Rams Hit Three Past Hawks

THE GREAT Notley Rams secured their fourth win in succession with a comfortable three-nil victory over the Galleywood Youth Hawks on Notley Green on Sunday.

Going into the game, there had been nothing to split the two teams in two seasons of competitions, as all previous encounters between them had ended in draws, but the Rams were first to chalk a mark in the win column after a brace from Sam Donnelly and one from George Morris.

The Rams lined up with Tom McInerney in goal, a defence from Jamie McNeilly, Tom Hunt and Harvey Ricci, midfield from Jonathan Stoneman, Matthew Littlejohn and Olivia Hales, while Sam Donnelly, George Morris and Ben Rodley made up the strikers.

And playing against a Hawks team that was significantly taller than most of the Rams, it was imperative that the ball was kept on the deck and swept around Notley Green.

In the opening exchanges, both teams were giving as good as they got, but it was the Rams who took the initiative when some great work from Olivia Hales freed Donnelly who fired in a low shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.

The Rams then wasted a couple of good chances to extend the lead, although this was also due to some fine goalkeeping from the Hawks custodian, and going into the half time break it was clear that the midfield and defence could not allow any slip-ups, as the Hawks had shown some ambition in going forward.

In fact after the break it needed a fine save from McInerney and some last ditch tackles from Tom Hunt and Jamie McNeilly to ensure that the home side emerged with a clean sheet, while up at the other end, Morris finished sweetly to double the lead.

The final goal came again from the boot of Donnelly, although the Hawks keeper made a good attempt to keep it out, the referee deciding that his drag back save had actually crossed the line.

After the game Rams boss John Stoneman said: "That's two excellent games on the bounce for the team, who have rediscovered their fine touch and passing play. At times we played football which would not look out of place on Match of the Day!"

Next week the Rams are due to play the Hawks again, this time away in the league.

Rams Tame Lions

THE GREAT Notley Rams moved to the top of the League Cup Group A table with a win over rivals Meadow Youth Lions in Chelmsford on Sunday.

A solitary goal from George Morris in the closing stages of the second half was all that split the teams on a day when both sides played some sublime football at times.

The Rams lined up with Tom McInerney in goal, a defence from Jamie McNeilly, Emma Root and Jonathan Stoneman, midfield from James O'Reilly, Matthew Littlejohn and Olivia Hales, while Matthew Norris, George Morris and Ben Rodley made up the strikers.

From the outset it was apparent why both of these teams are sitting at the top of the Osea Division league table, as both looked to play a fluid passing game, and showed good organisation across the pitch.

The Youth Lions were progressive in attack and forced a number of corners early on, although these were dealt with by some solid defending and a very reliable performance from McInerney who dealt with anything which came at him.

All three defenders - Stoneman, Root and McNeilly - were quick to win tackles and made good choices between passing the ball out of defence and clearing with distance, while O'Reilly, Littlejohn and in particular Olivia Hales were busy in midfield supporting the defence and attack.

Chances were few and far between, although Morris and Matthew Norris were both unlucky not to test the Lions goalkeeper more than they did. Ben Rodley was hard working up front.

At half time it was all level, and Rams boss John Stoneman merely said: "Just do what you've been doing", for his half time team talk, and indeed it was more of the same in the second period.

The goal when it came was somewhat fortunate, a Rams attack looked to have petered out but some tenacity from Morris saw him win the ball back close to the Lions goal line, and despite the impossible angle, his shot managed to evade the Lions goalkeeper and squeeze itself into the net by the far post.

The Rams then saw out the final five minutes with more excellent defending from front to back, although they were almost caught out at the death, when a Lions striker shot just wide from a good position in the box.

Stoneman said: "After a few weeks where the performances have been slightly under par, it was encouraging to see us once again pinging the ball around.

"The Lions are a strong team, and their results in recent weeks bear this out, but we needed this win in order to push for progression out of the group stages of the cup, and I was delighted with the application we showed."

Next week the Rams are again in cup action when they face Galleywood Youth Hawks.