Rusthall Football Club

 

Under 10's Match Reports 2007/8

Under 10’s Managers Report
By Nick Graveney

Our last reported match was our success against Uckfield Grasshoppers 29^th of October. Our next match was another home game against Wadhurst on 10^th of November. Most managers would admit that home games are a pain in the a?*e. What with putting up goals , reffing and paperwork there is now the extra job of parking attendant. Since September and the growing success of mini- soccer and junior football at Rusthall FC, parking at Jockey Farm has been at a premium. When away teams arrive at 10.00am on a Saturday morning the only place to park is the pitch behind the clubhouse. This is fine in the dry weather of autumn, but after the first downpours this option is no longer available. It was after several congested Saturday mornings that the committee made the decision to hold as much training as possible at Southwood Road. I personally am very happy with this scenario. The playing surfaces at Southwood  Road always seem to dry quicker and we have not lost a single training session to the weather. It also has the added attraction of being able to train on full size pitches in preparation for next seasons 11 a-side. Training  at Southwood Road definitely has my approval.

Getting back to the Wadhurst game, our recent victories had given us the confidence  we lacked earlier in the season. Whilst as a manager you can tell your squad that they are good enough to compete with anyone, nothing drives home the point more than proof, in the form of wins under our belts. These recent wins were extended by another four straight wins against Wadhurst. The Lions won their two games 3-1 and 5-1 and the Tigers won their two games 5-2 and 3-2. The Lions goals came from Max Beaton (3), Joshua Platt (2), Ben Sykes, and Joseph Graveney (2). The Tigers goals came from Oliver Robins (2), Ashley Rodi (2), George Howard (2) and Harry Franklin (2). A superb performance by both teams. Thanks also to our volunteer refs, Marcus Franklin, Duncan Howard, JR, Ada Beaton and Luke Beaton.

Our first away game for some time came against local rivals Foresters on 24^th November 2007. This game was played on what must have been the coldest day of the year so far. As always our away support was fantastic and it would be fair to say, it probably out numbered the home supporters. On our arrival both pitches were “white” with frost and one was deemed unplayable by the local ground staff. This meant we had teams hanging around in the cold waiting for games to finish. This was a far from ideal situation but we agreed to these conditions in order to get the games played. We were rewarded for our patience with another good set of results with three wins and one draw. The results were as follows Foresters 0 Rusthall Lions1, Foresters 1 Rusthall Lions 4, Foresters 1 Rusthall Tigers3 and Foresters 1 Rusthall Tigers 1. Amongst the goals were Ashley Rodi (2), Joseph Graveney, Max Beaton , Matthew Figgett, Danny Newman (2),

and Louis Plunkett (2). After playing under such poor conditions it was testimony to the boy’s determination and temperament that we should have done so well. The teams were both beginning to gel again and our recent success can only breed more confidence. Credit must also go to the other members of the coaching staff , Luke and Jason, without

whom none of this success would have been possible. Here’s  to the rest of the season.

Nick.

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Since our first game of the season at Forest Row our fortunes have been mixed to say the least. After our good display at Forest Row our first home game was against Pembury. This had been earmarked as one of our tougher games of the season, as Pembury had come down into a division we had gone up into.

The performance on the day was very creditable. The Lions had a 0-0 draw and a 0-1 defeat and the Tigers had a 1-1 draw and a 0-2 defeat. Both games highlighted our strong defence and also our recent inability to score goals. The only goal in four games that day came from Louis Plunkett of the Tigers, who scored a spectacular goal from outside the box after a decent run from inside his own half. Further good efforts on goal from both Rusthall sides were thwarted by some great goalkeeping from Pembury.

Our next game was away at East Hoathley. A weakened side was no excuse for the performances on the day. Our opponents were a team we had faced last season and had done well against so my expectations were high. The first game for the Lions was a convincing 4-1 win. Goals from Joe Graveney (2), Max Beaton and George Stevenson had our supporters at the break, saying that this was the best they had seen the boys play. The goal from George  was a collectors piece, as being a defender he rarely makes it past the half way line. Secondly it was with his head in a position his dad said he would never score from. What does he know?  What followed that first game was nothing short of a disaster. The Lions were trounced 5-0 by a side no better than the first one. It may have been over confidence or the slight change in personnel but it bore no resemblance to the first game. Whilst the Tigers failed to win either game, both of their games were more even than those of the Lions. They lost the first game 2-1, with another rare goal from goalkeeper Oliver Collins during a stint on pitch, and lost the second game 2-0. The whole days play had Jason and myself scratching our heads, but after much soul searching we decided to put it down to experience and we had to concede that it was just one of those days.

Saturday 27^th October saw us play Uckfield Grasshoppers at home. After the previous matches I was concerned as to what the day may bring. Uckfield were an unknown quantity and whilst Jason and I  had asked the players for a big performance we still had our fingers crossed. We should have had more confidence . The Lions won the first game 6-1 with goals from Joe Graveney (2), Matthew Figgett (2), Bradley Pentecost and Jack Ronaldson. The second game was won 2-0 by the Lions with goals from Joe Graveney and Matthew Figgett. Special mention must go to Freddie Van’t Hoff who made some great runs and gave the Uckfield defence some headaches. He did manage to get the ball in the net, but it was ruled out by the ref (moi), for a handball incident by another Rusthall player in his assist to Freddie. Sorry. The Tigers also managed two wins. The first game was won 2-0 with goals from Louis Plunkett and George Howard . The second game was won 6-2 with goals from Louis Plunkett (3), Ashley Rodi (2) and George Howard. An excellent report on this game by Jason, is available on our web site.

Both Jason and myself were very pleased with the effort  put in by the players in these games and we can only hope that these results will give the squad the confidence to push on and make their mark in this new division.

Whilst up to the last game, the team on the pitch had been patchy, the team off the pitch have been superb. In this I mean the parents. As always our support home and away has been vocal to say the least. There has been no shortage of help for setting up the goals at home games and special thanks must go to Duncan Howard, Mark Sykes, Marcus Franklin , Ada Beaton and JR for taking a turn with the reffing. Thanks also go to Jason Plunkett, without who’s help in training or on match days we could probably not run two teams. Thanks also to Luke Beaton and we all wish him a speedy recovery from his recent injury. Lets keep up the good TEAM work.

Nick Graveney

Squad Members.

Lions: Ben Sykes, Joshua Platt, Jack Ronaldson, George Stevenson, Max Beaton, Joe Graveney, Matthew Figgett, Bradley Pentecost, Danny Newman, Jonathan Hickmott.

Tigers:Oliver Collins, Harry Franklin, Corentin Lindsay, Freddie Van’t Hoff, Robbie Rickard, Nayeem Ahmed, Louis Plunkett, George Howard, Jamie Powell, Ashley Rodi, Oliver Robins.

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Rusthall FC Lions & Tigers V Forest Row. 15^th September 2007

Under 10’s Managers Report by Nick Graveney

Although training started on the 18^th August we did not have a full attendance until Saturday 8^th September. This was just one week before our fixtures commenced. It’s understandable that many people will still be on their summer holidays , so why start the fixtures so early? Luckily the club had learnt from previous seasons that it was better to register as many players as possible before the summer break, so come September we had a full squad registered and ready to play. Due to our success   last season, we had been promoted to the next division up. The players deserved this promotion and should all be congratulated on their splendid efforts last season. Congratulations and thanks should also go to Jason and Luke for their input in training and on match days. The lack of preparation was even more worrying as we were now due to step up a level.

      Our first game this season was away to  Forest Row, who had also been promoted, although to date our paths had not crossed. We had a good turnout, with a near full squad available to play. The away support from our parents was as usual superb, lending both moral and vocal support to the team. The venue, in the heart of the Ashdown forest was a great place to play football. Players and supporters alike should appreciate the last of these warm sunny days that are ideal  for football. It will not be long before the  weather will turn, and cold wet conditions will be the norm. Below are the reports for the games we played compiled with the help of Jason Plunkett. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all players and parents a successful season and thank you for your continued support both on and off the field.

Forest Row 1  V  Rusthall Lions 2

The first 5 minutes of this game were a disaster. It was the first time we had played a competitive match at seven a side. The players had to adjust to new positions and the midfield playing wider with the central midfielder adopting a more defensive position. In those first minutes the lack of preparation was clear. It was not the players fault but some were not comfortable in the roles I had given them. It was not long before we went 1-0 down, but after a bit of reshuffling the team regained some composure and started to fight back. At half time we were still a goal down, but when the second half began we came out strong and  Joshua Platt soon got the equalizer from a corner. Confidence was regained and it was not long before the winner came from Max Beaton after a period of prolonged pressure. It was not all plain sailing as our Keeper kept us in the game after making several important saves. After a confused start, credit must go to all the players for battling back for their first victory of the season.

Forest Row 1 V Rusthall Lions 1

This was a game where the score did not reflect the performance. After our first win we started in a confident mood. Although playing uphill we had the best of the first half. Our passing was coming together and we looked more like the team that had done so well last season. Mid way through the first half , Joseph Graveney volleyed a low cross into the net to give the Lions the lead and notch his first goal of the season. Although we were dominant in the first half we had a few lucky escapes, when the skilful Forest Row left winger broke free only to be denied by the woodwork. When we started the second half kicking down hill, it was assumed that it would not be long before our lead would be increased. Despite plenty of corners and shots on goal we couldn’t get the ball in the net. Against the run of  play  Forest Row equalised after a free kick in our half when all our players were caught napping. This was to be the final score and an encouraging start to the Lion’s season.

Squad: Ben Sykes, Joshua Platt, George Stevenson, Matthew Figgett, Joseph Graveney, Jack Ronaldson, Bradley Pentecost, Max Beaton, Danny Newman

Forest Row 0  -  Rusthall Tigers 0

The Tigers started a little unsure of themselves, and were under early pressure from the home side, who were kicking down the slope. The Tigers managed to weather the early pressure and soon began to find form and played some good attacking football.  The main thrust came from George and Louis in midfield with  this pair looking the most likely to score. We were lacking a bit of pace upfront and the forward line had few chances on goal, which told as the game moved into the second half. The team played very well as usual in defence and  midfield, and did everything but score what would have been a well deserved goal, to take all three points.

Forest Row 1 -  Rusthall Tigers 0

Again this match was very much like the first, with the team playing some good attacking football through midfield and with breaks from the defence by Harry.

Ollie Collins was forced into a bit more action during this game and made several good saves. The team was again unable to find a goal which could have swayed the final outcome and were very unlucky to concede a late goal from the only real attacking move of the second half from the home side. The team kept on strong after conceding and were unlucky not to earn a draw when a shot from George hit the post right at the death.

Overall some promising performances through defence and midfield with Corantin finding what we believe to be a settled position as right back and Louis moving into midfield.

Work on turning the mid field effort into scoring is much needed in order to give the team a better chance of winning.

Squad: Oliver Collins, Harry Franklin, Corantin Lindsay, Freddie Van’t Hoff, George Howard, Ashley Rodi , Louis Plunkett, Oliver Robbins, Jamie Powell.