Rotherfield Raiders 2 Purley Jubillee 4

Raiders Slow Start Costs Them ...

Raiders made a lively start with Purley clearing a Miller close range shot off the line. Young's tackling was solid in defence but then Purley took control of the 1st half with a series of probing runs. Thurlow makes a stunning 1-on-1 save with the defence beaten. Raiders rode their luck as the speedy no12 ran amock and Greengrass hit the post in a rare attack. But 12 eventually following up on another great Thurlow save to open scoring 1-0.

Spurred into action Raiders finally started to play with McGowan reinforcing the defence. Sweetman's chip cleared the goalie but went wide. Purley retook control with a 2nd ending the half 2 nil. The 2nd half opened as the first ended and it was 3-0 to Purley from close range. But a great run from Harris-Whyte squared to Sweetman and layup for Greengrass to score from a narrow angle 3-1. Raiders really got into gear with 2 goalmouth scrambles forcing great saves before Sweetman was taken down in the box, biting through the pain a neat penalty made it 3-2. Booker and Carlisle looked calm & collected at the back. A rare Raiders corner ended with Miller tirning teh ball in , but sadly offside. Thurlow again saved Raiders bacon with a block from a breaking Purley.

The next 10 minutes were end to end thrills, Gay went just wide , Chapman got a crucial toe in to save Raiders and Booker made another timely tackle. But a stunning free kick into the top corner ended any chance of a comeback. 4-2.

In the dying minutes Miller scorched wide after a jinking run from Stacey.

The effort award went to Guy Thurlow for a donning the keepers gloves and producing a string of acrobatic saves.

Team: Guy Thurlow, Archie McGowan, Sam Booker, Kai Carlisle, Josh Gay, Matty Chapman, Chris Miller, Alex Harris-Whyte, Rowan Stacey, Max Sweetman, Kit Greengrass, Will Young.