Vipers (0) 1 Horsham Sparrows (0)1

Good start in the heat Great start for the boys in the tropics of Thakeham. We could only field ten players with two boys gallavanting abroad -Bailey searching for rum and cokes in Antigua with dad Terence whilst Curtis was off in Turkey seeking sun, sand and leather jackets in a bazaar no doubt. Even though we had ten men, coach Staples decided on a 4-3-2 formation with Brandon Smith between the sticks and former keeper George Staples doing a roaming role supporting the re-signed Sam Rutherford up front.  Venn, Tavares and the Banjo were in midfield whilst Hasler and Leadbeater resumed their partnership in the centre of defence flanked by the ever willing Crouch and Rance. The game kicked off, was played a high tempo and goodness me, is it half time already?  No goals at the break despite near misses for both goalmouths. The second half kicked off with Vipers attacking "the boulevard of trees" end.  A few near misses and suddenly Rutherford was through; he was pushed right by a defender but fired across the keeper and in off the far post!! The home crowd went loopy whilst the away fans increased the volume.  Several goal mouth scrambles later and the visitors were level after a forward poked home in the six yard box.  The ten men looked shattered but despite Sparrows missing an open goal, survived to the end.  So a great point and with some players back next week, things are looking good. Vipers: Smith, Crouch, Hasler, Leadbeater, Rance, Tavares, Venn, Banner, Staples, Rutherford

Vipers 0 - Dorkinians 8

A hard start to the season (as seems the norm) against possibly the top team in the division! We managed to keep them at bay for the first 15 minutes or so, but then the goals came - four in each half to end up 8-0 at the final whistle. However, there were lots of positives, with good battling performances from all over the pitch, including Josh Howard who had a difficult, but good game in goal. We didn't let our heads drop however, and kept going to try to get that elusive goal, but it wasn't to be. I know that the team will get better and better as we get going into the season, so well played everyone today in a tough opening game - here's to next week!!

Vipers 2 - Lower Beeding 1

Vipers won there Div A opener 2-1 against Lower Beeding, but could have won 3-0 or lost 2-3 in a game that was tighter than it needed to be. Some good play led to 2 first half goals from the Vipers, one from Matt Soloman (always nice to see a defender score from a corner!) and Adam Lamport, from a great through ball by Sam Tuhey. The second half brief was to keep a clean sheet. Lower Beeding were awarded a penalty which was brilliantly saved by Reece Collins-Powell, but then managed to put one past us, having been given way too much space, to make it 2-1 . Lloyd Rowlat hit the bar from distance which would have put Vipers safe. With 5 to go Beeding broke through, but were offside, so the goal did not count. So though we ended up winners, much improvement is needed. Facing up to tackles, being first to the ball, controlling mid field and keeping the game simple with good on floor passing, and cutting out the fancy twirls! There were notable performances today from Matt Soloman and Timmy Moore at centre backs, Callum Osborne continued to put his head where others fear to tread, and Sam Tuhey had an excellent second half. Man of the match was between Reece and Louis Tanner - Louis edged it with his whistle to whistle pursuit of the ball - but well done to both.