Grove Challengers Under 9s have had a slow start to the season and so far have not acquired a single point. Having said that all team members remain just as keen and enthusiastic for every new game. Today was no exception. Red Team were first to play. All the players battled really well and didn’t lose any enthusiasm when Summertown scored for the third time; it would have been more if not for the superb saves made by goal keeper Marcus Elliot with good defending from Oliver Harvey and David Gregory. Playing midfield were Ella Badger and Ryan Lockwood with Harvey Stilwell and Kyle Crossley upfront. Thomas Hannaby came on at half time as sub to bolster the defence to try and stop anymore goals and succeeded with the score line finishing at 0-3 at the end of the first game.

Next was the Blue Team who had it all to play for! We needed to get some goals on the score sheet and it didn’t take long with the whole team playing outstandingly well, a superb goal coming from Jonathan Varley crossed in from Edward Lagden. Joshua Mathews, stand in goalkeeper for a poorly Toby Brady endured a few minutes of sustained attack with Summertown coming back strong, but once again we rose to the occasion with pride. With Christopher Carter and Edward Lagden holding well in defence it wasn’t long before we scored again, this time with a goal coming from Nathan Allen. Charles Smith & Jonathan Varley in midfield played their socks off but a loose ball came out of nowhere and Summertown scored, with the score line now standing at 2-1. Aaron Robinson playing upfront with Nathan Allen opened up their defence with nice through ball once again to Jonathan who scored a 2nd fantastic goal. The next few minutes were tense with both teams having chances thwarted by both goalkeepers; the team then knew that they could good a well deserved draw and the all the pressure was back on Summertown with Grove battling hard to save the game, it was in the last minute of the second half that a through ball from Chris Carter passed straight onto the feet of Charles Smith with a flick on to Jonathan who planted it well and truly into the back of the net giving Jonathan Varley his well deserved hatrick.

So, much to all the Parents delight Grove Challengers Under 9s gained their first point of the season with the final score 4-4 over the two games. Man of the Match was awarded Nathan Allen.