Match Report: U11 Colts v Thanet United Vikings

The game was end to end in the first few minutes, with Hayden busy in defence, Ryan commanding midfield, and Sam going close with the first shot of the game. Noah went on a great run on the left but couldn’t quite get the cross in. The game was mostly played in midfield, with both sides struggling to make a real impact. Dylan and Ashley put in some good runs, Ellis defended well and Theo was dominant in midfield. Blake didn’t see too much action, but made several, good safe saves. After an uncertain bit of defending, Thanet scored the opener. Gideon was resolute in midfield, never giving up and going on some good runs. The Risers were opened up for the second time and Thanet doubled their lead. Dylan and Noah continued working hard in midfield, Harry tackled well and Blake made an excellent save.

Half time injected some energy and the Risers looked threatening straight away with a corner. Ellis continued to defend well and Dylan put in another excellent run but was just offside. Fin, Noah and Sam linked well and were threatening Thanet’s goal continuously. The pressure kept coming, with Fin shooting just wide and Hayden, just over. Completely against the run of play, Thanet scored again, followed by a great save from Blake. The Risers kept pressuring with Fin, Gideon and Sam all attacking effectively and Ashley working hard on the right. Theo moved back into defence and did a great job of partnering Ellis. The game closed with more frantic attacking from Fin and Ryan, but the goal just wouldn’t come. A well deserved man of the match award went to Theo, for his hard work in both midfield and defence. 

Jan

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Match Report: U10 Youth v Snowdon & Aylesham

Risers u10s were up against it before kick off with a number of absences and late fitness test for keeper Ethan. Thankfully the #1 was passed fit on the morning of the game and a debut call up for Theo from the Colts ensured Risers were ready to take on Snowdon & Aylesham. 

Upon arriving at the opponents ground, Risers were met with horrendous driving rain and wind. Thankfully, the game was on AstroTurf and the game kicked off as planned. Risers were soon into their stride, with debutant Theo leading the press and the team finding inroads down the left flank. An early attack ended with Sonny bundled over in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Charlie stepped up and tucked the penalty into the bottom corner to give Risers an early lead. A second followed swiftly as Sonny cut in from the left onto his favoured right foot and, via a slight deflection, doubled Risers’ lead. Risers then began to make inroads down the right hand side with Jake’s strong running; only a number of strong tackles prevented further joy for Risers. 

As the half progressed, Snowdon & Aylesham got a foothold in the game and began to threaten. Theo and Lorenzo mopped up most of these attacks but eventually the pressure told and the opponents got a goal back. Another long ball over the top caused confusion at the back and their striker nipped in to draw them level. Only a number of solid saves, with great handling in the rain, from Ethan prevented risers going behind before the break. 

The Risers coaches made some adjustments at half-time and pinned back Snowdon & Aylesham almost immediately. After a series of dangerous set pieces, Sonny whipped in a corner and a defender headed past his own keeper. Further pressure led to another corner and this time Lorenzo’s low delivery was turned into the roof of the net by the debutant to cap an impressive display.  With Risers comfortably in the lead, some strong challenges were exchanged, leading to Lorenzo departing the pitch temporarily for treatment. Despite being down to six men for a time, Risers kept the ball intelligently to secure a hard fought victory. 

Tim

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Match Report: U11 Colts v Wye Juniors

The game was immediately off to a lively start with an immediate corner to Wye, well dealt with by Blake. After a few minutes of even play, Wye began to pile the pressure on, with Ashley and Hayden putting in vital tackles. Wye gained three consecutive corners, the pressure ending eventually with a shot over the bar. With the ball at the other end, Ryan took a good shot before Blake was again called on to make a good save. A great move from Dylan to Fin, resulted in the first goal and delight from the boys! Wye immediately resumed their attack but just a few minutes later the Risers doubled their lead from a corner, which was shot into the top corner by Hayden. Both Dylan and Fin put in good shots before Wye went close, hitting the bar. The game was being played at a fast pace from end to end and within a couple of minutes Wye scored two goals and were level. In the last minutes of the half, the Risers added more pressure, with Noah, Harry and Theo all putting in great work and runs from midfield. After a corner, Ellis scored, putting the Risers ahead again. 

The second half began with an equaliser from Wye, soon followed by a fourth goal. Gideon played consistently well in midfield and set up Dylan for the Risers fourth, all square again! Gideon, Ryan and Noah linked beautifully in midfield, sustaining effective runs forward. Blake was still busy at the other end, consistently making great saves. Wye were pushing us hard, causing Blake, Ellis and Hayden to work very hard. Noah put in another great run on the wing, passing to Fin who shot well but just over. The Risers kept fighting and putting great balls forward. Sam showed some great touches, troubling their defenders each time. Wye hit the post again before scoring twice in quick succession. Ashley kept going with some beautiful play on the right wing, but time was running out. A highly entertaining and nail-biting game, with great performances from both teams. 

Jan

Match Report: U11 Colts v Ramsgate FC

The game began brightly and within a couple of minutes Fin had scored the opener for the Risers, a great start! Ramsgate were quickly down the other end, with Hayden and Ellis needing to put in some solid defending. Blake made a good save but the ball rebounded out and Ramsgate scored the equaliser. The game was end to end but the Risers began to dominate, with Ryan putting in a good shot, saved by the keeper. A great passing move from Dylan and Ashley down the right resulted in our second goal, put in by Dylan. Ramsgate kept fighting, earning a corner which was well saved by Blake. A third goal was added by Ryan with a clever chip over the keeper. As the first half came to a close, Theo and Harry worked hard in midfield, Hayden and Noah joined up well in defence and Sam hit the crossbar with a powerful shot. Just before the half time whistle, Sam scored with a skilful tap across the line. A dominant first half. 

The second half began with a good shot from Theo hitting the side netting. Ramsgate then broke at the other end and scored a good team goal. Ryan continued to play well in midfield and Noah went on a good run, which resulted in a free kick. Again, there was immediate action at the other end, with Ramsgate scoring again and narrowing the gap. Harry was putting in a great performance in midfield and combined well with Noah down the wing. Ryan defended well, setting up yet another great move from Noah. Fin was still threatening Ramsgate’s goal and put in a powerful shot. In the last minutes, Ellis and Hayden continued to defend well, Ramsgate earned a corner, which was defended by Ryan and caught by Blake, and Ashley earned a corner for the Risers. End to end play resulted in a tense ending but a well-deserved end for the boys. Another great, team performance. 

Jan

Match Report: U11 Youth v Whitstable Town

A very dominant risings stars took on Whitstable Town under 11s on Sunday.

Some very strong performances from everyone.

Whistable struggled to get out of their own half for much of the game. With Rising Stars pressing every ball. And pushing high up the pitch. The boys played excellent football with great passes and constant moving of the ball. Causing whistable alot of problems through out the whole game.

Well done Felix for a well deserved MOTM.

Gareth

Match Report: U12 Girls Colts v Faversham Town Girls

The Riser girls started the match as they ended the derby the week previously, full of energy and verve, and on the attack.  From the first minute, they were camped inside Faversham’s half. Marcie C was causing havoc with her darting runs and burgeoning skills, a highlight being a drag-back which won an early corner.  Unlike last week, Risers were soon able to make the pressure tell, with Kaci-Lei shooting across the keeper from just inside the six-yard box and finding the bottom left-hand corner.  This was the first of four goals on the day for the prolific Kaci-Lei, including a nerveless penalty. 

From then on it was clear that this was going to be a one-sided match, with three goals coming in short succession, including a quick brace from Polly - one of which being a sublime chip over the keeper. Fuelled by her morning pancakes, she went on to complete her hat-trick in the second half – a perfect early birthday present!  

A quarter of the way through the match, Risers swapped keepers in an attempt to balance the teams, with Marcie C going in goal after a fine performance with the gloves the week before.  Ruby made the most of her extra time on pitch, with two well-taken goals.  

Risers changed the team around for the second half to give players a chance to try out different positions.  Marcie M immediately made the most of the rare opportunity to leave her own half. Within a minute of being given permission to move up the pitch, she had collected the ball on the half-way line, proceeding to go on a weaving run past three defenders, before completing a great solo effort with a calm left-footed finish – her first goal of the season. 

The Faversham defenders showed good skills, moving the ball well and always trying to push forward. They were resilient and had it not been for lockdown they would have had much more match experience to bring to their first ever league season.

It’s not easy playing in such a one-sided game but, as always, the Riser girls were very considerate of the other team, taking care to mute their celebrations whenever they scored.  Instead, they used the opportunity to play with more freedom; passing the ball around in defence and cultivating some lovely moves from the back, notably with Aaliyah finding some good positions and going on a number of powerful runs, demonstrating how her confidence is growing by the week. Larissa managed to bag her first goal of the season with a good assist from Marcie M, while Izzy was also showing her attacking instincts when given the chance to play in a forward position. Amelia and Libby were determined, always closing down to deny Faversham any space with the ball. Ela again cemented her midfield position, with a beautifully struck goal from a fair distance just before the close. 

Richard M

Match report: U12 Girls Youth v U12 Girls Colts (AKA the Derby derby!)

Sunday 4 October saw the first Derby derby of the 2020-21 season, the regular fixture that will see Rising Stars U12 Girls Youth play Rising Stars U12 Girls Colts, in what is now known as the Derby derby Shield! 

It was a really competitive and entertaining game that had coaches and spectators gripped. The fixture took place on a sunny Sunday morning at the new ground shared by both teams (St Ed's Jackman's Fields), using the newly purchased 9v9 goals (thanks to the Football Foundation). There were lots of chances on goal for both teams, but late in the first half the U12 Girls Youth went ahead with a cross in from the right that evaded three Colts defenders before being stroked into the back of the net by Bea Fa, with an assist from Grace. 

Undeterred, the Colts started the second half very strong, and after numerous chances were unlucky to equalise. But the Youth squad had dug deep to protect their lead. There were some great 1v1 battles in different areas of the pitch, in a game that was testament to how both squads are committed to their football and can raise their game when they need to.

It ended with the U12 Youth the victors - coach Kathryn awarding the shield to Connie, their captain. Bring on the next Derby derby!

Kathryn

Match Report: U11 Colts v Monkton

On a chilly afternoon, the boys began brightly with an early shot from Dylan. At the other end, Ellis cleared well into the safe hands of Blake. The Risers had the majority of the play with some good through balls from Hayden and great forward passing from Harry and Gideon. Monkton were still fighting and earned a corner which was defended by Ellis. Theo, too was strong in defence, passing well into midfield. Dylan was looking more and more threatening with some brilliant runs on the right wing, troubling Monkton every time. Harry and Dylan worked well to keep the ball in play, crossing to Sam, who scored the opening goal. There was nearly an immediate second after yet another great run from Dylan. Ryan and Ashley worked tirelessly in midfield, getting more and balls through to Fin, who was looking strong up front. Ryan put in a great run down the right, passing to Fin, who shot just wide. The half ended with the Risers dominant and confident.

The second half saw more of the same, until Monkton had a couple of chances, well saved by Blake. Noah went on a skillful run, shooting just wide. The next attack saw Ryan score from a great shot from outside the box. More strong attacking led to a free kick and a great goal from Ellis. It seemed that Fin had added a fourth, but it was called offside. Not to be denied, Fin ensured he was on the score sheet, just moments later, with a confident strike. It was all one way now, with Harry and Noah working hard in midfield and a great pass from Sam to Fin giving Fin his second within minutes. An unfortunate own goal from Monkton added another and we were into the final minutes of the game. Blake had one more save to make before a final corner led to a cool header from Hayden, adding the afternoon’s last goal. An absolutely brilliant team performance from the boys; as Sam said in his post-match talk, ‘that is how you play football!’

Jan