Grange Rovers 4 - 1 Carew Rangers

A screamer from Riley and a cool hat-trick from Dorrell won the day in a scrappy game, leaving Rovers top for Christmas.

Setting up opposite a depleted Carew Rangers side, Rovers were forced to start with 7, with Dorrell and Jach D initially making way and everyone taking their turn on the bench.
Despite the confidence they had clearly gained from hitting the top of the table last week they found it hard to settle in this strange formation and Tom looked an early candidate for Man of the Match for the second week in a row as he was forced into a succession of impressive saves.
Half way through the first half Riley settled the nerves as he picked the ball up on the right, and showed strength and not insignificant skill to ride two challenges before cutting inside and firing high into the Carew Rangers net.
Before the interval the team in Royal Blue caught Rovers on the counter and levelled the score with some fluid passing, before Dorell made it 2-1 cutting in from the left to score with a right footed drive.
At half time a more passing game was called for and in the second half Rovers responded as Dorrell and Alfie saw more and more of the ball. It was the diminutive winger who was able to make the most of his chances adding to his personal tally and in scoring two more, seal the match and a hat-trick into the bargin.

In the first half of the season this new side have gone from strangers to tight unit. With Tom looking assured in goal, Shaun's tough tackling, Jack B's reading of the game, George's ability to win the ball and run with it and Tyrell's power; with Dorrell's quich feet and quicker brain, Riley's strength and will to win, Jack D's tenatious attitude, Jack F's willingness to run all day and Alfie's pace and eye for goal, let's hope that they'll be straight out of the blocks on the 6th January against Carew Rangers again.

The weekend

Turn up and play will be running from 1000. See you there or at 1140 on Sunday for KO at 1200 against Carew Rangers.

Grange Rovers 3-1 Warren Town

Any one of the eight Grange Rovers players on the pitch could have walked away with the Man of the Match award today.
Tom, who was given the accolade, stopped everything that came his way apart from a penalty, and even then he got close. The back three of Jack B, Shaun and George won everything that could have been expected of them, with Jack and George making strong forays into Warren Town territory.
Jack D in the box to box role ran tirelessly winning the ball in front of defence and either driving forward or slipping the ball to Dorrell and Jack F who used guile, pace and vision to create chance after chance for themselves and Alfie whose strength  up front got him the clincher in the dying moments.
 Dorrell got the other two, and well deserved they were.
The opener was created by Alfie, after some great defensive play by Jack B. The striker powered through a sea of green defenders and slipped the ball to the waiting Dorrell to slot home.
Rovers held on for most of the half and could have added to their lead but late on a green player was caught in the box and although he got close Tom couldn't save the resulting penalty.
In the second half Rovers weathered some early pressure, missing Riley and Tyrell against big, physical opponents, but they started creating again through Jack F and Dorrell who both played fantastic triangles with Jack D, Alfie or one of the marauding full backs.
It felt like the goals would come and in the dying minute Dorrell  got the first of them with a short range effort followed soon after by an Alfie screamer.
Stafford Utd's earlier draw with Carew Rangers meant that the boys in orange and black leapfrogged both them and Warren Town to go into the last game before Christmas, top of the league.  

This Weekend

No Grange training at 0930 due to the weather but I'll be there for turn up and play at 1000.
Match is at 1100 on Sunday vs Warren Town. See you at 1040ish.

Grange Rovers vs Woodcote Wanderers

Postponed due to frozen pitch.

Training from 10

I won't do Rovers training from 930 tomorrow. But will be there at 1000 for turn up and play. Chance for pitches to soften. And no need to keep the boys out that long.

Match off again!

All games are off this Sunday due to waterlogged pitches. Perhaps we'll get to play Carew Rangers one day!

Carew Rangers pt1

Carew Rangers pt1

Two of the next four games are against CRFC. We are yet to play them due to two cancelations so fingers crossed for tomorrow. Assuming the pitches remain playable see you all at 9:40 for a 10:00 KO. COYO.

Hard work brings its rewards.

Two second half goals were the difference between Rovers and a hard working Hilliers Athletic side.

Despite carrying an injury Jack D insisted he was fit enough to play so all ten Rovers players were available. Dorrell started on the bench with last weeks winning nine starting the game. Rovers looked good for in the first period but despite coming close once or twice through Alfie and Jack F couldn't find the net. A strong defence of Tyrell, Shaun and George was had to break down and left Tom, who had already played for Carew on loan earlier in the day, little to do. In front of them Riley and Jack B made it hard for the Yellow midfield and fed Jack D, who was subbed for Dorrell and Jack F all of whom ran tirelessly on the wings. Alfie the lone striker probed at the Yellow defence.

Once Dorrell came on and got into his stride he played as well as he has all season,  given the confidence to bomb on be an assured performance by George at left back. He was full of running, prepared to tackle back, he released the ball intelligently and held it up or took on his man when he needed to. Very much a Man of the Match performance.

The first goal came as Jack B was thrown on half way through the second half and made a run at the back post following a corner, arriving just at the right time to turn it home and claim his first of the campaign.

Today's lesson...sometimes you have to gride out a result.

Training on Saturday. Hilliers on Sunday

Training as normal on Saturday and a 12:00 KO against Hilliers Athletic. Don't be complacent though. They ran Warren Town close with a 2-1 result last weekend.

Interesting at the top again.

A side managed by Brad and Mark won 4-1 against arch rivals Stafford Utd. This reporter wasn't present but I am told the team were awesome from back to front. Great goal keeping from Tom a solid defence and a hard working midfield were the platform for an Alfie hat-trick and one from Jack F in a man of the match performance.
This leaves the Rovers lying 3rd but the top 3 are breaking away with little separating them. COYOs.

Reds again!

The 3rd meeting of the season with Stafford Utd is at 1000 on Sunday. Brad will take charge as Chris is parading in for Remembrance Sunday. COYOs. Don't forget the minutes silence before the game. Heads up and play for each other.

Matches Cancelled

All matches are cancelled today due to flooded pitches.

This weekend

Kick of tomorrow is at 1200 as Rovers look to bounce back from cup defeat.
1140 meet pitchside.

Cup Weekend

Sorry about the late appearance of this post, it's been an unusually busy week.

Training as normal today 0930 for GRFC, 1000 for turn up and play.

Tomorrow is the first round of the Cup,
Kick off is at 1100 so be there for 1040ish. Chris is away playing soldiers so Brad will take sole charge for this one.

Best Performance to date ends in defeat.

Warren Town 2 - 0 Grange Rovers
The final score did not reflect the team spirit, heart or work rate as two second half goals sunk the Rovers.
The first half was end to end stuff and finished goalless. The credit must go to Rovers defence and midfield who despite being under pressure never looked like being over-run. Tom stayed big in the goal and Jack B put in a Man of the Match display confidently winning the ball and making the right choice to pass or clear the ball. Jack D and George run their socks off.
Riley and Alfie both played box to box covering for each other and the defence. Dorrell and Jack F providing outlets when they could.
In the second half the inclusion of Tyrell allowed Jack D to have a run up front. Eventually the pressure told and Greens snuck a goal.
The Rovers responded well and should have got level on a couple of occasions, only to be denied by some excellent keeping. As the orange players flooded forward they were caught on the break and a second goal for the greens all but made sure.
Grange Rover's heads stayed up but couldn't get back into the game, but what a performance. The boys should be proud of their efforts today and remember that they are gelling into a unit and getting better every week.
Grange Rovers get a rest from league action next week as Rovers play United in the Cup.

Cup Draw

Next week's cup game is an early chance to get our own back on Stafford Utd. The draw was made this evening.

The Weekend.

Training as usual tomorrow. I'll be there from 0930.
Big game against top of the league Warren Town on Sunday at 11:00. So see you at 10:40.

3-0 Victory

A good victory was secured with a goal in the first half and two in the second as Grange Rovers beat Woodcote Wanderers.
Again Rovers took their time to get going but once they got into their stride played some excellent football which lead to deserved victory. Riley put in a stirling first half performance playing out of position at centre back for the "rested" Jack B. 
Yet again George turned defence into attack from left back, overlapping with Jack F down the left wing and was unlucky not to score with an early strike from outside the box. Jack D spent the first half causing havoc in the Wanderers box but despite pulling the trigger on a number of occasions couldn't break down a tenacious Wanderers defence nor beat their keeper who was probably their man of the match. Tyrell in a new role in midfield showed his worth breaking up the play and surging forward. 
Alfie put in a skipper's performance in both halves picking the right pass on a number of occasions and bossing the middle of the park. He was later compared  to Steve Sidwell by another Little League manager.
Dorrell got the only goal of the first half as he ran onto a through ball and finished with aplomb.
While Rovers were disappointed to go in only one up at half time, they had kept it tight and built from the back.
In the second half Jack D took his turn in defence but came up for a well rehearsed corner and bagged the team's second before Chris had even retaken his place alongside Brad on the sideline. As the half went on, Sean grew in stature and confidence at right back as Jack F did the same in his midfield role, with Sean scooping man of the match for his committed attitude and game changing tackles and as they began to link up Jack began to deliver some telling crosses. Riley ran himself ragged in front if the defence showing selfless commitment to the Rovers cause.
Dorrell wrapped the game up late on with a speculative shot which silenced the bench (Chris) who were still calling for him to cross as the ball beat the Wanderers keeper!
With Warren Town and Stafford United drawing in the earlier kick off this victory brings Rovers within one point of the joint leaders although they need to find the net a few more times to haul back Town's massive goal difference.

This weekend...

0930 on Saturday for GRFC
1000 for turn up and play

1130 for 1200 KO on Sunday

First Win

Hilliers Athletic 0 - 2 Grange Rovers

A goal in each half, was enough to give Rovers their first win of the season. In the first half Dorrell tapped in an early goal, and despite a number of chances to extend the lead it stayed 1-0 until half time.
While the team battled hard they allowed to themselves to be drawn in to a scrappy game with George, Jack B and Tyrell fighting an effective rearguard action on the occasions that Athletic broke. Riley also was called upon to work back and help out.
After half time there was a slight change of formation with Dorrell joining Jack D up front. The boys clearly listened to the team talk as they got the ball down and passed it around. They moved into space for each other, worked up and down the pitch as a unit.
Jack F was unlucky in front of goal with a early chance, and began to combine well with George on the left of midfield as he continued to overlap from left full back. His man of the match performance saw him make a significant contribution at both end of the pitch winning tackles in defence and putting in telling crosses at the other end.
Riley went close with a long range effort which bounced over the keeper but was cleared off the line.
The defence was tight with Jack B securely mopping up at the back and George and Tyrell reading the game either side of him turning defence into attack.
As the Rovers began to pass it around, they got on top and eventually Jack D got the goal his running and the teams dominance deserved after Riley won the ball in the middle and squeezed it out to Dorrell on the right wing who beat his man to deliver the perfect cross.
Shaun, arriving late, made a cameo appearance for the hard working Jack F, and as the whistle blew Rovers celebrated a first victory of the season.

It is worth noting that Stafford Utd won 6-0 which makes our 3-2 defeat look like an even better performance.
     

Rovers vs Hilliers Athletic

Tomorrow sees Grange Rovers take on Hilliers Athletic at 10.00. We will be missing last week's goal-scorer Alfie but hoping to build on the positives from the narrow defeat to Stafford Utd.
Players should be there at 9:40 for a 10:00 KO.
Brad will take charge if Chris is delayed on his way back from a wedding. COYOs.

Training.

0930 for Grange Rovers and 1000 for turn up and play. See you there.
Sunday's match is at 1000.

Great Performance in opener. Lots of positives from 3-2 defeat.

Two great goals from man of the match Alfie were not quite enough in 3-2 defeat.

The game was made 7-a-side by a short-sided Stafford United, meaning that Grange Rovers had to match them up. This meant three lads had to start on the bench, but everybody saw some action in a hard fought game which could have gone either way.

Tom was solid in goal and his shot-stopping throughout the match was a factor in keeping the score tight. Those of us involved in the junior side last year are ecstatic to have a permanent keeper, and to have found such a good one is fantastic.
Jack B and Tyrell, started at the back and a combination of Tyrell's pace and strength and Jack's timing kept the Stafford Utd chances to a minimum. In front of them Alfie and Riley worked up and down looking to create chances for livewire Jack F and constant threat Jack D.
As substitutes Dorrell showed glimpses of the pace and skill that saw him tear Junior defences apart last year, George brought the balance of a left footer with a fantastic ability to win the ball and carry it forward, and Sean was a willing runner wherever he was asked to play.
Rovers came from behind twice in the first half on both occasions brilliant solo efforts by Alfie.
As the game became stretched at the end of the second half United nicked a third and Jack F was unlucky not equalise after an excellent individual piece of skill.

The boys should be proud of themselves, the fought hard and played for each other  and deserved something from the game. There will be plenty of happy results if they carry on in the same vein.

COYO

Timings for the weekend

On Saturday morning- Training for GRFC 0930-1000
                                      Turn up and play training 1000-1100

On Sunday- Inters league season starts 1000 Woodcote W v Carew R
                     Grange Rovers warm up and team talk 1040
                     Stafford Utd v Grange Rovers 1100.
                     Wallington Little League Managers v Carshalton Little League Managers 1315

Our pitch has been marked, surely nothing can stop us now!

Buzzing in Beddington Park.

In the absence of a team to manage or a league to coordinate, I took a wander over to the park to see how all the other age groups were doing. The junior end of the park was rocking! Fledgling, Bantum and Junior matches all went ahead. Lots of new faces and lots of familiar faces too.
I watched Blake and William's first game of the season, GRFC juniors looked good in a 5-5 draw with Carew Rangers. Woodcote look to be the team to beat at that level puting 12 past a much changed Warren Town side and as I left Stafford Utd were 2-0 up against Hilliers Athletic

Start of Season Postponed

Unfortunately the council haven't marked up the inters pitch. So our season kicks off next week. Great to see so many GRFC players at training this morning. Looking forward to the ( delayed) kick off.

Rovers Training and Late kick off.

If you can be at training at 0930 tomorrow it would be useful so we can have a chat with the lads about the team. If not don't worry. See you Sunday.
Kick off will be delayed until 1200 on Sunday. More to follow.

WLL - On the Brink of joining Absolute Radio's Home Guard

The Absolute Radio Breakfast Show are looking to become sponsors of one of our Fledgling teams to help strengthen their Home Guard army. Listen to the response to our email to Christian and the team
http://www.wallingtonlittleleague.com/default_158_836258843.mp3

Well done Heather!

The New Kit

Here is the new Grange Rovers Kit. The Goalie's kit is light blue with plain black socks.

The season is nearly upon us. Come on you Oranges!

Offside!

It has been decided that this season there will be offsides.
Any player in an offside position when the ball is passed will be considered to be active and an offside will be given.

Shirt Sponsor Announced

Inters Grange Rovers are to have their kit sponsored by Premier European Tiles.
Many thanks to them for their support.

Turn up and Play.

I hear that turn up and play training went well and was well attended this morning. This will now be a regular feature on Saturday mornings from 10am. Don't forget water and shin pads.

Our new strip



Come on orange!



This is the strip Grange Rovers will wear in 2012-13. It will include a sponsors logo and a Little League badge.



Fixtures announced

The fixtures for next season are available in the WLL OS http://www.wallingtonlittleleague.com/LeagueFixtures2011-Inters.htm
I'll post all the Rovers fixtures on here when I'm at home with my PC.
Getting exited about the new season now!

Shirt Sponsorship

I'm helping Marc Beech out this week chasing down a few local business to sponsor shirts across the league. Any ideas let me know.

WLL supporter Marcus Gayle RTs Good Luck

Marcus Gayle, who was often seen at WLL fixtures last year RTed in support of Grange Rovers this evening. Cheers Marcus.

Johnnie Jackson wishes us luck!

Charlton captain Johnnie Jackson retweeted a good luck message to the team this afternoon.
COYA and COYO!

Twitter Account

The team now has a twitter account called @grangerovers1 and will usually post with #wll.

Turn Up and Play Training

Turn up and play will start on August 11th. We are hoping that Matt Durbridge and I will be able to look after the juniors and the inters on a Saturday mornings between 1000-1100am with the help of some other managers and parents. I won't be there my self on the 11th but hope to be there thereafter.

A new badge.

I have designed a badge for the Rovers. We can't wear it on the shirt because that has to bear the Little League logo. However I though it would be quite nice on here. It is based on a window in The Grange  after which the team is named.

2012-2013 here we come.

Welcome to a new blog for a new team in a new colours!
Maroons have become Grange Rovers FC and will be wearing orange and black this season!