RIMMER’S ROVERS RISE TO LIVERPOOL CHALLENGE

The combined strengths of Crosfields Orange, Blue and Yellow teams came together under the direction of Paul Rimmer to take on the best that Liverpool could offer at the Mossley Hill under 7s Tournament, 30 August 2009. Under the new team name of “Crosfields Rovers”, Patrick Rimmer, Ewan Smith, Will Grace, Ben Griffiths, Alex Stanners and Taylor Williams ran out to face their challengers in the first three seeding matches under increasingly heavy Liverpool skies. The strong wind blowing across Mossley Hill gave advantage to the team with it on their backs; as there was no half time for these 10 minute matches, winning the toss was a definite tactical advantage. Our boys’ first match against MAGS JFC was a strong early test. Although Rovers were playing downhill it was into the wind, and MAGS settled quickly putting our defence under pressure with strong runs down the centre and the right. After weathering the storm we broke down the left only to be pushed back and Ben made a strong block to deny MAGS further progress into our half. Soon after though MAGS made a decisive move, a quick throw in led to a clean strike which beat Ewan at his right-hand post. This was followed up a moment later, after we lost possession from the re-start, with a MAGS shot through the forest of Rover’s legs to Ewan’s left. The game ended 0-2, and it was a well played, cleanly contested first match. By our second match, Rovers had settled well into this style of tournament play and were ready for whatever Marshalls JFC threw at them. We were playing uphill with the wind on our backs and Will took charge early directing the team with Patrick and Ben supporting up front, Alex in midfield and Ewan defending for Taylor in goal. This match was a true end to end battle, Marshalls’ corners blocked by Ewan and Alex, with play passing forward quickly with Will’s darting runs through the middle and Ben’s play down the wing. Taylor made some excellent saves and Rovers earned a well deserved 0-0 draw in a very strong second match. By the time of our third match, our six young heroes had gelled well into a team but the wind was picking up, picnic chairs were being blown over and spectators were making a beeline for the sanctuary of the tea and coffee stand. Fortunately we won the toss and elected to play with the wind on our backs. From the off, we were dominant, we pressed quickly into their half and our free kick on the edge of their area needed a good save to stop us from opening the scoring. Ben and Patrick linked up well and Ben kept their keeper busy with a number of shots which needed good saves to deny us a goal. Against the run of play they struck a lucky shot which Will valiantly saved but unfortunately carried it over the line. Their second came from another run against play down the left and the final 0-2 score line flattered the opposition in what was a great game from Rovers. Our point from the previous three games earned us a match against Team Oasis for a place in the quarter finals. By now the skies had started to release their rain, although the light drizzle was accompanied by a drop in the wind. Rovers started strongly Patrick clearing his lines whenever the ball came near our goal and Ewan making well timed vital tackles on the edge of the box. Suddenly against the run of play the ball broke into our area and one of the Oasis players stepped up to drive this into our goal. Within the next minute we should have been level had Taylor’s well hit shot not first bounced off their right hand post but also ricocheted along the face of the goal to rebound off the left hand post! This was quickly followed by a superb through ball from Taylor to a sliding Ben who just missed contact which would have surely seen us scoring inside their right hand post. Our hopes of levelling the game ended when Oasis pressed forward and on clearing our lines the ball rebounded off one of their players and went in for their second goal. The whistle blew marking the end to an excellent series of matches and a performance our team could be very proud of. Although the heavens then opened; Patrick, Ewan, Will, Ben, Alex and Taylor left the field with smiles on their faces - proudly wearing their participation medals after enjoying a great afternoon of football.