I’d like to begin this report by taking you back.

In the season of poor weather and Atlantic carried storms it is difficult to fulfil our fixtures and ensure that the team has a consistent and fluid set of fixtures. This doesn’t happen automatically. There are people behind the scenes who make decisions based on player safety and fixture compliance who work tirelessly to ensure that the majority are happy. 

In order to honour this fixture there were a series of questions to be answered.

• Was there a pitch that was playable?

• Is it safe for our opposition to travel?

• Is it safe for the match to take place?

None of these questions are taken lightly and it is credit to the infrastructure behind Rising Stars that this game went ahead....against the odds. You know who you are but, in brief, this is the coaches, the president, the chairman, the secretary and the fabulous lady in charge of fixtures!

As it happened, by no mere coincidence, our game was scheduled for a 1030 kick off at Archbishops School.
Our visitors, Margate Youth had had an excellent season and were looking to continue their winning run.

The game was played at a breakneck pace and the crosswind was a hindrance to both teams. Risers were looking sharp after the enforced break and the passages of play were becoming daunting to our opposition. Just before half time Margate capitalised upon a quickly taken throw in and managed to squeeze a shot past the ever improving Bethan in goal.

During the second half, Risers pressed time and time again but were not in favour with Lady Luck and ended up falling 2 behind through bad luck rather than shortfalls in their defence.

Needing to reverse the deficit, Risers through everything that they had at their opposition and this led to holes at the back. Margate seized upon this and ran out winners 0-3.

Despite the scoreline this was undoubtedly one of this team’s best performances with Bethan being a particular star in goal.

This match was really a testament to all that goes into youth football. 

Kaitelyn, our young and very promising referee, controlled the game with confidence beyond her years and it was a pleasure to welcome club president and secretary, Steve and Kathryn respectively, to this fantastic spectacle.

Next week we travel to Danson Sports to continue our cup run!

Carl