Under 10 Match Reports

Saturday 20th March 2010 : Ringmer Rovers 1 (1) v (0) 4 Rotherfield
The Under 10's played their first ever 11-a-side game today in a friendly against a Rotherfield side entering into this arena also for the first time.  It was a fascinating challenge for all the children as they encountered a pitch almost twice the size of that they are used to, goals that made them all look like subbuteo players and with overnight rain, a playing surface that hardly did anything to help.

Both teams started brightly with Ringmer playing some lovely football in patches.  The hardest challenge was getting into the opponents half from goal kicks which weren't going much further than the edge of the penalty area.  The first half was more a lesson of learning and winning possession which was being done well by James, Ben E and Will putting in some really strong tackles all over the pitch.  It was this possession that meant Ringmer who went in 1-0 up thanks to a superb finish by Charlie following a good passing move through midfield.

The second half was a much harder affair as the Ringmer players struggled in the worst end of the pitch and the Rotherfield players coping with the playing surface much better.  Although Rotherfield went on to score four goals, none could be put down to the goalkeeping of Owen and Kas who were sharing duties between the sticks, and perhaps it could have been more had it not been for Joe who marshalled the defence superbly.  Some players will need to increase their concentration levels if they are to cope with the demands of 11-a-side football next season but it was a good lesson for all concerned and we thank Rotherfield for being part of a very encouraging outing for all.  We also look forward to attending their Open Day in the Summer and renewing the rivalry. 

Saturday 6th March 2010 : Ringmer Rovers v Tunbridge Wells Foresters
Four competitive games between two evenly matched squads made for some entertaining football on Saturday with Ringmer prevailing over their first encounter with Tunbridge Wells Foresters with two wins, a draw and only one defeat on their travels.  It had looked ominous for the travelling contingent when six players dropped out overnight including both goalkeepers which made team selection and last minute arrangements a bit frantic.

With Ringmer's teams very depleted and only have the bare minimum of seven players, the Lions went into their first game with Max in goal and despite having never donned the gloves before we may have found a new star.  The game's opening goal however came from a Ringmer own goal, the unfortunate Lewis making his Club debut, knocking into his own net which left the away side chasing the game but with Ben E driving the team on in the midfield area, an equaliser duly arrived when Joseph ran from the halfway line, beating three defenders on route, before unleashing an unstoppable shot to even the scores up.  Ringmer however, could not get themselves in the ascendancy and TWF got themselves back into the lead at half time.

The second half however was Ringmer's with an equaliser coming from the recently much improved Khymer who found himself in the right place to knock home the leveller from close in.  Game on.  Both sides went for the win but it was Ringmer who took the spoils with almost the last kick of the game, when again Khymer found himself in the right place at the right time to knock in his second from close range and secure the points for a very excited Ringmer team.

The Lions second game was a much tighter affair both defences dominating a game of few chances.  What chances did fall either teams way were either not taken or well saved by both goalkeepers.  Again, Max, deputising for the now injured Ben E in goal, made a string of timely interventions and saves and looked like he was relishing the responsibility of being in goal.  Lions chances going forward were somewhat curtailed with Joseph picking up an injury which blunted their attacking options but Lions held out for another point on the day.

Lions: Max, Joseph, Joe, Ben E, David, Lewis H, Khymer
PotD: Max, Ben E

The Tigers opening game was a close affair until near the end when a strong TWF side went on to claim maximum points but Ringmer did not lie down without a fight.  Ringmer had possibly started the stronger and were playing some nice football without a finishing touch and neither goalie was truly tested.  This changed when Lewis H, again standing in for his first outing between the sticks, knocked out a cross to a TWF forward who slotted in well. 

Benjamin took over in goal for the second half having made himself busy in an unfamiliar forward role in the first half.  Ringmer were not out of it and a trademark corner from Will was stabbed in by Charlie for the equaliser and the game was evenly balanced.  However, an unstoppable free kick from long distance went high over Benjamin's head to give TWF the lead and a quick third put the game to bed.  Ringmer's lack of concentration had cost them dearly as this game could have gone either way at one point.

The Tigers second game though was a completely different affair and a much more determined and focused Ringmer team went on to record a comprehensive 3-0 victory with Charlie hitting a hat-trick.  However, this was a real team affair, with Ben V tracking back well in defence, Lewis H getting tighter to make things difficult for the TWF tricky forwards and Josh putting in some crunching tackles in the middle of the park to break up play.  Will was continuing to put in some great set-pieces and it was from one of his corners that Charlie poked home the opener.

Still tight at half time but Ringmer pushed on in the second half and two breakaway goals from Charlie gave the scoreline an emphatic if not a little flattering feel.  This was because in our goal we had another stand-in goalie, in James, who had pulled off three or four superb saves to keep the TWF scoreline blank. Benjamin was again making a nuisance of himself holding the ball up well and winning valuable possession - a great team result. 

Tigers: James, Charlie, Benjamin, Ben V, Will, Josh, Lewis H
PotD: James, Benjamin

Saturday 20th February 2010 : Ringmer Rovers Lions v Ringmer Rovers Tigers
A pulsating game was played out by two very determined Ringmer teams on Saturday as both teams wanted to take the bragging rights into school.  It was however, Tigers that prevailed coming out 6-4 winners in a game that tilted one way and then the other.

Lions:
PotD: Joseph, Ben E

Tigers:
PotD: Kas, James

Saturday 13th February 2010 : Ringmer Rovers Lions & Tigers v Broad Oak & Horam
Saturday saw Ringmer host a very friendly and much improved Broad Oak outfit and all four games were played out competitively and in good spirit.  It was however one of Ringmer's better days as we came out with two wins and two draws, playing some good football on a difficult playing surface.

The Lions went into their first game and were soon in the lead when a Jake effort was well saved but Charlie was on hand to poke in the rebound.  A second looked likely as the Ringmer midfield, in particular Khymer, were winning most of the tackles and creating chances, however it was against the run of play that Broad Oak equalised when a speculative effort was dropped in by Owen who will be disappointed with his effort here.  He could nothing about the second as Broad Oak started to dominate themselves and the teams went in at half-time 2-1 to the visitors. 

The second half was a different animal and with Joe marshalling the defence, Khmyer continuing to win the battle in midfield and Ben E coming on to bring a bit more creativity going forward, Ringmer dominated the second half.  A foul on Khymer gave Joe the chance to lash in an unstoppable free kick and Ringmer's tails were up.  The winner came when a ball in from the left was smashed into the bottom corner by Charlie and, despite a late chance for Broad Oak where Owen attoned for earlier by snuffing out the chance from an acute angle, Ringmer ran out 3-2 winners.

Their second game was a little more comfortable, well eventually, as they started strongly and they went into the lead when a darting Ben E was finished off cooly by the maurading midfielder.  Very much against the run of play Broad Oak equalised and what should have been a game put out of site, became an even contest.  Owen picked up an ankle injury and this gave George a rare chance to show off his capabilities in goal, which he duly did pulling off a couple of good saves, but it was Ringmer who always looked the more likely to score.

Their second came following Joe's free kick where, although he was unable to replicate his free kick in the first match, he received the ball straight back from the Broad Oak defender before unleashing an unstoppable volley into the bottom right corner.  Ringmer continued to pile on the pressure and a third arrived when a run down the left from Ben E saw him cross for Khymer to stab home a third and decisive goal at the far post.  A convincing 3-1 win was secured.

Owen, Joe, Will, Max, Khymer, Charlie, Jake, Ben E, George
PotD: Khymer / Joe

The Tigers first game was a thoroughly entertaining encounter with six goals being shared in a 3-3 draw.

The second game was also a close affair but one which could have been won.  There was nothing in the game for long periods until two of Ringmer's players started to have a real influence on the game.  Josh was winning every challenge and Joseph was showing some nice touches in the middle of the park, retaining possession wherever possible.  This resulted in a period of sustained pressure and when two corners successive corners weren't cleared James was there to drive into the goal to put the home team one up.

An immediate lapse of concentration allowed our visitors to score a good equaliser as the Broad Oak forward was allowed a run down the right and a free shot at goal which went high into our net over Kas, who was left a little exposed.  After this defences dominated, in particular Josh who won every challenge and distrubuted the ball well so chances were at a premium and so a draw was a fair reflection in the end.

Kas, Lewis H, Josh, Daniel, James, Joseph, Conor, David
PotD : Kas / Josh

Saturday 6th February 2010 : Rotherfield v Ringmer Rovers Lions & Tigers
Our first outing of 2009 saw a mixed back of results with one win, one draw and two narrow defeats against a talented Rotherfield outfield who had some outstanding individuals in their ranks.  Whilst the results didn't all go our way, a high level of commitment and a great attitude was shown by all the players in what was an unusual event - football on a Saturday morning for the first time in about eight weeks - and a special mention has to go to all the boys who were commended by the Rotherfield coaches on their impeccable behaviour and gracious attitude so a big thank you to all the players for standing out.

Lions started their first game on fire winning 6-1 with hat-tricks from Jake and Joseph, with the defence also playing their part with Owen making several saves of note.  Pick of the goals was Joseph's fierce drive into the top of the net from outside the area.

Into their second game and without the reassurance of Joe in the back line, the Lions went down 2-1 with a late consolation penalty by George, cooly struck home, the only thing to show for their efforts.  Disappointing after such a resounding first game win as the front players just couldn't rediscover their scoring boots.

Lions: Owen, George, Joe, Joseph, Daniel, Ben E, Jake, Khymer
PotD: Joseph / George

Tigers played two closely fought games but in their first found themselves behind after just 90 seconds as a lapse in concentration let in Rotherfield for the opening goal.  Tigers begun to get back into the game and equalised through a poachers strike from Conor but as the matched ebbed one way and then the other, neither team looked likely to take the spoils with defences on top, with Will & Ben V standing firm for the away side, until a late strike from the home side sealed the win when Ringmer's defence were caught ball watching.

The Tigers second match started in similar vein and they soon found themselves 2-0 down.  This seemed to stir them into action and Charlie began to drive them on from midfield.  It was his strike that hit the post that allowed Conor to tap home and then an equaliser soon followed a run into the area by Charlie.  All square and all to play for but a terrific free kick (the best I've ever seen by a nine year old) put the home side ahead.  However, Ringmer weren't to be outdone and Conor got his second of the match and third of the day to share the points.

Tigers: Kas, Ben V, Will, Lewis H, Benjamin, Charlie, Josh, Conor, David
PotD: Charlie / Conor

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