Rotherfield F.C.
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Rotherfield Junior U14's
RJFC U14's Sunday 25th October
Rotherfield 4 - Tonbridge Invicta 1
They say a week is a long time in Football - well that was how it felt on Sunday as the boys put in a performance that was in a different league to the one we all witnessed the week before. At one point it felt a bit like 'Custers Last Stand' as we were down to just 11 fit players from our squad of 20 but whatever the reason everything began to fall in to place and maybe the week on week reminders to pass the ball and talk to each other had finally sunk in.
Before the game started we had two unexpected injuries with Ollie L and Conor both unable to start the game which meant a debut for Josh Smith and a rare chance between the sticks for Ollie Pillbeam.The first half started at a gallop with James Harris firing home the first of his 4 goals with only a 1 minute on the clock! Further chances came for both sides but good goal keeping from both teams and some excellent defending from our new centre half partnership of Ollie McCrow and Harvey Sayer helped to maintain our lead until an excellent strike from Tonbridge high into the top right hand corner brought the scores level before half time. Just before Jordan had to leave the field with an injury and at that point we had all available players on the pitch.
The second half was probably the best performance for a few weeks. The defence continued to stand firm, the midfield led by Zak and Timmy made a number of big tackles and created excellent chances for James Harris to fire 3 second half goals that secured the win for Rotherfield. The really impressive feature was the team spirit and effort levels put in by everyone - it made a big difference and went a long way towards helping us win the game.
The result puts us in to third place and with games coming up against Roselands and East Hoathley who are both having a tough season we could be in a good position before we play the two strong teams in the league, Hastings and Beckley, later in the season.
RJFC U14's Sunday 18th October
Hailsham 6 - Rotherfield 3
Hard to pull too many positives from what was our second poor performance in a row. From the sidelines it must have been hard to watch but from a referee's position trust me it was worse!!
As coaches Bernie, Rob and myself do try our best to get the boys in the best frame of mind before the game but once they are on the pitch they have to take over and take responsibility for their own performances and it is this that is of the most concern. We are losing to teams that simply want to win more and do not spend half of the match complaining to each other about mistakes which leads to players getting upset leading to more mistakes etc etc.
The game started reasonably well with James Harris scoring the first of his three goals firing past the advancing keeper. However our defence then committed the first of several errors of judgement trying to play the offside trap which led to Hailsham rattling up three goals before half time. Watching at close range it was disappointing to see the amount of times we couldn't get control of the ball and then when we did we couldn't wait to get rid of it!! - I do try and get the boys to put their foot on the ball raise their head and play the pass to a member of the same team - this didn't happen yesterday and will be the central point of training over the coming weeks.
The second half was a lot better with Rotherfield getting more possession and Timmy Cairns started to have an influence over the game creating a number of chances. Our second goal soon came and it was the best of the day with James Harris cutting in from the left and firing past the keeper. At that point we could have gone on and made a real fight of it but mistakes continued and Hailsham scored three further goals putting the game out of reach.
RJFC U14's Sunday 11th October Beckley Rangers 7 - Rotherfield 0
Well they say a week is a long time in football and so it proved yesterday as after the fantastic 8-6 win against Beckley last Sunday we were brought crushing down to earth with a 7 goal mauling at their home ground.
It would be too easy to blame the pitch and the referee (a harsh decison againsy Timmy for the first penalty) but to be honest they outplayed us across the park and we were second best on the day. Praise must go to Ollie Leonard who had a brilliant game in goal and made a number of outstanding saves that kept the score to only 7.
A lot of hard work was also put in by Zak and Harry Kelf and Dexter but we were undone time and again by their pace and strength up front. James Harris had a difficult game on his own up front and as the game went on our fitness levels were not great ........ all in all it was a game to forget.
RJFC U14's Sunday 4th October
Rotherfield 8 - Beckley Rangers 6
After the disappointment of the cup exit to the excellent Hastings Town Youth the previous Sunday it was back to league action against the in form Beckley Rangers who went in to the game with a 100% record.
It was hardly a game for the coaches as both sides made a number of schoolboy errors at the back but a thrilling game nonetheless. The first goal came in the early minutes with a misjudgment by Ollie Leonard letting in the very useful Beckly no.9 who scored the first of his goals with ease. Rotherfield came surging forward and a push in the box gave Timmy the chance to equalise form the penalty spot which with his normal power and accuracy he duly did. Early injuries to both Harvey and Ollie McCrow meant a quick double substitution but the goals kept coming. Great finishes from Jamie Davies, after excellent work by Jordan down the right wing, and James Harris with responses by Beckley left the scores level at 3-3 but Jamie Davies struck again to give Rotherfield a 4-3 lead at half-time.
The game got even better in the second half with Dexter laying the perfect through ball for Jamie Davies to complete his hat trick. Beckley quickly replied after another defensive error but Timmy with a trademark free kick opened up another 2 goal lead for Rotherfield. Beckley were far from beaten and their left sided striker was having a great game laying on 2 further gaols levelling the game at 6-6.
The game could easily have gone either way but the hard work by Zak and Harry Kelf in midfield was wearing down the opposition and firstly Timmy and then Harry Kelf put Jamie Davies through on goal to complete a Man of the Match 5 goal haul.
Great Stuff !!
RJFC U14's Sunday 20th September
Rotherfield 5 Hailsham Utd 0
The game was played in beautiful sunshine on a pitch fit for crown green bowling let alone football so there were no excuses for playing conditions and Rotherfield didn't need any as they were soon in to their stride with some smart attacking moves all centred around the lively James Harris who proved a handful all afternoon for the away defence. It took a typically fierce free kick from Timmy Cairns to open the scoring with a 20 yard free kick that beat the keeper at the near post. After a number of Rotherfield attacks led down the right wing by the impressive Jordan Rodemark and Jamie Davies the second goal inevitably came from James Harris firing home after some neat footwork in the penalty box. Hailsham rarely threatened and the 5 man midfield of Rotherfield dominated possession with Zak Dawson, Harry Kelf and Arthur Walker working hard and stopping any approaches on the home goal. The centre back pairing of Timmy Cairns and Harvey Sayer were also having an excellent match clearing everything coming their way.
The second half continued much in the same vein as the first and it was only a matter a time before Rotherfield extended their lead. The goal game from the increasingly impressive Arthur Walker with some excellent work in the box before firing home. This was soon followed by a tremendous strike from Lewis Newton beating the keeper into the top left hand corner of the net from outside the penalty box.Although rarely called in to action Oliver Leonard made an excellent save to prevent Hailsham getting on the scoresheet. The fifth goal was a gem as Harry Kelf rifled home with his wrong foot - at last some training is paying off!!
Using all four subs meant everyone had a run out and the score could easily have doubled without any injustice to the home side.
Rotherfield U14's
