Under 13 Match Reports
Sunday 2nd May 2010 : Langton Green Hammers 0 (0) v (1) 4 Ringmer Rovers
Langton were unlucky to come away with nothing from this season-ending double header, but the Rovers were keen to finish on a high, and even Langton's battling midfield and pacy defence were no match.
In persistent rain, both teams struggled to measure their passing and receiving as the ball skipped across the greasy surface. However, Kieran was quick to settle into his game and placed a wide ball in the path of Alex on the left who quickly developed his position, and fired the slippy ball through the gloves of the Hammers' keeper. Rovers' industry was looking good, and Langton's feisty midfield did their best to stifle it until, in the second half, Kieran again supplied the ball that set Ben up for a well-taken shot from a central position as the keeper advanced. Jack replaced Dan on the right, and soon created a chance and a cross that eventually fell to Alex to turn in from close range. After a typically pacy and muscular tussle between Amir and one of the quickest defenders in the league, Amir broke free with the ball, evaded two more tackles and shot on goal, and William turned in the ricochet.
Sunday 2nd May 2010 : Langton Green Hammers 0 (0) v (2) 3 Ringmer Rovers
In the second game, Langton made a spirited start, but Luke's sparky run from midfield, after chesting down a ball from Joss, set Ben up for his second goal of the day, beating the advancing keeper again. Amir added another before half time, and we knew we were safely home. In the final half of the league season, Conrad and Tom tried their luck as strikers, and James as a midfielder, but it was Alex who chipped in with characteristic cool, after Joss's shot was blocked.
The season ends, but one big match to follow: Saturday 10am; lads v dads (and mums, and coaches).
Thanks to a massive band of supporters in foul conditions, and an enormous thanks to all the boys: I have really enjoyed coaching you all and am enormously proud of how well you have done. Not just this season, with the great run of results, but I am proud of your determination to succeed, fighting spirit, and above all, good sportsmanship.
Sunday 25th April 2010 : Ringmer Rovers 3 (0) v (0) 0 Tonbridge Junior B
Today's matches were an awesome display of natural talent, plus discipline and effort, and the boys have surely done enough to win the league. Tonbridge, who had been on the top of the table for weeks, on account of having played more games, seemed to have no answer, yielding top spot as a result of today's results. Our previous meeting had been a woeful display, losing at Tonbridge on Remembrance Sunday: best forgotten. Pride was restored with this pair of wins against the only team to have beaten us all season.
Match one was off to a great start: almost a full squad, Tom replacing Luke in midfield and immediately displaying touch and vision, linking with Kieran. A pattern developed with better use of the left flank, allowing Alex to run at the right back, with an early chance falling to Ben, whose shot was cleared from the line. The Tonbridge keeper was very accomplished, and showed great handling and judgement. He had plenty to do, too: James's strong drive was plucked from the top corner to keep the score nil-nil at half time. No changes, but more results in the second half. Tom looked up, placed a firm ball forward to Amir, who cushioned the ball, on the D of the box, and stroked the ball wide of the keeper to open the scoring. Alex created some space on the left moments later and was found by a diagonal ball, behind the defensive line, and he finished coolly ,lobbing the advancing keeper. Finally, Kieran's instinct for goal scoring opportunities sealed the game with a well taken opportunity. The details escape me on that one as I was helping Dan clamber into someone's garden in search of a lost match ball.
Sunday 25th April 2010 : Ringmer Rovers 2 (2) v (0) 0 Tonbridge Junior B
The second match started after the Tonbridge team had received a spirited appraisal of their form from their coach. However, any plan to improve their performance was snuffed out by the frustration of watching the Ringmer squad effortlessly retain possession. Joss was superb in command of the brilliant back four, Conrad and Morgan linking and supporting with almost telepathic fluidity. The backs were recycling the ball on either wing, or forward to Kieran, always on hand, finding space from nowhere, and pressing forward. Typically, he then found Alex, who played an early ball to James, who threaded it cleverly onwards to Amir. When Amir's shot was blocked, Ben was in position as ever, to snap up the opportunity from close range. The Tonbridge team seemed to sense the futility of their task, when shortly after, Amir struck firmly home into the roof of the net from a tight angle. The second half was, then, a celebratory procession, with little to trouble George in goal. Dan was back on, and in his best, combative form, and with cameos from Jack and William, everyone demonstrated why this squad has come so far and done so well this season. For their part, the Tonbridge squad played well, and were to their credit, gracious in defeat. It was not their day today, but we will likely meet again in next year's competition, if we are both promoted into League A.
The coaches had nothing but praise for the squad after the games, and we look forward to seeing the season out with positive results against Jarvis Brook midweek and the elusive Langton Green double-header next weekend.
Thursday 22nd April : Ringmer Rovers 6 (4) v (0) 0 Langton Green
With our injury list steadily growing with Luke (ankle) and Callum (broken wrist) we could do without another injury and Joss (back) and Kieran (fortunately just cramp!) gave us scares early in the second half. Luckily for us the game was already beyond doubt thanks to Alex's left side foot shot, Amir's toe poke from a precise Kieran pass, Ben's flicked header from a James cross and Kieran's cross the goal shot from twenty yards.
The second half was a tad sloppy, however, there were some solid performances from Tom, Jack, Conrad and Morgan. Goal number one hundred of the season was scored by Amir (his thirty third) with a delightful chip. The final goal of the game was Alex's twentieth goal of the season, a fifth of our tally. Two clean sheets from George and Adam helped our cause as did substitutes Dan and Will who played in several different positions as cover. Overall it was a good result but there is room for improvement for the weekend games against Tonbridge.
Sunday 17th April : Ringmer Rovers 6 (3) v (0) 0 Broad Oak
Ringmer went into match full of confidence after taking four points off Sedlescombe last week and continued that form dominating the opening exchanges. Eventually the pressure paid off as a Kieran corner was flicked on by Daniel into the bottom corner. The next goal followed soon after when Kieran was brought down in the box and Joss stepped up not once, but twice to slot the penalty home, after the ref had made him take it again for players in the area. The third and final goal of the first half was a beauty. Kieran played a lovely outside of the foot pass through the defence to Alex who chipped the goalie and scored. Half time 3-0.
The second half started with Ringmer on the front foot and once again pressure turned into goals when Alex scored two more goals the pick of them being a header from the edge of the area. The final goal came when a looped ball over the top fell to William. The ball seemed to take an age to drop and when he let it bounce twice I thought he was never going to hit it but he did powerfully and the ball went over the keeper, hit the bar and dropped in for his first goal for Ringmer. A solid professional performance cemented by some lovely fluid passing movements throughout.
Sunday 10th April : Sedlescombe Rangers 1 (0) v (1) 1 Ringmer Rovers
The league's form teams locked horns again, and once more, free kicks were the deciding factor.
An impressive turn-out of Ringmer spectators made the 45-minute trip to Hastings for an exhibition of determined football, from which the Rovers took the spoils, a last-minute victory in the second fixture making up for a last-minute equaliser denying the win in the first game.
The Sedlescombe squad were livelier than they had been in the home fixture, and their talented midfield were more comfortable on the dry, flat pitch than we were at the start. However, we pushed forward and an early foul stopped a run from Amir, but invited a pop at goal from Joss. Although they had seen it before, there was no stopping Joss's shot, well placed over the keeper's flailing arms. We sat on this lead for the remainder of the half, and well into the second half. There seemed no need to press too hard, our defence had everything sewn up and the few attacks were quickly snuffed out by James, particularly strong in the air, and Morgan who was cool as ever. An innocuous incident though, close to the end of the game, led to a free-kick from exactly the same spot, and with exactly the same result, as Joss's: a powerful drive that was out of George's reach. The Sedlescombe squad were ecstatic to have nicked the draw.
Sunday 10th April : Sedlescombe Rangers 1 (0) v (1) 2 Ringmer Rovers
We were determined to avenge this result when we restarted for the second game, and were dominant again before long. Conrad and Joss were so in charge in defence that we rarely worried about the attacking threat, and tried to engineer an attack through the width of Alex on the left and a succession of William, Jack and Dan on the right. The midfield was a difficult battleground for Luke, struggling for control in the bouncy conditions, and Kieran, who ran tirelessly from touchline to touchline to track the lively Rangers midfielders. Luke surged forwards and was brought down in range for Joss's free kick (that could be anywhere within 75 yards, in fact). Joss drilled the kick, keeping it below the crossbar without sacrificing power: unstoppable: 1-0. With both squads tiring, the second half was exhausting for players and nail-biting for spectators. Both sets of coaches were hoarse, and the game was far from over. Ben and Amir had been thwarted by a pair of very capable central defenders, and with a sweeper holding a very deep position, found goals from open play hard to come by. At the other end, Adam had injured himself diving at the feet of an attacker, and George's safe hands looked after the scoreline until the last minute. A push in the back of their midfield star was punished with a free kick and we were pegged back 1-1 when the downwind drive was parried but not kept out, sneaking through George's legs and in.
In added time, we created an opportunity with a free-kick on the half way line. Joss stepped up and delivered a perfectly flighted ball, swirling in the wind, judged as perfectly as Kieran's run to meet it with a careful volley from the edge of the 6-yard box. The last kick of the game couldn't have been a more deserving result: we worked very hard for this.
Thanks again to the travelling support: it was one not to miss, wasn't it? Thanks to Sam for running the line.
Sunday 21st March 2010 : Jarvis Brook 0 (0) v (2) 4 Ringmer Rovers
Rovers kept their composure to pull off a disciplined double.
Double headers require a measured performance, and sustained effort. That is what the boys gave us today. In truth there may have been missed chances, and some loose play leading to loss of possession, but the positives easily outweigh the negatives, and we got the six points we needed to keep pace with our main rivals, who occupy the three places above us in the league, all with strong records.
The first drama of the day was that both of our 'keepers were ill. James stood in for which his team-mates were very grateful, and returned the favour by protecting him from anything resembling an attack. From the word go, our squad seemed to outnumber the opposition. Although the weather was kind, and the surface not too slippy in spite of overnight rain, the pitch was bumpy and sloping. Passing proved difficult and both teams struggled to keep possession. Ringmer's touch and movement soon came though, and Ben came deep to receive, and stroked a through ball on to Alex, beyond the defence, who rounded the keeper and scored. Wave after wave of attacks followed: Amir, in particular, was sometimes torn between shooting and passing. When Ben was tripped attacking the goal, a penalty was thumped in by Joss. In the second half, sustained pressure led to more goals. Kieran curled in a cross/shot from deep in midfield. The keeper failed to anticipate its spin, and fumbled, gifting Amir a welcome tap-in. Luke played Ben in for a nifty strike as the keeper advanced, and the first game was won 0-4.
Sunday 21st March 2010 : Ringmer Rovers 6 (2) v (0) 0 Jarvis Brook
Restarting the second game, the squad were a little lacklustre, but were awarded a penalty when the Brook defender was deemed to have used too much arm as he shouldered the ball in the penalty area. Ben despatched the spot-kick. Kieran had added another by exploiting a gap in the midfield, barrelling through and netting from outside the box. Callum, working hard as ever, and Tom had worked the right channel well, with Tom very comfortable in the defensive role, but providing good support going forward too. In the second half, Jack took over the right midfield position and immediately drew praise from his team-mates for not just quality crosses, but also tackling tenacity that his game sometimes lacks. After winning a corner himself, Jack took the perfect kick for Amir to meet with a sweet volley. The quality gap was now evident and Brook's squad, who had played fair throughout, lost hope somewhat. Ben's cross from the left wing floated across for William, who challenged strongly and the ball flicked on to Jack. He made no mistake, sinking a volley home. 5-0 was an own goal, from another Jack cross, and then it was Kieran playing Ben in for a neat finish: 6-0.
Morgan, quietly competent as ever in defence, had a spell in midfield, but both Joss and Conrad had rarely been troubled, and never caught out in central defence. Plenty to work on in training next week: better use of the wings seems to be a recurring theme. When we play the ball wide, we often score from the chances we create.
The Rovers' first ever double header was accomplished with style. A good attitude and adequate fitness levels from nearly all the squad; we'll be tested by stronger opposition in the weeks to come.
Sunday 14th March 2010 : Pembury Athletic 0 (0) v (8) 11 Ringmer Rovers
A professional performance against an opposition whose confidence was fragile.
With the Rovers instructed to start strongly again, it was no time at all before Ben found himself in front of goal, recovering from a blocked shot to net an opener. The following match report will be little more than a list of scorers, as time and time again, we snatched possession in midfield and, with patience and superior skill, showed mature, flowing football and goals naturally followed. Amir, then Alex; Kieran with two strikes from distance, making it a hat-trick of screamers for the week-end. Then Dan grabbed one, and then another goal seemed to be prevented, but the Pembury clearance only rolled out to Joss, who blasted a very well placed drive into the back of the net. Amir finished off the half with another goal for 8-0.
The Pembury boys have had a torrid season, and we were clearly not their ideal opposition, as we came with a mission to play neat, crisp passing football. The game was ours and in the second half we were able to rest several players for short spells to limit the potential for injury and exhaustion. In truth the result was a less organised squad, but with players getting a taste of unfamiliar positions. Among the experiments were Conrad as a midfield playmaker; Morgan surging from left back in an offensive role; and Amir, in the right midfield channel, who supplied a diagonal ball, flicked on by Dan's header, into Ben's path with just the keeper to beat, and he didn't hesitate to net. Ben added another, clipping in Alex's cross: Alex had made space and time for himself all day on the left, and had been the origin of many of our best moves. Finally, Luke turned in number eleven as the ball rebounded off the post from Dan's effort. Another quiet day for the defence and goalkeeper. Tom and James had kept the wide defensive positions quiet, and Adam, in goal, called well, and kept his concentration through the many quiet spells.
A great week-end for the Rovers: two wins, some great support; even the weather was good. A big thanks to all the Mums, on Mothering Sunday, for allowing your boys to play: you can all be very proud!
Saturday 13th March 2010 : Ringmer Rovers 3 (2) v (1) 1 Sedlescombe Rangers
A dominant display against a skilful opposition who ultimately ran out of ideas.
From the kick-off the Sedlescombe boys showed skill and pace, and quickly strung together half a dozen passes before breaking down in front of our defence. They weren't to know that would be one of their longest spells of possession. Kieran and Luke quickly established dominance in midfield: quicker to respond to loose balls and when Amir was through for the first time, he outpaced the last defender and tested the keeper with a shot on target. Before the opposition had made an attack, we kept the pressure on, with Tom's early cross nearly paying off, Ben's buzzing presence distracting the defence, but then Amir received the ball, shook off two defenders, kept control, and finished past the advancing keeper after only six minutes.
With our defence as deep and impenetrable as the Amazon, the Rangers players didn't seem to fancy exploring beyond the half way line for long periods. When they did, Conrad or Morgan were timing every challenge to perfection, with Joss more vocal than ever in his role as Captain, controlling things with calm assurance. Calm assurance sometimes, and enormous wellied clearances when required, that is. The action was mostly in the centre, and although Alex made plenty of running, we used the wings less than usual. The Sedlescombe boys conceded several fouls, trying desperately to dispossess our pacy squad. Giving away a free kick anywhere in their half is an invitation to face a Joss pile-driver. Unfortunately , these were uncharacteristically off target or saved on three occasions in the first half. But when Amir received the ball under barely legal pressure on the edge of the box, he quickly laid the ball off to Kieran, who blasted a screaming 20 metre drive into the back of the net, with the keeper sprawling.
Two-up, we were comfortable, and were dealing with a minor incursion into our defence when James cut off the run of a Sedlescombe striker, and the referee awarded a direct free kick. A double blow followed: a goal from the kick, and coincidentally Kieran sidelined with a knock to his knee. However, Dan came on and Ben dropped into midfield, and we looked steady, holding out easily till half time.
Restarting, we applied the same pressure and possession play. The Sedlescombe defence had doubled up on Amir, but he still outpaced them and, after a time, produced a free kick. Joss's strike was placed perfectly in the far post side netting. With dominance established, and the sticky pitch draining the Rangers' energy, the fight left them, and the match deteriorated a bit. Luke was upended and came off following a very poor high, late challenge. This resulted in only a booking, and another followed when Callum was too quick for a lunging Rangers defender, and Joss's free kick was another close shave. Our squad showed great maturity in keeping to our game plan and not falling into the trap of degenerating into pub football.
George had another quiet day in goal, but never lost his concentration when needed, and kicked well. Thanks to Sam, who ran the line, and to spectators who were as always a credit to the squad, encouraging and positive.
Today's was an important match if we have plans to top the table: our quality today showed that is a very real ambition.
Sunday 7th March 2010 : Tonbridge C 1 (1) v (5) 12 Ringmer Rovers
Isn't it nice when a plan comes together?
The squad did everything we asked and came away with the win, and glowing compliments from the opposition, spectators, and even the referee.
With Tonbridge C propping up the division, and having beaten them twice this season already, we could have failed to commit to the game, and lazily scrambled a win. But we asked the squad to attack the game and strike early. 4-0 within the first 15 minutes showed we did that, but letting too many chances slip by led to a minor slump and only a 5-1 scoreline at half time. Reenergised we took the same approach in the second half, and were even more convincing winners, closing out the game without conceding again, or even looking like doing so.
The first crushing blow was maybe the goal of the game. Building from the right, Tom received the ball, and as instructed, sent an early ball in to Ben, who tracked its looping path in the icy breeze and volleyed home under pressure. The second from Ben was a striker's instinctive poke at Amir's shot, to deflect it safely in. Developing a move from deep in midfield, Kieran found himself with time and space to place a perfect ball through the defence on to Alex's pacy run, and cool far post finish. Amir bagged one of his own, before Alex finished a delightful move where the midfield and strikers kept possession in the opposition's half until the moment was right, and Alex was set free on the left with just the excellent 'keeper to beat. At some point we conceded after losing possession in front of goal, but it was a solitary error from an assured defence.
Our possession-oriented defence was working well, with the back-pass being used as a creative rather than negative manoeuvre. We'll be working on its slick execution, as quicker, keener teams will chase down any lapses of control: we got lucky once or twice.
Well here goes for a summary of the remaining goals in the second half: Looping deflected drive from Luke 6-1; passing move, Ben finds Alex to complete his hat trick 7-1; Amir scrambles home in the goalmouth 8-1; Amir, one-on-one with keeper, blasts in for hat-trick 9-1; Ben tripped in box, Joss selects the penalty taker, and scores the place kick under the diving keeper 10-1; Joss plays a one-two with Luke and nets from the edge of the box 11-1; Alex finishes a great game with his fourth after Kieran and Ben were involved in the build-up.
Adam, in goal, had very few touches, but played well, dealing with back passes with certainty and no hesitation. Morgan, James and Conrad all made important contributions; anticipating danger, cross-covering and maintaining a defence that looked impossible to breach.
Credit is due to the Tonbridge team who maintained a sporting attitude, and we look forward to meeting the four teams we have yet to play in the league.
Sunday 7th February 2010 : Tonbridge C 3 (1) v (2) 9 Ringmer Rovers
Kieran may grab the headlines, but an all-round team performance saw the Rovers recover from a slow start to a resounding victory.
Running out across the heavy Tonbridge pitch, the players could have been forgiven for their lack of familiarity with grass beneath their feet, as it is seven weeks since playing or training other than on the school playground. Perhaps that explains our clumsy start to the match, against one of our league's strugglers. Nevertheless we somehow bundled the ball over the line after six minutes (Amir or Ben, not really sure), and made a start. Ten excruciating minutes of poor play led to a loss of possession in midfield and Tonbridge scored an equaliser. A few attacks started to materialise, but only after bringing Ben back into midfield did we begin to keep our shape, and a flurry of well placed passes saw Alex beat the keeper with a neat finish.
Tonbridge responded with pressure; Kieran's resistance was too forceful for the referee, and his dissent after the decision was cautioned. Keeping admirable control after that, who should seal the half with a well-taken chance from close range, but Kieran himself. Nevertheless, we were ragged and barely in front at the interval.
We restarted unchanged in personnel, but transformed in attitude. Crisp passing in midfield, an incisive run forward by Luke, and the ball fell for Ben whose shot was too strong to be deflected by the keeper's save. After running hard but struggling to make an impact today, Callum then yielded for Jack on the right, and after two or three good touches he gave the team confidence to use the width of the pitch. The best goal of the game soon followed with Kieran to Jack to Ben to Luke to Alex and a cool finish. Amir finished a similarly incisive move, and the opponents were well beaten with 15 minutes to go. They could not penetrate our midfield, even after Ben came off for William, and we resorted to 4-4-2. In defence, Conrad and Joss started to use their skill and training to pass their way out of what little trouble came their way, using width and depth to retain possession. George dealt with the back passes when required, clearing with width and distance. James had a steady game at left back, pressing forward when appropriate, challenging and clearing effectively when necessary. On the opposite side of defence, Tom showed great calmness and control, and provided intelligent and measured support for Jack's forward runs.
The Kieran show had by now restarted: it was his birthday, after all. Shooting from the edge of a packed penalty area, he netted off a Tonbridge shin, and moments later, in a champagne moment, he drilled a corner kick at crossbar height, and the keeper's attempt to keep it out at the near post was futile. Who would deny a birthday hat-trick?
With Kieran and Luke rested for the final five minutes, and Amir, Alex and Ben supposedly in midfield, we were a potent attacking force. Callum was rewarded for his persistence with a goal after coming back on, but we left our defenders exposed too often. Credit then to the Tonbridge boys for finding the good sportsmanship and energy to rap our knuckles for complacency, scoring twice more before the end.
With many matches in hand to catch up with the other teams in the League, this win needs to be followed by two more in the coming weeks against two of our toughest rivals. A dress rehearsal today, perhaps; same place next week, against Tonbridge B, who currently top the table.
