PROMOTION FOR THE RESERVES

I’m sure our first team manager, Steve Johnson, will be disappointed with the outcome of the final positioning of the first team but I have to say that across the whole club I personally see it as a pretty successful year. We started a reserve side with no players and a youth side with 4 players from last season. Despite quite a few peoples’ reservations, (yeah you) across those two sides we experienced good growth and great development. The reserves got promotion into the reserve premier division of the County league and the 18s came in fourth in their league. Our second side also got to the semi-final of the Sussex Intermediate cup only to lose 1-0 to the champions of the SCL Division 2 side Loxwood. Whilst Steve may be disappointed with the final place, we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that around 12 youth/reserve players had opportunities at first team level.

On Saturday our first team met Redhill who have been rejuvenated over the last few months, and we incorporated 5 reserve players due to first team players being unavailable. We were unable to get anything from this game however and unfortunately had to end the season with a defeat. All concerned with the side hope for better things next season. See David Ruffles optical perspective on the web-site as usual.

During the week the reserves travelled to Lingfield to play their penultimate game of the season – needing a solitary point from the last two remaining games. We dragged ourselves up there knowing that it was likely to be called off as it hadn’t stopped raining since 3pm. I wanted the game on to be honest as Lingfield’s first team were due to play Redhill in some Surrey cup or the other and I knew we had a chance of meeting their true reserve side. Upon its postponement I realised that as they said it would now go ahead on Thursday it was likely we’d meet a stronger side. When we turned up to meet and Steve said they had 6 front side players playing, I thought we may have a problem. But once we started playing we soon took control and ran out winners 1-5. This was 2 points more than we required to be assured of promotion but nevertheless it was a very welcome result. So promotion and reserve premier football for all who will be involved next term. Great coaching from Steve Oliver and great support levels from Steve Johnson, Richard Soan, Deb, Hawksie and Steve Frost. Well done everyone, especially the entire squad. Read Hawksie’s comments on the web.

On Saturday the reserves then played their last game of the season, defeating Redhill reserves 3-1. As you can see in the above table, we missed being champions by 2 points.

This will be the last newsletter in the weekly format throughout the summer, apart from bulletins throughout the period on news and information. Periodic newsletters will be sent throughout the break and I look forward to seeing everyone at the Presentation Evening on Friday 23 May at the Caburn. Six a side pre-season soccer on the pitch at Lewes Racecourse will start Mid June for all those wanting to work on early fitness. No coaching – just six a side football. Come up, you’ll love it.

Take a look at The Footie guru's bebo, dedicated to the RFC. It has just started up so it needs you lot to come along and bulk it up.