars half with Booker, Street and Estcourt pressing the opposition defence and creating chances. Particularly prominent for Gold was Chapman who is beginning to show what a fine all round player he is becoming.

Raiders Gold’ swapped it around in the second half with Dockree replacing Gay in goal and the latter immediately began to have a positive effect on the game through his control, use of space and fine passing.

During the second half Jaguars rarely broke out of their half and Gold came close to scoring on a number of occasions especially from good shots from Aldridge, Chapman, Street and particularly Estcourt who hit the post with one fine effort.

The deadlock was finally broken in a spectacular fashion. After some good approach play by Gold’, Peirson-Hagger cut inside the Jaguars fullback and unleashed an unstoppable left foot shot past the goalkeeper’s right hand.

Although generally out played for most of the game the Jaguars were still dangerous on the break and on one such occasion the No.2, probably their best outfield player, broke free. However, a superbly timed tackle by McGowan stopped Jaguars from going level.

Just before the final whistle Coach Aldridge sent on Chapman who, having received a delicately threaded pass from Street, made it two nil with a clinical finish.

So Gold keep their 100% record and Man of the Match went to a thoroughly deserving Chapman.

Team: Charlie Estcourt, Ben Peirson-Hagger, Matthew Aldridge, Matthew Chapman, Sam Booker, Josh Gay, Sam Street, Archie McGowan, Danny Dockree