CONSTITUTION

Coach: Steve Dodd

Secretary: Kevin O'Connell

Treasurer: Margaret McNeill

Media Manager: Dave Lothian

All of us involved in the Under 8s would like to congratulate the Under 8 Colts for a fantastic season after completely dominating the league . Rob and Steve have done a fantastic job with the team and thoroughly deserve the praise. The team itself have done the Managers and Parents really proud and most of all the club they so proudly play for. So once again a big well done from us and go on and win your remaining games and enjoy your selves at the presentation !!
Good luck from all at the 8s

Hi to everybody involved with the under 8 colts side. Congratulations on our brilliant unbeaten start to the season. Well done to all the players and especially Rob and Steve who in such a short space of time have taken a group of players who had not played together and have turned them into potential champions. Well done everybody and keep up the good work and can somebody please bring Rob a woolly hat for his new haircut ( well done rob )
Craig & Nicole Wood
PS. all together now .... WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!!

Hi to all players and supporters of the Under 8 Colts. What a brilliant start to our first season!! Well done to Rob and Steve for their strong encouragement of the team as each and every player has come on really well. There is a great team spirit within the Colts and it is a pleasure to see them all in action. Keep up the good work!!

PS. Great time was had by all at the Halloween party - especially from the entertainment team [Rob & Steve ;it all looked so well rehearsed!!!] and looking forward to the new haircut Rob, by the way don't give up the day job! from Dawn & Dave Lothian

4/02/07 Maypole 1 Rubery Juniors Under 8’s Colts 0
Rubery headed into today’s top of the table clash with a 100% record but knew they were in for a hard game against fellow table topping Maypole. The game started with Maypole making all the running, on a bigger than usual pitch they were passing the ball around well and keeping an out of sorts Rubery pinned in their own half. It wasn’t not long until Maypole’s pressure paid off. 10 minutes in and a ball was played down ruberys right hand side, the ball got to the edge of the box after attempts to clear the ball it rolled across our box to the Maypole striker who drilled the ball past Ruberys keeper Owen 1 – 0 Maypole. Unlike 2 weeks ago against Alvechurch the goal fail to spark Rubery into life apart from a couple of brief attacks, one coming from a good square ball from Luke to Liam but the ball went wide and another chance from a cross shot from Alex which went just wide too, so we finished possibly with their worse half of the season 1 – 0 down. The second half began with Rubery bringing the lively Matt Burden on and begun to get into the game, with our first attack came the first contentious penalty decision, the ball was played into the box to Matt who turned but was brought down mid turn but no penalty was awarded. Rubery were now looking slightly more dangerous with both Matt and Luke doing good work down both wings. Soon after came another penalty decision when the ball was slipped to Alex who turned and ran towards the maypole area as he entered and went to shoot his heel were clipped by the chasing Maypole defender surely a penalty everyone thought, so the game restarted with a goal kick for Maypole as Rubery continued to hunt an equalizer. With time running out Alex wood picked the ball up turned and was heading in on goal 1 on 1 with the keeper until two maypole defenders tackled him from both sides, "PENALTY surely this time" but no said the ref “they got the ball “. After this Rubery had a few more chances but failed to beat the Maypole keeper. Just towards the end Rubery forced a corner, Alex went across to take it and swung it towards goal for our last chance but unfortunately as the ball headed for the Maypole goalmouth the final whistle was blown. All in all a disappointing day for Rubery and fairness to the Maypole players it was the right result . but not the end of the world for Rubery.
MAN OF THE MATCH : MATT BURDEN

28/1/07 Rubery Juniors Under 8’s Colts 2 P S Boys 1
Rubery went into today's game with 100% record but knew they were in for a stern test against the hard to beat P S Boys. The game began slowly with Rubery pushing for an opening but finding it hard to break through P S’s larger than normal defence. The first opening of the game fell to Rubery’s top scorer Alex Wood who broke free to fire a shot in on goal which the PS keeper parried away. The game continued with both teams feeling each other out with Rubery playing the ball into their strikers who after a few heavy challenges must have both been thinking What have I done to deserve this. The game continued to be played in the centre parts of the pitch with both defences keeping the opposition quiet, the Rubery manager then decided to make his first substitution he brought Luke Chilton on for Liam Ratcliffe a decision he told me was always on his mind, the game continued to be close and looked like it would be all even at half time until just before half time when Rubery were to make the breakthrough. A ball was played out to Alex Wood on the wing just inside his own half , he turned and drove straight at the heart of the PS defence he cut inside making the PS defender go west and calmly slid the ball into the bottom left hand corner to put Rubery into a deserved 1 – 0 lead. PS Kicked off but before they had chance to respond it was half time. The second half begun and the game continued to be played in the middle of the pitch with very few chances for either team, Rubery brought on Cavan O'Driscoll who worked fearlessly in the centre of the pitch which must have felt like the land of the giants to little Cavan. The game was starting to fade out when Rubery were to double their lead, good work on the left by Reece Lothian had the ball find its way to Alex Wood via Liam, Alex took one touch and calmly side footed the ball around the approaching PS Boys keeper for our 2nd and his 31st of the season. We now had the game in their own hands but PS Boys came back at the strongly. As the game headed to full time Rubery where caught napping as they attacked P S boys gained possession and hit Rubery on the break with 3 against 1 , Man of the match Sam McGinley got a tackle in but PS Boys had too many number forward and their spare man picked the ball up and slotted it home to make the score 2 – 1 and give Rubery and their supporters an anxious few minutes. Rubery regained their shape and the game went back to being a midfield battle for the final few minutes, the refs whistle blew for full time with Rubery coming through one of their hardest tests so far this season with a 2 – 1 win. Another victory and the 100% record still there and the championship left to our own devices.

GOALSCORERS: ALEX WOOD 2...................MAN OF THE MATCH : SAM MCGINLEY

21/1/07

Alvechurch Lions 1 Rubery Juniors Under 8’s Colts 8

Rubery Started their first game of 2007 away at an in form Alvechurch lions who the week before had an impressive 5 – 1 win. At the start of the game rubery looked like a side that had not played for a while and alvechurch were doing all the early running. 5 minutes in a ball was fire from the wing and rubbery fail to clear the ball dropped to the alvechurch striker who swept it into the net to give alvechurch a surprise 1 – 0 lead. The goal seamed to wake rubery up and cheered on by their usual large following of supporters there went on the hunt for an equalizer which did not take long in coming. The ball was fizzed into the box from the left wing by Matthew it travel across the box to Liam Ratcliffe who bravely hit it first time into the bottom right hand corner of the goal 1 – 1. The first substitution saw Liam Ratcliffe go off due to an injury sustained whilst scoring and Kyle Vincent take his place. Now rubery were in complete control of the game and it didn’t take long for them to take the lead. Matthew picked the ball up on the left cut inside the defender and was preparing to shoot as Alex Wood moved in and swept the ball home to put rubery 2 – 1 up. Soon after rubery hit the post with a free kick from the left and were making all the running. Luke Chiltern came on for Matthew and helped rubery extend there lead, he picked the ball up on the edge of the area and hit a goal bound shot which the alvechurch keeper could only parry straight into the path of Alex wood who happily hit home his second and ruberys 3rd. ruberys forth was not long in coming another ball crossed in from the wing fell to the feet of captain Reece Lothian who calmly finished from close range. 4 – 1 soon became 5 – 1 when yet another ball was swung in from the wing straight to the feet of Alex Wood who unknowingly guided the ball into the net for ruberys 5th and for his hat trick. As the half came to an end alvechurch tried valiantly to find a way back into the game but kept running into ruberys solid defensive wall that is Sam McGinley and Byron ratcliffe. The second Half started with Liam Ratcliffe back on the field in place of Alex Wood. Rubery continued where they left of by putting alvechurch under constant pressure and after some excellent work down the right hand side by Luke Chiltern it was soon 6 – 1. Luke picked the ball up carried it along the wing and drove an excellent hard and low cross straight into the heart of alvechurch’s goalmouth where Liam Ratcliffe was waiting to guide it home. Liam was soon to cap a fine game with his 3rd of the match, the ball was played into the middle of the box and after a scramble it fell to Liam who calmly claimed his hat trick and ruberys 7th . rubery brought Alex Wood back on in place of man of the match Kyle Vincent and he was immediately involved, rubery gained a free kick just inside alvechurch’s half, Alex struck it and it was in all the way until the alvechurch keeper leapt to his left to just tip the ball around the post (one in a handful of excellent saves on the day) but even he could not prevent rubery extending their lead. The ball came in from the left and the keeper could only parry the shot back into the goalmouth where an incoming Like Chiltern struck home a well deserved goal into the waiting net 8 – 1. Soon after that the ref blew the final whistle, another good performance from Rubery who keep there 100% record intact but also credit to all the players from alvechurch who at no point in the game dropped their heads.

MAN OF THE MATCH: KYLE VINCENT
SCORERS : ALEX WOOD 3 , LIAM RATCLIFFE 3 , REECE LOTHIAN 1 , LUKE CHILTERN 1

Rubery keep their 100% league record beating second placed Maypole 1-0 to go 6 points clear at the top of group F. Reece Lothian getting the decisive goal.

01-10-06
Coldlands Colts 0-3 Rubery Juniors Colts

Rubery arrived at an unbeaten Coldlands looking to build on their own good start to the season. Alex Wood added another three to his impressive goal tally & a man of the match performance from Owen Bradshaw with TWO penalty saves saw Rubery come away with all three points.
With the monsoon conditions threatening the tie, Rubery fielded a strong line-up. Elizabeth Johns making her first league appearance for the club. Rubery started the game slowly and allowed Coldlands to apply some early pressure. Rubery were pinned inside their own half trying to contain the confident opposition. Some solid defending in all areas of the pitch made sure that for all the pressure Rubery did not look like conceding.
Rubery started to drag themselves back into the game & created the first real chance on goal when captain Reece Lothian found himself one on one with the Coldlands keeper, he stroked a well placed shot towards the far corner
of the net, the effort beat the onrushing goalkeeper but drifted agonisingly wide of the far post. Coldlands again had Rubery working overtime with some positive forward play but with the ever impressive Byron Ratcliff marshalling the defence, Kyle Vincent and Elizabeth Johns working tirelessly in midfield Rubery made a break through. Possession was won in midfield by Reece Lothian. The ball was played forward towards Alex Wood who turned inside one player & then side stepped a another before unleashing a right footed curler into the bottom right hand corner of the net. 0-1. Rubery now had Coldlands on the ropes. Karreem Sudiger was brought on to replace Elizabeth Johns who had done really well in her first game. Rubery increased their lead when Alex Wood got a clear run on goal. With only the goalkeeper to beat Alex drilled a low shot across the goalkeeper with the
outside of his right foot into the bottom right hand corner of the net. 0-2. Just before half time Coldlands were given a lifeline when a powerful right wing corner was handled by a Rubery player in the penalty area. The Coldlands forward stepped up to the penalty and blasted a low shot down to Owen Bradshaw's right hand side. Owen managed to get a good strong hand on the ball and parry it away from goal. (Great save). Halftime.
The second half was again very tense with both sides playing some good football and creating chances. Kareem Sudiger had possession in the Coldlands area and seemed to be fouled, the referee waved away Rubery appeals. A long ball down field bounced its way into the Rubery area, a Rubery defender controlled the ball and then cleared it only for the referee to award a suprise penalty. This time the Coldlands captain stepped up to take the penalty. His powerful rising effort was again expertly saved by Owen Bradshaw. Owens confidence had now grew, a number of saves in the second half kept Rubery in front and his ability to kick the ball to the oppositions area were causing real problems. Rubery were themselves awarded a penalty late on for another hand ball offence. Alex Wood stepped up and made no mistake with a well placed right foot shot into the top right hand corner.0-3
This had been a great game to watch, EVERY single player had played their part in difficult conditions. WELL DONE!

24.09.06 League Shield Round 1
Olton Ravens Colts 1-4 Rubery Juniors Colts

Aston Fields Colts 3 - 2 Rubery Juniors Colts

Rubery arrived at Aston Fields on the back of two good results with Kyle Vincent and Cavan O'Driscoll making there debuts. Alex Wood netted twice to leave him with a goal tally of nine goals in three games! A change to the line-up from last week saw Cavan O'Driscoll start in place of holiday bound Luke Chilton. Kyle Vincent made the bench. Although this cup game was played between two teams separated by four divisions, Rubery were never out of this entertaining contest against higher opposition. Rubery kicked off the game and immediately threatened Aston
Fields goal. Alex Wood charging forward found his deflected effort fall into the path of team captain Reece Lothian, his left footed shot beat the Aston Fields goalkeeper and struck the right hand post. Aston Fields replied by going in front with their first effort on goal. The pacey number ten picked up the ball inside his own half and beat two Rubery
players. He stormed towards the Rubery goal with Sam McGinley desperately trying to close him down, Owen Bradshaw came rushing off his line and the Aston Fields forward smashed an unstoppable shot into the top left hand
corner. 1-0. Aston Fields now had their tails up and were pushing for more goals. Rubery were working hard all over the pitch trying to contain the now buoyant opposition. The lead was increased when a long ball played down
the left wing was crossed into the area the ball in caused panic & somehow managed to find its way to an Aston Fields player who's close range effort beat the dive of Owen Bradshaw, 2-0. Rubery never let their heads go down and some terrific battling all over the pitch slowly pulled them back into the contest. Owen Bradshaw's kicking was
causing the opposition some real problems (he will score this season). Kyle Vincent came on in place of Cavan O'Driscoll who had worked his socks off. Half Time 2-0
Steve Dodd's tactical knowledge saw a change at half time, Byron Ratclife partnered Sam McGinley at the back and Cavan O'Driscoll going upfront. Rubery started this half like they did the first and nearly pulled a goal back early on, a number of shots were fired in by Cavan, Reece Alex and Kyle but all were unable to beat a stubborn defence. Rubery were now starting to build up a head of steam, four corners in quick succession had Aston Fields
on the back foot. Alex Wood was unlucky to see another effort come back off the bar. Rubery were dominant, another shot arrowed in towards the Aston Fields goal, a massive deflection on its way through directed the ball
straight at the keeper. Lots of chances came and went. A quick counter attack by Aston Fields had Rubery stretched, the ball was switched from one side of the area to the other and a smart side footed finish made it three!! A cruel blow to Rubery who had dominated the second half. Another Aston attack was stopped in its tracks by Byron Ratcliff who made the tackle of the game, this seemed to lift the spirits of everyone. Liam Ratcliff was moved up front and immediately had an impact with three minutes to go. A long kick from the again impressive Owen Bradshaw was controlled in the opposition area by Liam, his attempted effort at goal was blocked and the ball ran loose to Alex Wood who blasted a first time effort into the back of the net,3-1. From the resulting kick-off possession was won back immediately. Reece Lothian had the ball in the middle of the park and ran at the rattled defence, his layoff was picked up by Alex Wood who again shot across the goalkeeper and into the far corner of the net, 3-2. With only one minute left everyone was trying to regain
possession, but it wasn't to be.

A superb effort from all....well done.We deserved something from the game. Well done the new lads, Cavan O'Driscoll & Kyle Vincent.
MOM. Sam McGinley

With this being the first league fixture for both sides the game started with a nervous atmosphere.
After ten minutes Reece Lothian picked up the ball just inside Bournville's half, he managed to beat two onrushing Bourville players race into the area and drill a low shot into the bottom right hand corner of the
net, 1-0. Bournville fought back almost immediately when a ball down the right wing was crossed in and converted by a Bourville player 1-1. With Rubery rattled the game was now starting to swing in
Bournvilles favour. Liam Ratcliff & Sam McGinley were working hard at the back trying to stem
the flow of attacks from Bournville. A long kick from Rubery keeper Owen Bradshaw was cleverly
volleyed by a Bournville player back into Rubery's half. The pacey Bournville forward managed to latch onto the bouncing through ball and expertly lobbed the ball over Owen who didn't stand a chance,1-2.
A fine piece of skill by Alex Wood on the right hand side put Bournville on the back foot, he beat a defender and drilled in a low shot that was superbly saved by the keeper, the power in the shot meant the
keeper could only parry the ball, the chance was quickly seized upon by both Reece Lothian and Luke Chilton who seemed to make contact with the ball at the same time, 2-2.Rubery were now showing signs of their form the previous week when they ran out 6-0 winners against Santiago Colts (Alex Wood netting five!!). There was some powerful runs from Byron Ratcliff & Sam McGinley. Liam Ratcliff was marshalling the back, Luke Chilton was looking dangerous upfront & Reece Lothian was winning plenty of tackles. A player who is always dangerous when he gets the ball is Alex Wood, he again worked hard for the cause, tracking back, winning tackles and making powerful runs forward. With halftime approaching Alex Wood managed to hold off the challenges from two Bournville players who had clearly not given up. Still wide out on the left & halfway inside Boonville's half Alex then somehow managed to drill a low left footed shot past the despairing dive of the Bournville keeper, 3-2. The half finished with Bournville again looking threatening & forcing Owen Bradshaw into a couple of fine saves. Both sides had at some stage been behind and managed to get themselves in front. Half Time 3-2
The second half was still a close contest with every ball being contested, the tension was almost unbearable for some of the supporters. Sam McGinley made a storming run up the right and played a great ball to the edge of the Bournville area, Luke Chilton raced in to place a first time left footed controlled shot into the bottom left hand corner, it was only what Luke's hard work had deserved, 4-2.
Almost straight from the restart Rubery won a corner on the right hand side. The ball was played in high and with pace by Alex Wood, a defender on the near post seemed to put his hand up to protect himself, the ball struck his hand which was spotted by referee Kevin O'Connell who awarded a penalty. Captain Reece Lothian stepped up to take the penalty. His rising powerful effort was bravely and expertly saved by the Bournville goalkeeper. In the closing stages Bournville came on strong and only some dogged defending and good goalkeeping from Owen Bradshaw kept the score at 4-2, however Bournville's persistence paid off. A goalmouth scrabble resulted with the ball being prodded over the line, 4-3.

A great game. Great effort from both teams. Every player on the pitch can be proud of their performance.