Under 10s Match Reports

ABBEYMEAD ROVERS A 11 MITCHELDEAN JUNIORS 0

As expected, Rovers totally dominated this match from start to finish and certainly but for a magnificent display through out the match by the Mitcheldean keeper, could have and would have won by a much bigger margin. Despite dominating the first half, a series of good saves and some disappointing finishing saw Rovers only managing to build a 3-0 half time lead; thanks to a Matt Williams hat-trick.

Ryan Couling scored in the first minute of the second half and then Luke McMahon added a further six goals, a fourth for Matt Williams completing the scoring.

Rovers played some excellent football but were a little disappointed that they could not have built a bigger score line. This shouldn't take away from a Mitcheldean team that kept their heads up and battled all the way through the match and of course their excellent goalkeeper.

ABBEYMEAD A 7 HUCCLECOTE 2

Four goals from Luke McMahon helped Abbeymead A maintain their 100% start to the season. Luke's first goal put Rovers a goal up after 5 minutes but this cancelled out six minutes later when Hucclecote scored from a corner. Rovers again took the lead with another McMahon goal on the 19th minute before Matt Williams scored an impressive solo goal 3 minutes later, beating three defenders before driving in from close range. Bradley Vanstone put Rovers 4 - 1 up at the break by scoring from close range after the Hucclecote keeper could only deflect a Ryan Couling shot into his path.

Two goals in two minutes (36mins and 38mins) from McMahon put this game well and truly beyond Hucclecote. However, even in this situation, Hucclecote kept pushing and Rovers keeper, Sam Goodchild made an excellent point blank save on the 30 minute mark when we dived down to his left to push a close range shot around the post, Matt Hartshorn also had to clear off the line in the final minute, which lead to a second goal from Matt Williams finished the scoring at 7-2. A good competitive game in which Rovers were always in control and but for a series of good saves from the Hucclecote keeper could have seen a bigger goal margin.

Abbeymead A - Sam Goodchild, Josh Vallender, Bradley Palmer, Bradley Vanstone, Matt Williams, Callum Merchant, Luke McMahon, Matt Hartshorn, Ryan Couling

HUCCLECOTE 0 ABBEYMEAD A 3

This League Cup fixture was the first of back to back matches between these two sides, and although Abbeymead never really found their rhythm, they did take an early lead when Ryan Couling scored from close range by following up a long shot from Brad Palmer.

Although Rovers created the majority of the chances, Hucclecote did threaten a couple of times in the first half, the most notable when their center forward was put clean through with only the Rovers keeper Sam Goodchild to beat, but the keeper was quick off his line closing the Hucclecote player down, who then put his shot harmlessly wide.

Early in the second half Luke McMahon hit the post and constant pressure from Rovers saw the Hucclecote keeper having to make a string of saves before Ross Martin put Rovers 2-0 up with 9 minutes to go. Martin scored his second five minutes later to put the game beyond Hucclecote. Rovers even had the luxury of a missed penalty which was well saved by the Hucclecote keeper.

Abbeymead: Sam Goodchild, Bradley Palmer, Matt Hartshorn, Brad Vanstone, Ryan Couling, Ross Martin, Luke McMahon, Matt Williams & Josh Vallender.

Abbeymead Rovers A 3 Forest Rangers 0

Abbeymead got off to a great start with Matt Williams putting them a goal up after only 3 minutes. But a competitive Forest side showed why they have enjoyed a recent run of good results and fought hard to try and get back on even terms in what was a close and well contended first half.

The second half proved to be more of same, although a solid display from the Rovers defensive pairing of Matt Hartshorn and Josh Vallender reduced the scoring chances for Rangers to a few speculative long shots.

With two minutes to go, a great through ball found its way to Luke McMahon who hammered home to make it 2-0. Within a minute of the restart Luke McMahon scored his second and Rovers third, putting the game well and truely beyond a brave Forest side, when Matt Williams hit a long high ball from the center spot, which Luke expertly headed over the keeper.

This was a well fought close game, with both sides playing good football and competing for every ball, it was the hardest 3 points that Rovers have had to fight for so far this season but in the end they were able to maintain their excellent 100% start to the season.

Rovers A - Sam Goodchild, Bradley Vanstone, Josh Vallender, Matt Hartshorn, Ryan Couling, Callum Merchant, Matt Williams, Luke McMahon, Ross Martin.

Abbeymead Rovers B 1 Abbeymead Rovers A 5

This proved to be the exciting and well contested match that we all expected. Rovers B attacked straight from the kick off but it was Luke McMahon who made the break through for Rovers A after 8 minutes. Ryan Couling made it 2-0 after following up a well saved shot from Luke McMahon by Rovers B keeper Josh Roberts. Drew Hodges nearly pulled one back a minute later with a great free kick that hit the underside of the bar before Rovers A keeper Sam Goodchild could clear to safety.

The second half proved equally entertaining, Luke McMahon made it 3-0 after 31 minutes scoring after being put clean through by Callum Merchant. A few minutes later Rovers A conceded their first goal of the season having kept a clean sheet for over five and half hours, again it was a superb free kick from Drew Hodges that gave the A keeper no chance.

But within a minute of this goal, Rovers A pulled back their lead with arguablly the best goal of the game, a great interchange for passes between Callum Merchant, Ryan Couling and Ross Martin being finished off from close range by Ryan Couling. A Ross Martin goal made it 5-1 with 9 minutes to go.

Rovers A Team: Sam Goodchild, Matt Hartshorn, Josh Vallender, Callum Merchant, Ryan Couling, Matthew Williams, Luke McMahon, Ross Martin & Bradley Vanstone