UNDER 12’S C – “RUSTHALL UNITED”

Firstly my apologies for not getting a report out in the Rustic or onto the web page for some considerable time.

It has been a very difficult start to the season as we initially started with only 8 players signed on.  This has meant that we have been borrowing players from the U11’s squad on a regular basis just to field a team each week.

My sincere thanks to Mike Ryan and his squad, without whom, we would not have managed to fulfil our fixtures so far.

As far as the squad is concerned, we are slowly building.  This weekend we did managed to sign an additional player making our numbers up to 12.  However, this still does not enable us to field a full squad each week as some players are proving very difficult to get hold of from one week to the next.  We are absolutely desperate for players in this age group and would ask everyone to “bring a friend” if they know of anyone interested in playing football.

Training has been a problem as well this season, as our designated training slot is Wednesday evenings and only 3 or 4 of the squad can manage a Wednesday.  We are hoping to move this to a Thursday evening in an effort to get as many of the team together as possible and be able to use the time constructively as a squad.

With all the teething problems this year, I have to confess I am extremely proud of this team.  They have pulled together in such a way and welcomed the support of the U11’s every week with open arms.  They turn up week in week out, regardless of results and enjoy their football.  Results have improved over the weeks and the squad is currently sitting mid league table which I am surprised at and very pleased with.

To bring us up to date, I have outlined our initial games up to this weekend.

9^th September 2007 - Ringmer 11 v Rusthall 2

We lost this game 11 – 2 but played with only 8 under 12’s.  The rest of the squad was made up of Under 11’s which can be very daunting at their age to have to play up an age group with a team that have never played together before.  Regardless of age group, the boys played very well for the first game with a good effort being put in all round.

16^th September 2007 - Rusthall 0 v Roselands 8

CUP GAME

First round of the Cup and unfortunately we lost again.  However this poor result does not reflect the quality of the game.  The boys fought hard and put in a really good effort.  This is a result that was not deserved.

23^rd September 2007 - Rusthall 1 v Langton 2

This is the first game where as the boys really looked like a team.  Pulling together with the Under 11’s they played with immense spirit and although they lost the game, the goal difference tells its own story.

30^th September 2007 - Rusthall 4 v Tonbridge Invicta 1

We won!  Our first victory.  You have never seen a team of players with spirits lifted as high as this team today.  And a well deserved win it was.  The boys came together, again with the Under 11’s, to form a really positive team who played together as a unit.  They really started to believe in each other and this morale boost could not have come at a better time for them.  Fantastic performance all round.

7^th October 2007 - Ashurst Wood 7 v Rusthall 3

Ashurst Wood was top of the League when we met them.  The team were obviously nervous but encouraged by last week’s performance.  They played very well as a unit again and unfortunately the score again does not reflect the quality of the game.

14^th October 2007 - NO GAME

21^st October 2007 - East Peckham 7 v Rusthall 2

I missed this game following an accident on my motorbike so I am unable to report.   However, I am told the boys played well again and their spirits are not dampened by their results.

28^th October 2007 - Wadhurst 7 v Rusthall 1

This game did not start well.  We managed to lose two players on the way to Wadhurst, one of whom was the goalie!  This meant starting a game with players in the wrong positions and no subs on the line.  Our opponents were quite an aggressive side which is something the boys have not really come up against so far.  I was pleased when the final whistle went but do not feel the 7 – 1 result was a far one on the team.

4^th November 2007 - Rusthall 4 v Uckfield 3

A difficult game.  It was a messy game, a little scrappy and Rusthall were down 2 – 0 at first.  The boys did not give up or drop their heads they just fought on.  It is this spirit and love of the game that pulled the team together as they worked hard to pull back goal after goal.  From 2 – 0 down they turned the game in their favour and won 4 – 3.  Excellent performance well deserved.

11^th November 2007 - Rusthall 2 v Rotherfield 5

This week we came up against the team sitting top of the League.  Having struggled early on this year we did not expect much from the lads in this game.

We found ourselves 3 – 0 down at half time although it probably should not have been.  We had chances but once again saw them wide over or saved, everywhere except in the back of the net.

The second half was much better and the game ended up 5 – 2 to Rotherfield.  However, I must say a huge well done to all the lads for their efforts. 

Looking back over the season so far, it has been very difficult but things are beginning to come together now with the team growing in numbers and in strength.  Keep your spirits high boys, you really are doing a fantastic job and your results so far have not really reflected the quality of the game you have played.

 

Rusthall Football Club

 

Under 12 United - 2007/8 Reports