Rotherfield Raiders 6 Woodley Saints Tigers 3

Saturday, October 17, 2009 - Rotherfield Raiders 6 Woodley Saints Tigers 3
Raiders bounce back in style!

After a hugely disappointing performance last week, The Raiders made some tactical changes with Whyte-Harris and Sweetman bolstering the defence. The Raiders made a bright start and were one up after 2 minutes when Peirson-Hagger finished smartly. Sadly though the Raiders were struggling to organize the new defensive line up and found themselves level two minutes later. Thurlow, Spruyt and Miller all forced good saves from the Saints keeper, but the Saints took a 2-1 lead into half time after another defensive mix-up. The remainder of the first half was end to end stuff with Raiders looking as flamboyant in attack as they did fragile in defence.
Normal service was resumed in under 60 seconds of the second half when Chris Miller leveled the score. This was followed by a wonderful one two between Thurlow and Spruyt to leave a simple tap in for Pierson Haggar to push the Raiders ahead again. The Raiders began to slowly dominate the game with keeper, the woodwork and some luck saving the Saints from embarrassment. A long kick from Peachey in the Raiders goal, was threaded by Chapman through midfield and Thurlow was on the end to make it 4-2. The Raiders looked like they were cruising only to be stunned by a surprise goal from the Saints to make it 4-3. Was this to be the turning point in the game for the Saints? The answer was NO. Spruyt’s misdirected rocket of a cross found the net and was followed up by a well-deserved goal from Whyte Harris to make it 6-3. Greengrass was a late sub for Rotherfield and should have made it seven, only to be denied by the post.
MOM went to Max Sweetman for an energetic but solid performance in defence and tireless running the whole game

Team: Liam Peachey, Guy Thurlow, Sam Booker, Josh Gay, Matty Chapman, Chris Miller, Ben Pierson-Haggar, Alex Harris-Whyte, Rowan Stacey, Max Sweetman, Will Young, Mark Spruyt, Archie McGowan, Kai Carlisle, Kit Greengrass, Danny Dockree, Jake Hylton