Rayleigh Boys  YFC U-11. 4   Benfleet Villa FC U-11. 3     18^th March 2007

After an enforced gap of five weeks RBYFC finally got back to the playing action with an exiting win over Benfleet Villa FC at Ashingdon FC after the venue was switched owing to Grove Park being unavailable because of the lack of ground staff.

Defending in extremely windy conditions RBYFC found themselves behind after 10mins but they managed to hold out for a further 10mins to be 2-0 down but managed to pull one back when Danny Cooper scored a fine goal following an excellent corner taken by James H H-T 1-2

It was now RBYFC turn to take advantage of the gale force conditions but all did not go according plan. After having an early well taken 'goal' by Callum Edwards ruled out for offside it was not until well into the second half that RBYFC equalised when Callum scored another excellent volley similar to the one he scored only five weeks ago against Beech Utd. RBYFC felt they now had the upper hand and were pressing hard for the winner but disaster struck with only five minutes remaining on the clock, BVFC managed a rare excursion into the oppositions half and in what seemed like an eternity managed to scrape home a goal which they quite rightly believed would be the winner.

Most teams would have given up by now as the referee was only playing time added on but RBYFC are made of sterner stuff. After some neat play on the right the ball fell to Ellis Lander whose well driven shot was saved by the BV 'keeper who could only parry it to the quickly advancing Danny Cooper to drill home his second of the match. RBYFC sensed there could not be much time left and so it proved as the BV 'keeper took what was virtually the last kick off the game, the wind again held up the ball and fell to James H who quickly found Ellis Lander (playing despite a 'stomach' upset) who rifled to ball into the net and for the third time that day the ball went actually through the net! That did stop Ellis and the team setting of in wild celebrations to cap a brilliant result for the boys. It is worth noting that this is the fourth time this season the team has come back from 2 – 0 deficits to record victory’s FT 4 - 3.  MoM's Danny Cooper & Ellis Lander who both had to play positions not familiar to themselves.

After the match it was learnt that subsequent results elsewhere have guaranteed RAYLEIGH BOYS 'A' will definitely finish as Runners Up in Division 'B' of the U-11's. Well done to all the boys and the manager & coaches for all the hard work this season but we still have two matches to play, so enjoy!