U11 Girls WIN Anchorians Tournament!

At the crack of dawn, Risers U11 girls travelled to Gillingham to compete in the Anchorians Tournament. The sun was beating down but was fortunately accompanied by a welcome breeze.

The team we’re going to need to finish in the top two of their group to progress to the semi finals and the opposition was of an incredibly high standard.

The team made light work of all of their opponents registering 3 wins and a draw against local rivals Herne Bay Rangers. All matches were played in the usual spirit and Risers topped the group.

Our semi final was against Anchorian Hearts and was a stalemate until the final whistle meaning that a penalty shootout was necessary to split the teams.

Our girls converted every single one of their spot kicks and Bethan was able to keep out one of our opponents’. The team progressed to the final to face Medway.

The momentum remained with Risers and their confidence was at an all time high. A hard fought game ended 1-0 to our girls and it was a fitting end to what has been a superb season!!

Well done team and Neil and parents, a fabulous morning!

- Carl

U11 Girls v TW Foresters

In their final encounter of the league season the loquacious U11G squad travelled, once again, to Tunbridge Wells to face the ever-welcoming Foresters team.

Captain Charlotte won the toss and decided to play with the benefit of the slope in the first half and the girls were reminded to ensure they capitalised on this as much as possible.

The first 20 minutes proved tight and even the well drilled rotisserie of roll-on roll-off substitutions failed to break the deadlock until Angelica final threw caution to the wind and struck home from distance.

The Risers players seemed to relax and settle into the game thereafter and the give ‘ n ‘ go drills that they had worked on became almost instinctive as they carved open the Foresters again and again.

The second half followed an identical pattern with valiant defending from Foresters being constantly tested by the Rising Stars machine.

This game saw Madison regaining much of her early season form meaning that she was impossible for the opponents to deal with in midfield. Madison regularly linked up with Nancy, Scarlett, Ella M and Izzy and was a true thorn in the side of our hosts.

Lizzie had another incredible game and was the penultimate line of defence before the on-rushing strikers attempted to beat the ever-brilliant Bethan in goal.

This team, through every position, has proved itself to be a fun-loving and capable unit. The former, fun-loving, is a major factor in their success. Sport is about fun, first and foremost, and this group have reinforced this week after week. Everyone associated with this group of superb young people has learnt something. Community, spirit, desire, passion, hard work, commitment, understanding and acceptance to name but a few.

There is an ever increasing campaign known as

#thisgirlcan

Well, These girls definitely can.....and have!

We are all incredibly proud of you all and what you have achieved this season and look forward to supporting you all for many years to come.

- Carl

Match Report: U11 Girls v Guru Nanak

Ace photographer Steven sacrificed breaking in his new petrol lawnmower to make the journey to Gravesend this morning and my word, was it worth it.

Upon arrival the team could see their opposition warming up and the height advantage was clear to all. Our squad have grown used to setting these perceived advantages to one side and proceeded to warm up in their usual well drilled style.

The match was a close fought affair and the physical element was becoming more apparent but met with mature resistance from our team. There were moments in this match where a lesser group of footballers would have descended into calling out the referee on unseen misdemeanours, but this Rising Stars unit have become accustomed to simply getting on with what they do best; pass, move and attack.

A hat trick from Izzy was the least that this team deserved, creating chance after chance in the attacking third.

The defence was resolute in the face of adversity and Lizzie was once again a serious force to be reckoned with.

Coach Neil was particularly looking for effective link up play this week and Angelica was awarded the coach’s medal for her work in this area. She demonstrated a superb footballing brain throughout and the evidence of her hard work at training was there in abundance.

The future looks incredibly bright for this group of players and we, as parents, could not be prouder of their progress.

-Carl

Match Report: U11 Girls v TW Foresters

This week, this superb team made the journey across 3 international borders and two time zones to face TW Foresters. The journey down was fraught with with high winds, fallen trees and horizontal rain but this didn’t appear to dampen the spirit of this ever positive squad.

Our hosts showed early signs of great football which meant that our defence would need to be on their toes to snub out the early threat and they didn’t disappoint.

Bethan once again controlled her area well and made her presence felt throughout, particularly when closing the angles to deny on-rushing strikers.

The goals came from a variety of sources once again with Izzy, Nancy, Lexi and Ella M all adding to their already impressive tallies this season.

Scarlett, Madison and Angelica were stoic in midfield, providing passing moves that literally split the opposition in two on several occasions.

As ever, Lizzie worked tirelessly to ensure their attackers were never able to settle on the ball.

The journey home seemed somewhat shorter as the stories from the match were retold, no doubt in each player’s own unique way.

No fixture arranged...as yet...for next week but something tells me that this great group will find some way of getting together nevertheless!

-Carl

Match Report: U11 Girls v Maidstone Utd

Early signs of Storm Freya saw strong winds whistling down the length of the pitch at Swalecliffe this morning as the team faced Maidstone Utd.

Coach Neil asked the team to be mindful of the wind and we were fortunate enough to play into it for the first half.

It was a very close fought 25 minutes and our team nullified the perceived wind advantage throughout.

During the short break Coach Neil reminded the team that in order to capitalise on the conditions they would need to keep the ball on the ground and seize upon any opportunities in front of goal. As is becoming typical of this team, they took on board this advice and Izzy, Lexi and Maddison all registered on the scoresheet.

The support on the sidelines was once again superb and the official attendance was a “respect-line-busting” 35!

Bethan was given this week's coach’s award for her excellent decision making in goal. She took the conditions into account throughout the game and communicated effectively as ever!

Next week the team make the long journey to take on TW Foresters.

- Carl

Match Report: U11 Girls v Anchorian Hearts

February.....it is still February right?! With the sun beating down and the car heating systems set equally between the blue and the red the ever-keen Rising Stars U11G team headed to Gillingham to face a much admired Anchorian Hearts team.

The team and it’s growing following were feeling a little anxious when it transpired that Ella D was unwell and that we would be without our usual marshal in the final third against a very strong team. Coach Neil acted swiftly to rearrange the team to counter the threat of our opponents and briefed Lizzie on her new, albeit temporary role in defence.

The team were superb throughout and continued applying their learning of “1-2s” but coupled this with the heading drills that they had mastered on Friday evening.

The flowing football was a joy to watch and the pace of our team really took Anchorians by surprise.

Our team converted almost every opportunity in front of goal and three of our players; Ella M, Lexi and Nancy all registered on the scoresheet.

It was clear from the sidelines that the expectations of Coach Neil are growing as the weeks progress. His passionate instructions could be heard across the park and he clearly knows the capabilities, strengths and abilities of his players. His rotation of the squad was tactical and continual giving clear instructions to each player as they were reintroduced to the unfolding drama.

The support from the sidelines was intense. It was clear that the encouragement, to both teams, for the spectacle in front of us, was appreciated by all involved and is testament to the core values that this level of association football stands for.

Our opposition were unanimous in voting Lizzie our player of the match and this was no surprise to any of us! She was tireless, tenacious and good natured throughout! Our own dynamo who really deserved recognition.

Well done to Coach Neil and the team for another superb performance.

Next week we welcome Maidstone Utd to Swalecliffe and hope that we can continue this impressive run of performances.

- Carl

View fullsize

Match Report: U11 Girls v Larkfield Ladies

Blue skies and sunshine were the perfect backdrop for the visit of Larkfield Ladies to Swalecliffe this morning. The match was very well contested by both teams and both teams enjoyed very early goals in each half ensuring that there was everything to play for throughout.

Both teams played some excellent football but coach Neil was particularly impressed to see a plethora of “1-2s” a skill that had been worked on during training. This led to Izzy and Lizzie receiving a medal each in the coach’s regular award for recognition.

The team are beginning to master the ability to move the ball through the various channels and are becoming more clinical in front of goal. Lexi and Nancy were both on the scoresheet and once again the supporters were appreciative of such a great spectacle.

We wish our opposition a safe journey home and all the best for the remainder of the season.

- Carl