Reports

24 January 2010

Fleet Spurs Santos 0 - 4 Rudridge Ravens

A very good performance after such a long break.
Fleet started very well with some good passing and it took Ravens a little while to get in their stride but after a good move down the right Luke found himself through on goal and poked the ball past the goalie for the opener. Ravens were then able to take control and James M finished neatly to make it 2 -0 at half time. The defence were still being asked a lot of by a very good forward line but held firm throughout.
The second half was very similar with Rob collecting 2 goals and making the final score 4-0. The team play was particularly pleasing today with the midfield working extremely hard and chasing down every ball and putting in some very good challenges. Alex played well in goal making some important saves and was grateful to George when he made a last ditch block when a goal against looked far more certain.
MOM Olly
Effort Award Tom B
Graham

08 November 2009

Rudridge Ravens 1 - 0 Fleet Spurs Boca

What a performance!

This was the match that everyone had been looking forward to, the opposition had been talking up for weeks and we were all ready to do our best to match them. The Boca are the highest placed side we have ever faced and this was to be a true test of how we have improved over the last couple of seasons.
the game started as expected with Fleet moving the ball around well and making it difficult for the Ravens to get into any rhythm. The Ravens made some great challenges and this seemed to settle everyone down and we too started to play a bit of football when we had the ball. As we grew in confidence the challenges became stronger and the distibution of the ball became more measured. It was our first meaningful break into the Boca's half that saw Tom B hit a fierce shot that whilst saved well but the goalie fell free and Josh was first to react and finish very neatly. With the Ravens 1 Nil up the whole team lifted their game once more, Alex making some important stops in goal and looking very safe in his decision making and handling.
With a free kick awarded to Ravens we pushed men forward and after another fierce drive from Tom B Josh was on hand to poke in our second, all the Ravens were extatic but the euphoria was short lived as the linesman had spotted someone in an offside position. The reaction from the Ravens was superb and everyone got back in position and prepared to restart the game.
Half time Ravens 1 Boca 0
The second half carried on in the same way with Boca having much of the possession but creating very little in the way of chances. The workrate of all the Ravens was outstanding and this is how we were able to hold onto the lead. As the second half drew to a close it appeared the supporters were more anxious than the players who continued to tackle hard and play some very intelligent passes when we had the opportunity. When the final whistle went the place errupted as the boys celebrated their biggest win yet. With a rousing 3 cheers for the Boca who had played well but found our defense to strong and organised to breech the celebrations began.

Well done to you all, no man of the match was awarded but all the boys commented on how well Alex had played so perhaps I got that wrong. Your workrate, team spirit and desire got you through what could have been a very difficult match and you should all be very proud of yourselves.

Thanks
Graham

01 November 2009

Rudridge Ravens 1 - 1 Camberley Boys

After the previous weeks goal bonanza this was a very different match.
It was very close with both sides being well matched in almost every department. Camberley probably had the better of the first half and were unfortunate to concede a goal on the stroke of half time. It was a well worked goal which didn't even allow the time for the kick off to be taken.
Camberley started the 2nd half the better and when they scored looked as though they would go on and win but the last 10 minutes belonged to the Ravens and we had several opportunities to win the game.
overall and fair result and well played match with some very strong tackling from both sides.
Graham

18 October 2009

Rudridge Ravens 6 - 8 Burymead

What a match!
This game had everything: own goals, a penalty, great tackling, great attacking and 14 goals!
If I am completely honest I lost track of how the scoring went after half time but the game started badly for the Ravens who found themselves 2 down after only a few minutes. Fortunately for us this gave the boys a wake up call and the response was excellent with 3 quick goals they appeared to turn the match around but Burymead had either ideas finishing the half the stronger and went in 4 - 3 up.
With everything still to play for the boys went out for the second half but never really got into their stride and were always a couple of goals down but to their credit played right to the end.
The final result of 8-6 to Burymead was probably a fair one, but not one for Alan Hansen to review!
Graham

11 October 2009

Rudridge Ravens 7 - 1 Hook United Blues

Well done lads, after the disappointment of the defeat 2 weeks ago you really did come out with all guns blazing.
This really was a match of some excellent goals and some very good football which was a pleasure to watch.
It was Arron who got us on our way when he pounced on a loose ball in the box and lifted it expertly into the roof of the net. Luke grabbed the second with a fine finish after a good through ball. The third kept up the standard after some good work from Rob and a good lay off Oli still had to beat one player and shoot from the edge of the box. James M then got in the act after collecting the ball in his own half ran at 2 defenders showing them a clean pair of heels and firing into the far corner of the goal.
Half time Ravens 4 - 0 Hook.
The team went out in the second half with the same purpose and belief and after being fouled close to the corner flag Rob picked himself up and expertly shot directly into the net. The 6th was slightly fortuitous as it came from a pass back but that can not detract from the excellent finish from James M who lifted the ball over the 11 man defence rather than just blasting it. Number 7 came as a just reward for Josh having gone close with a header just minutes earlier got on the end of a cross and against all odd lifted it over the goalie and into the net. We lost a little shape after that and were caught by a late but very good move by Hook that resulted in a tap in at the far post.
The most pleasing thing about todays game for me was the workrate, everyone tackled back and nobody left it to someone else to do their job.
Effort Award went to Rob and Man of the Match went to George. They had to be good performances to win these awards as Alex also pulled off some great saves in goal.
Thanks for your hard work today you thoroughly deserved the win but spare a thought for the Hook goalie who really did not put a foot wrong and did not have a chance with any of our goals.

Graham

27 September 2009

California Rockets 5 - 2 Rudridge Ravens

A dissapointing performance saw the Ravens beaten by a good side today.
Things started off even enough and when The Rockets took the lead Ravens responded immediately with a goal from Rob that has to be in contention for the goal of the season. California then took the lead again but after a great run from Tom B and a good pass Rob was free in the area and duly took full advantage.
With the score 2-2 at half time I really thought that we could push on and make this our game but it was our hosts who took control. A justly awarded penalty gave them a 3-2 advantage and from then on we appeared to give up! The final score of 5-2 whilst a tad harsh should be an indication to you all that if we stop doing the simple things we will get punished in this more competative division.
We must learn from this match and ensure that we give 100% for the whole match regardless of the scoreline. We should look forward to playing the Rockets again later in the season so that we can show them the real Ravens

Graham

13 September 2009

Rudridge Ravens 14 - 1 Woking Town

The Match started very briskly with Rob putting his first goal away with an excellent turn with the ball and then a follow-up strike. Second was a cross from Luke across the goalface which Rob headed in whilst running into the box. After 10 mins Ramps put away the 3rd which was followed by a goalmouth scramble that then resulted in a Woking own goal. Luke followed up minutes later with goal number 5. Rob, Oli, and Tom B added to the total leading up to half-time.

The half-time score was 8-0.

The second half started in similar manner with goals in quick succession from Ramps and Tom B. Rob made it 11-0 with a chip over the keeper. Woking made a break and scored having played three players up front most of the game to catch Ravens on the break. Goals continued at the other end from Luke, James M, and finally Ramps after hitting the crossbar on a previous attempt.

Despite conceding 14 goals the Woking Town goalkeeper performed admirably. Without his valiant efforts the total could have been much higher.

Ramps won Man of the match, and Oli received the effort award.

Chris Evans

6 September 2009

Chiddingfold & Elstead Sharks 1 - 3 Rudridge Ravens

What an excellent way to start the season with both teams playing some very good football. The match started off very evenly with both sides having oppotnities to score but some excellent defending by both sides prevented a goal being scored. It was the home side who broke the deadlock after and excellent move down their left and some very good passing the Chiddingfold player found himself in some space and finished very well.
This remained the score until half time but the Ravens had the better of the last 10 minutes.

In the second half all of the boys went out with an excellent attitude and desire to turn the match round in our favour. It was Rob who got us level with a fine finish from the edge of the box. James M was the next to score after a tricky run coming in from the wing and a well placed finish into the corner of the net. When Rob was put through for our 3rd it sealed the game but there was still a lot of work to be done and everyone went about their job extremely well.
Thank you to you all for your effort and hard work today, we were up against a very good team and it was your determination that pulled us through.

Man of the Match went to Ryan who's tackling was as solid as ever but distribution was the best I have ever seen from him.
Graham