A very hard fought and competitive game ended up with a 3-1 win to the home team. Benfleet Villa proved very tough opponents last season, beating us home and away in the league and again emerging victorious from the RBYFC Tournament. 

Both teams began the game brightly, with few clear cut chances coming in the first 10 minutes.  The closest opportunity came down the left, with a through run from Jamie was finished by an absolute peach of a shot, heading for the top corner until the goalkeeper flung himself to his right to touch it over the bar. The breakthrough came on 10 minutes when a mazy run by Callum was finished with a fierce shot which the goalkeeper could only parry out to Jamie, who finished clinically from the edge of the box. The game continued back and forth until half time, with no more goals being scored. 

Rayleigh Boys started the second half the better team, with both Jamie and Matt making great progress down either wing, creating opportunities, but with no goals coming, until a cross by Jamie along the ground was met by Matt and he hit the crossbar from it. The next opportunity also came down the left side, with a through ball to Luke, now playing up front. Luke turned brilliantly as the ball passed him and placed the ball past the helpless goalkeeper for the second goal – 2-0. This was immediately followed up by a mazy run by Luke, after beating a couple of defenders, and when he was clean through on goal he was clumsily fouled from behind. The free kick came to nothing!  

Benfleet had only managed a couple of clear chances in the game, due to the excellent work of Edward and George in defence, and when they did, Jonathan dealt with the shots easily. Benfleet then got a stroke of luck, when a ball struck a Rayleigh player on the arm in the penalty area, and the referee judged it to be a penalty. Benfleet’s big centre half struck the ball like a bullet past Jonathan into the top corner – the keeper had no chance! 2-1. 

Rayleigh continued pressing forward after the set-back and shortly afterwards received their reward, when a similar cross from the left was met by Matt, who this time turned it in for the third goal – 3-1. The game finished shortly after that – great result for the Leopards! Well done boys.

Scorers – Jamie, Luke, Matt

MOTM – Luke

27-09-09 FC Redwing Lions vs Rayleigh Boys Leopards at Barleylands 

This was not one of the Leopards’ best games, which ended in a 1-0 defeat, which was thoroughly deserved by FC Redwing. 

Every so often we have a game where we don’t turn up – maybe it was the early start and we all thought we were still in bed! The only player who serves a mention was Rory, who put in a spirited performance both in defence for a quarter and in attack for a half. This performance left Rory an easy decision for Man of the Match – Well done Rory.  

Games like this are best forgotten about as quickly as possible! Never mind, we all have off days. Onto the next match! 

Scorers – None

MOTM – Rory 

4-10-09 Rayleigh Boys Leopards vs Hawkwell Athletic Tigers at Grove Woods

This was a much better display by the Leopards, showing the sort of performance we all know they are capable of. The Hawkwell team put up a very valiant fight throughout the game, but ended up losing 7-0. 

The boys turned up this week raring to go after the disappointment of the previous week. We had only 7 players, which meant everyone having to play a full game. This meant that the boys would have to pass the ball more and let it do the work instead of them chasing the ball everywhere. The boys took this message on board excellently – from the off, they looked for space, passed where possible, and looked for every opportunity to score. An absolutely brilliant display from back to front! 

The goals came from James (5) and Jamie (2), all taken with a huge amount of skill, and all set-up by brilliant teamwork from the rest of the team. George and Edward hardly gave their attackers a look-in, but when they did Jonathan was up to each effort, making some fine saves to deny Hawkwell a deserved consolation goal. Luke and Callum were as busy and skilful as ever, each setting up a number of the goals for the scorers.  

A great display, with Mon of the Match being awarded to James for his cool head in finishing his opportunities, and also his hard work in harrying the opposition when they had the ball. Well done all!! 

Scorers – James (5) Jamie (2)

MOTM - James