Atherstone Rangers Thunder

26/10/2026

This weekend we travelled to Dosthill for a 9am kick off. Not necessarily something I enjoy, or indeed Thunder have a great record with, but the pitch was good, and on the whole it was dry.

Finn returned from his chest and throat infections, but we lost Oakley to a bad back, and Finley to Scarefest at Alton Towers to see his cousin Paige as a live actor. When in-fact all he needed to do was see his Auntie Sian if he wanted to get scared.

Seeking our first win in Division One, we faced a team that beat us in The Sheila Scott Cup when a victory would have won us the trophy. Always tough competitive games.

There was a steely determination about the lads from the outset. Winning most of the first contacts, and looking to pass with real purpose, we began to create a number of chances. Cooper had the ball in the net early, but their keeper had been hurt in a collision before the goal and was stranded, so it was right to stop the game. Sammy and Carter looked excellent at the back. Aodhan and Cooper were both sublime on each side of the pitch, although we a little quiet through the middle of the park. Rowan was brought off so I could give him some instructions to come back on as a number 10, with Joel leading the line instead. Once on, Joel had set Rowan up for the first goal within 15 seconds. Turns out I understand football better than Xavi Alonso, who was pathetic that evening against Spurs.

Shortly after, Joel again was busy creating havoc, and set it across goal for Cooper to fire into the empty net. Benji was playing further up, as Leo went on as CDM, and played a blinder. Winning the ball, before releasing Aodhan, to Joel and then to Coops. Finn had a couple of chances to deal with, but despite the precipitation, handled the ball superbly well. It was nice to have him back.

Half time was a cheery one at 2-0, but then again, we lost 9-2 the other week from 2-0 up at half-time. Thankfully, focus was good and Aodhan was quick to control the ball, draw a defender and send Rowan on his way to beat the defender, run past the keeper and calmly finish into the gaping net. There were further chances to score, but the next goal came Dosthill's way. Not much Finn could do with it, but possibly four of the lads could have got a foot in at some point to prevent the goal. Alas, the boys settled back down, and played some good football again. Joel took Leo's pass well, released Cooper who sped away from his defender, drew the keeper and laid it off for Aodhan to finish from the edge of the box. A genuinely superb goal. We even had time for Joel to miss an open goal before the full time whistle, as the rain began to fall.

A win at last, and some good quality goals, whilst missing two really key members of our team too.

SPOTM, chosen by Sarah, went to Leo. All action, a proper destroyer - won so many challenges and 50-50s, and kept possession really well. I could have chosen Aodhan again to follow on from last week, perhaps Finn, Rowan's 2 goals, or Joel's assists, but I went for Cooper. A real captain's performance - led the warm up pre-game, encouraged all of his team mates all game. Scored a great goal, and it was an even better assist for Aodhan's goal. A dominant display.

26/10/2026

I was very deflated a week ago, still sad about how we didn't get a draw vs Polesworth. In that game, we had the perfect start, Joel racing through to bury a great finish in the first minute, after good work by our stand-in keeper Rowan having lost Finn to his annual lung-related failures, and a flick by Markiian set him on the way.

For the next 10 minutes, it was generally hopeless. The boys playing a high line for whatever reason, two throw ins over the top later and we were 2-1 down in quick succession. A 3rd for the dominant Swifts followed, and the boys needed to step up and show some character. And credit to them, they did. The wide threats were being better dealt with, and with more composure, and more structured defending, Rowan did not concede another goal or game. Joel had a stint upfront, as did Finley and Benji, as we looked for a Rowan replacement. Ben held it up really well and was perhaps our best ball playing footballer on the day. Cooper became more composed, working well with Oakley, whilst Carter, Leo and Sammy gave themselves more chances to defend infront of themselves by dropping 5 yards deeper. Aodhan was electric, and worked his socks off, and had the right side of the pitch under his control, especially in the second half.

And in that second half, we huffed and puffed, perhaps didn't stay composed on the ball like we could have, but eventually the pressure told as Markiian swept in a Joel corner on the volley with 4 minutes to go. Three minutes later, Markiian had the ball in the net again, a great intercahnge on the edge of the box setting him free, whilst simultaneously, the parent volunteering as Polesworth's linesman put his hands to his head as he could envisage the equaliser about to be scored. The referee, blew his whistle for offside, having seen the flag move, and as the ball hit the net, and the linesman said it wasn't offside, it was disallowed all the same. Nobody's fault, just damn rotten luck.

Polesworth won the game, and are looking a great team this season. But we can point to three defeats on the bounce and three games where decisions haven't been kind.

POTM for the game was Aodhan, who worked tirelessly, showed skill on the ball and some great decisions were made. Slide tackles everywhere, a really determined performance and set the tone once 3-1 down.

I also selected Joel for his work rate. Superb goal, he continued to harass the opposition defence, and took a bit of a clattering a couple of times from their centre back, who seemed desperate for his shirt. A great addition to the squad.

16/10/2026

Well, the cliche - a game of two halves - was never more apt than last Saturday.

2-0 up at half time. Played well. Joel and Rowan with the goals, assisted by each other too. Other chances missed. Finn commanding his area well, the defence solid. With Cooper missing, Joel filled the left hand side void very well.

The second half, for 5 minutes, we were unreal. Pass, pass, pass. Triangles, movement, really positive in our play. And then we got absolutely battered. Fair play to Amington who kept the ball alive, and recognised that downwind they could clip it over the midfield and gain so many overloads, which they took full advantage of. Some of the lads could have possibly put more of a shift in when it came to tracking back and trying to stop shots and win back the ball, and despite their protests after the game about a couple of decisions that went against them, certainly we deserved to be defeated for the last 20 minutes.

Anyway, we go again vs Polesworth this weekend at home, with a flat back 6. Cooper is back from suspension. Let's do this!

Finn was awarded SPOTM, nominated by Adam for his first half display. I chose Rowan, who was showing some footballing intelligence as the game went south, and identified where the gaps were and tried to drop in and fill them. Scored a wonderful goal too, and did a great job rescuing the ball from a parry from the keeper to help set up Joel for the opener.

04/10/2026

Well, our 1st competitive league game, away at probably the best team in the division, was never going to be easy. And alas, our first red card in the opening quarter, made the task rather difficult, after a reasonably even start to the game.

A game where we had some great chances, and failed to take any of them. And a game where we opened the scoring with an unlucky own goal, and then a deflection.

Still, a hell of a lot of effort, heads didn't drop after going down to 8, and nothing but admiration for all the boys. Finn made some excellent second half saves. Carter and Oakley were solid under a siege. Markiian relentless in all manner of positions, Finley often the sole voice organising the team. Archie battled hard down the right. Joel a roadrunner, earning himself some great chances in the 1st half when upfront. Rowan offered a lot in the 2nd half and ran the line well, and with a more clinical streak perhaps could have scored 4, hitting the post late on from distance.

SPOTM went to Sammy. Now it is rare I guess when conceding 9, a defender stands out, but he was probably the stand out player on the pitch. Recovery runs, blocks, tackles, passing. It was all there. And the MPOTM for me went to Leo, who came on when we were in a pickle, and he harrassed, and pressed and blocked and intercepeted so often. So impressed with him.

Next week, we are at home to Amington Diamonds, formerly Hurley King Cobras, formerly Cottage Farm Rangers United.

03/10/2026

After a final Sheila Scott Cup defeat away at Amington Diamonds, the Thunder face their first competitive league game today.

Placed in Division 1, we travel to Elford to face the Galaxy later today. And for the first time in a month, we should have a full squad to select from.

Go well, lads.

25/09/2026

The Thunder welcomed the Gazelles last Saturday in our 3rd Sheila Scott Cup league phase match. As a teacher, I have always liked a Gazelle, madame gazelle being a voice of reason amongst the absolute diabolical cast list on Peppa Pig.

Still missing both Carter’s, Leo and Sammy were charged with marshalling the defence again, with Aodhan and Markiian returning to the starting IX. We imposed ourselves quickly on the game, and for the first 5 minutes passed it superbly, and Cooper opened the scoring from a great Markiian through ball. 1-0, and on the way. However, we lost our way. Rushed passing, poor first touches amongst the long grass and bumpy pitch, and some ropey finishing from a number of Thunder players, kept the game on edge. Finley was marshalling the team really well, and when Joel was on the prowl our press looked excellent. Archie was very tenacious as he continues to imprpve game on game. In defence, Sammy used Finn really well, who was excellent with his distribution all game. Despite the huff and puff, the game was finely poised as we headed into the half time break.

Trying to keep the game simple was the message, pass, move, pace, and win the game through effort. It took another 15 minutes, but things started to click.

A Cooper cross was met with a wonderful Rowan header to get his first, a super goal. Markiian, released by Cooper after some fantastic initial work by Benj and Finley gave Rowan a chance to find the net again and score a 2nd. And Finley, whose leadership and organising all game deserved a goal contribution got that as he crossed from the right for Rowan to complete a hatrick in just over 10 minutes.

A really good last quarter, a 4-0 win, and one of 5 teams with a 100% record so far.

This weekend, we face Amington Diamonds Blues, one of the other 100% teams, in the final game of the league stage (I think anyway). Always going to be a tough fixture for us, but we go to Anker Valley on Saturday with a slightly more complete squad, hopefully only missing one.

Supporters POTM was Finn. Not a lot of saves to make, but really tidy with the back passes and goal kicks he took and really proactive in supporting the defence.

My POTM went to Finley. Refereeing the game meant I was able to fully appreciate how much effort he puts in, how encouraging he is to his team mates, and how he has a voice all his team mates listen to.

13/09/2026

13/09/2026

For 5 seasons, I have busily tried to keep an up date of goals, assists, starting line ups, math incidents amd the like. The data nerd within me enjoys the spreadsheets the most. And then yesterday, as Finley opened the scoring with a scorching freekick, I hadn't even unlocked my phone before an FTACT notification arrived. Our own Steve Jobs, also called Steve, has been helping develop a brilliant grassroots team management app, check it out.

To the game itself, we made our debut on the Tanworth Enterprise grass, after many a battle on the 4G pitch. It was our 2nd game of the group phase of the Sheila Scott Cup. Missing our Carter's to Turkey teeth and swollen fingers, the eleven Atherstone Rangers Thunder lads stepped up well.

The boys were superb in the opening 10 minutes, with Finley scoring a tremendous free kick, Cooper bagging a hatrick from Finley and Joel assists, and Joel scoring a sublime goal from a brilliant Cooper pass, returning the favour. Archie had the right hand side under control. Leo and Sammy led the defence well, and were eventually assisted with Rowan dropping back to give Sammy a rest. Cottage Farm scored a couple we could have avoided, but a Markiian free kick provided a pre-half time boost.

A switch around saw Rowan go in goal to give Finn some outfield minutes. Sammy started to maraud further up, with Benj and Aodhan given striker roles. Finley continued to be a provider, ending the game with 4 assists, one a corner met sweetly with Sammy's big 'ed. Finley found another goal of his own, with Markiian and Sammy also completing hatricks. This was Sammy's 2nd, almost 4 years after his first against the same opponents. FTACT not got de history knowledge, bruv.

Benji who assisted one goal, was fouled in the box, and Finn was given the chance to take the penalty. He duly dispatched it for his second ever Thunder goal, having won a number of shootout comps in training, it was great to give him that chance.

A 13-2 win, and the Thunder sit 2nd in the Sheila Scott rankings so far.

Cooper received the Supporters Player trophy, chosen by Nick in a real shun to Archie after the verbal agreement made one week prior. Deserved though, a hatrick, 2 assists, and lots of work.

My POTM went to Sammy, for recognition of not just that game, but also the previous week where he was also unreal. A great hatrick, with his bullet header a standout goal.

Next week, we head home to play the Gazelles at 9.30am

12/09/2026

Only 9 hours until the Thunder are back out playing in the Sheila Scott Cup.

Away vs Cottage Farm Rangers, I swear someone told me once as they get older the kick offs get later.

9am. 9 A M.

See the diehard Thunder fans there. Tickets still available on the gate - take cash and card.

12/09/2026

Some post-game analysis