05/09/2026
Sheila Scott Scott Scott Cup
A competition the Thunder have had a love / hate relationship with. Semi final, quarter final, semi final in our first three seasons. It didn't exist as Under 11s, but it is back, in some elaborate Champions League style first round guise. Clearly a money making scheme driven by a lucrative Sky Sports deal, the Thunder will start their campaign with 4 games to rank all the teams. No idea what happens then with the cup. Alas, I have rambled enough.
Atherstone Rangers Thunder started their first campaign of competitve football with a visit to Next Gen Wizards, regular opponents of ours over the years. Our last game was in a pre-season friendly in 2025, a 3-2 defeat.
Joel made his full debut today, and thankfully, the 12 Thunders of last year all returned on new and improved contracts, and also after their opening secondary school experience.
Sunny, and windy, and a gentle gradient to the green, green grass-covered pitch set the scene. The Wizards asked us to kick down hill and down wind to begin. A fast start was imperative, and we didn't really get that to begin with. Finn had fairy liquid on his gloves, as the early exchanges were really even. But we battled well to minimise risks. Alas, our Ukranian machine Markiian persisted down the right, and produced a measured cross for the mercurial Finley Winrow to bury the opener around 15 minutes in. Rowan, was withdrawn as striker for Joel who set about covering every blade of grass. Cooper began to dominate down the left, Benji got on the ball more and more. Finn turned into prime Neuer sweeper-keeper, Sammy and Carter won every single battle, Archie is fast becoming a menace, we were grew into the game exceptionally well.
The changes didn't reduce our output. Leo in CDM, was outstanding. Oakley in defence was cultured, and took many David Luiz-esque risks on the ball. Aodhan came on down the right and got took out abhorrently, by absolutely nobody, in one of the most cynical fouls by a ghost of all time. Maybe it was a Wizards' spell? Carter and Rowan moved into the number 10 slots, think Palmer and Rogers, and from then on we created a host of chances. Joel was getting grabbed, kicked, thrown to the floor, but he just kept going. After creating a couple of chances, he eventually won a penalty. Cooper expertly converted. That's a goal in his last three games; the boy is on fire!
Rowan came alive, and after Joel again held the ball up and was thrown to the floor, the ref played an outstanding advantage as Rowan skipped between 3 players and slotted past the keeper. A beautiful goal.
Half-time came and went, and kicking up hill and into the wind with the grass a tad long, would on paper, create a problem. I was wrong. The boys were magnifcent. After a few close efforts, Finley sent Rowan on the way in the inside left channel to race through, round the keeper and finish expertly with his left foot. Prime Winrow. Prime Hill.
Sammy produced the most acrobatic overhead kick attempt in history, and as typical Sammy goes, was back clearing a ball on the edge of our area 10 seconds later. Just unreal. Oakley and Carter again dominated all their battles, and Leo in midfield positioned himself superbly all second half. His biggest contribution came shortly afterwards. Markiian, pouncing on an on-rushing keepers clearance, lobbed it back towards goal, and a Next Gen defender unfortunately converted into his own net. Clearly upset, Leo ran the majority of the pitch to check on him. That's exactly the kind of person I want these lads to become. Very proud.
Benji took a nasty knock late on, the magic spray getting it's first use of the season, but a 5-0 win was secured. A great start!
Next week, Cottage Farm Rangers, away. 9am kick off. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, 8am online.
The Sheila Scott Cup league table can be found here.
