The 2024/25 season kicked off with Rutherford hosting Washington FC Lynx in Division 7 of RFYL. Washington Lynx are an established team at this level so the game promised to be a good test for newly promoted Rutherford.

Michael made his league debut after signing in the summer, lining up in midfield alongside Elliott and James, with Max Johnson ahead and Amir in the holding role. Max Billingham worked as a lone striker. Aodan was keeping goal with a back 4 of Connor, Sam, Taylor and Callum.

The match kicked off and within a minute Max Billingham pounced on a lose ball and was baring down the Washington goal, strength and speed put Max just outside the 18 yard box before he shot low in to the bottom left corner. A perfect start and a well taken goal.

Washington were a little rocked by Rutherfords lightning start but to their credit worked their way back into the match and were creating chances down the their left, looking to play their number 9 in whenever they could. Good work from Sam and Taylor kept Rutherford in front and the door firmly shut by pressing and covering each other extremely well. As the half progressed both teams settled and found their passing rhythm and it was Rutherford who got the second through Elliott following a long throw from Sam. The ball bounced around in the Washington box and Rutherford battled hard to keep the ball alive before Elliott shot low into the corner to double Rutherfords lead.

The second goal knocked the stuffing out of Washington and Rutherford's aggressive pressing style in all areas of the pitch was starting create more and more chances and it wasn't long before Michael was on the scoresheet following on from an impressive preseason. Micheal picked the ball up in central midfield and drove at the Washington back line who stood off and allowed him to get a shot away which nestled into the b bottom corner. 3 nil Rutherford at half time and a brilliant start to the campaign.

At half time Shaun and I challenged the players to keep up their high standards and increase their passing combinations in order to move through the thirds.

Within two minutes of the second half, Rutherford added to their lead, Jacob, on for Connor with Elliott dropping to right full back, playing a lovely through ball beyond the Washington back line for Max Billingham to race on to and round the keeper before finishing calmly. 3 minutes later Jacob set up Max Johnson following Sam Dixon long throw for Rutherfords 5th goal from just inside the box. A really positive start to the second half and a great example how our squad depth will undoubtably pay dividends this season.

The second half settled with Washington looking for a way back into the game but found the Rutherford back line holding firm with Sam and Taylor winning every duel. After 48 minutes Michael added to his and Rutherford tally with his second goal to make the game 6-0 to Rutherford. The level of performance and effort was really pleasing to see and were just rewards to the hard work the players were putting in. Amir added a 7th to the tally with arguably the best goal of the day, an excellent volley from the edge to the box following a partial clearance from a corner. I was right behind the ball and Amir's technique was superb as the ball skidded on the wet surface to around hip height which meant keeping the ball down very difficult to do. 7-0.

Washington, to their credit, never gave up and fought their way back into the game following a scramble from a corner which was almost cleared by Rutherford and saved by Aodan but the ball just squeezed into the far corner. This goal spurred Washington on and they had a number of chances including missing a penalty and hitting the top of the crossbar, eventually scoring 2 more goals to make the game 7-3 at full time.

A strange end to the game meant Rutherford came off the pitch slightly disappointed but it should be remembered that being 7 nil up after 55 minutes in a new league, against an established side, in a new format is extraordinary and more than we could've hoped for before the start of play.

There are a few lessons to be learned, but overall a magnificent start to the season.

From a performance point of view there were a few standouts today, Elliott was his usual selfless, hard working self. Always willing to put in the hard yards and put the side before himself. He took his goal well and showed his versatility by playing right midfield and fullback. Jacob was the epitome of a Game Changer when he came on. His passing was on point, combining with the front 3 and breaking the lines well, shooting narrowly over the bar and hitting the inside of the post in the second half. Michael scoring 2 goals on his debut was an excellent start to his time with Rutherford. Sam was brilliant at centre back, marking the Washington number 9 out of the game for large periods, winning tackles, headers and covering spaces very well. His long throws caused problems and he was dominant in both boxes at set pieces. Sam was singled out by the Washington coach as our stand out player.

However the Man of the Match award goes to Max Billingham for his tireless work rate, deadly finishing and all round link up play. Max was an absolute menace today and never let the Washington backline settle. An excellent performance and well deserving of the award.

Well done all, onwards to next week against The Foundation of Light.