Report

Raiders Reap Rewards in the Rain

More “summer football” for the lads to enjoy today as we came up against last season’s Division 1 Champions Whickham in the first ever meeting of the two sides.

The lads were eager to get the game underway after spending half an hour warming up in the rain and with a slippery surface underfoot it looked as though goalkeepers and defenders would have to extra vigilant with their handling and decision making.

The lads got off to a good start with Connor exceptional in the middle of the park. His distribution was excellent and he also seemed to be in the right place at the right time to intercept the majority of balls the Whickham lads attempted to play out from their defence.   

With Ben taking up some good positions on the left and Josh playing to the right of the mid-field three, Raiders looked dangerous and subjected the opposition to early pressure without creating a clear cut opportunity. The lads won countless corners but again failed to penetrate until Ben was fed a great ball by Connor and put a lovely low cross into the box which Sam C managed to control and stabbed home for a deserved lead.

Half time arrived with the score at 1 – 0 and without the Raiders goal having been seriously threatened.

Reece, Tom, Edward and James were all included as the second half got under way and the Sky blues domination continued. It was good to see the lads start keeping possession of the ball and working it around at the back.

Reece was playing some fantastic short corners from the right which were creating havoc in the Whickham box, he added some great deliveries from open play too and there was no doubt that the lads from Gateshead were under the cosh but their keeper was performing heroics with several top class saves keeping them in the game.

Raiders dominance did pay off in the second half with James, Josh, Edward and Ben adding to the score line and it was very pleasing to see Tom back after a bout of shingles contribute with two goals of his own.

Conner came off mid-way through the second half to a round of applause from players, coaches and parents a-like for a man-of-the-match performance in which he had shown how competent and capable a player he is.

Whilst the whole squad once again contributed to the victory I would also like to mention how disciplined the defence has been over the opening games of the season and even though he was not involved in the game too much today Elliot again remained focussed and both Aiden and Scott looked dangerous when they ventured forward with Scott unlucky not to get a goal from his surging runs and Aiden always giving the opposition something to think about from set plays.

Final score 7 – 0

Well done to the lads for their performance in very wet conditions and a special thanks to the parents for your support on not the brightest of summer days!

MU