On a sunny but chilly afternoon at Baypoint, Ramsgate. The Harriers put on another strong and resilient performance after last week's tight defeat to Chartham, but ultimately were unlucky in defeat to another one of the best sides in the league.

Rising Stars came close on a couple of occasions, with Josh F making a great save for one he tipped around the post, before Joe stretched the opposition's defensive back line and came close with a shot across goal. Kyle A then had a 30 yard piledriver just whizz wide. He tried his luck again from 25 yards this time which the goalkeeper held onto at the second attempt.

Josh F then made 3 good saves from Rising Stars players as the solid backline were being really tested.

With pressing from the front Joe was causing problems on the break, and with able support really stuck the Rising Stars on the backfoot as a tight half drew to a close with the score goalless.

Into the second half and the Harrier's were well up for it from the start against a side who have only lost one game all season. A few corners came and went, Joe coming close once again but the goalkeeper held onto the the shot at the second attempt. Archie T battled willfully down the left wing back position all afternoon and forced through to tee up Josh I who's shot got blocked. Adam had a ball worked to him by Archie R and his shot from 20 yards was clawed away from the bottom corner by the goalkeeper. He also had another hit just after which was kept out. A few through balls were going through, with the goalkeeper rushing out to gather the ball at the last. Kyle A had another shot which was held onto by the goalkeeper.

Riley L put in a good display as his hold up play with his back to goal allowing the space in behind for Joe and others to run into. One momemt midway through the second half the ball was pinged into Riley he controlled the ball and laid it back off, it came back into him again and a first time through ball into Archie T showed the lads quality.

Both Olly's in defence were showing there positional awareness and putting in last ditch challenges. Some lungbursting performances were being put in by the boys in white. But then came a sucker punch. A missed tackle and a Rising Stars player landed on the ball with it hitting his hands, the ref waved play on, the cross came in from the left and went whizzing back across from the right where Josh F had rushed out after making good save upon good save, and the shot that came in he saved but palmed it across goal and was left for a tap in by a Rising Stars player.

The second followed soon after for the Rising Stars, a foul in the middle of the pitch on a Harrier's player wasn't picked up on and play continued down the right before the ball found its away to the back post where it was put away with venom by the Rising Stars striker.

Some absolutely outstanding performances put in from the boys in white, as a team they did really well against the one of the best sides in the league, going toe to toe and coming unstuck unluckily in many parents' opinions. Josh F in goal, Kyle A, both Olly's, both Archie's in midfield, Joe up top. Some really positive performances coming out of the game.

The MOM award goes to Olly L who had a outstanding performance at the back against a super front line.
Onto next week when we're back home with a local derby up against the Herne Bay Predators. One which the boys will be well up for.

#uptheharriers