First game of the season and first game in the new division against a South Shields team who had dropped down 3 division. The game was always going to be a difficult one but the game got off to an even start with both teams playing some good football. Rutherford looked the most dangerous of the two sides early on, having most of the ball but struggling to make the final pass or get a meaningful shot on goal.

Shields eased their way into the game and showed some moments of promise down their right but the Rutherford defence were handling most situations well.

The first 20 minutes passed evenly until Shields broke the deadlock with a well taken goal, a through ball was only half cleared by Aodan and the resulting shot flew into the roof of the Rutherford goal to make the scoreline 1 nil.

Rutherford continued to push and forced a corner or two but it was Shields who scored next, a shot from outside the box into the centre of the goal 2-0. On the stroke of half time, Max Johnson went on a mazy dribble and was brought down by a Shields defender, up stepped the usually reliable Max Billingham but unfortunately for him and Rutherford the Shields keeper guessed right and made a good save with his legs. 2-0 at half time.

Back out for the second half with the instruction to continue to play football and release the ball earlier in the final third but before we could get going Shields scored a third after a mix up in the back 3, leaving the striker a clear run through on goal to score passed a helpless Aodan.

The 3rd goal really knocked the stuffing out the players. The players knew they were a match for Shields but they also knew that it was highly unlikely that they'd score 3 or 4 whilst keeping a clean sheet. Coaches and parents can encourage all we want (and we always do) but the players know when they're up against it.

Goals 4 to 7 were much of a muchness to be honest, most came from poor play and mistake from Rutherford. One going in from the touchline, a goal kick mix up and other soft goals in-between. The players heads had all but gone at this point and the game had become very fractured. The final act was a good piece of play and goal by Rutherford, a solid tackle by Connor set the ball forward to Elliott, who played a through ball to James, who cut the ball back to Max Johnson to score from close range. A nice goal and nice way to end the match.

A really touch start to the season and a shock to the system but as Lance Corporal Jones said to Captain Mainwaring in Dad's Army "Don't panic, DONT PANIC!!". I'm absolutely certain we'll be fine this season, sure we need to improve in certain areas, we need to stay calm and in the game when things are tough but we will work on that and other aspects. This defect will hold us in good stead for the season.

Max Johnson was the man of the match today, well done. On to Newton Aycliffe in the cup next week.

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