Rushall Village FC U14s kicked off their season against a strong Lichfield side in what proved to be a challenging and frustrating encounter. From the outset, the match was marred by inconsistent officiating and a series of questionable decisions that disrupted our rhythm and undermined the players’ confidence.

After conceding the opening goal, heads understandably dropped, and the momentum shifted heavily in favour of the opposition. At times, it felt as though we were facing more than just eleven players, with the referee’s conduct – mocking and mimicking our players – adding to the sense of injustice and making the task ahead even more difficult.

Despite the adversity, our boys showed tremendous character and talent to claw their way back into the game. The first goal was a beautifully constructed move through the centre of the pitch, with Rio delivering a precise pass into Jareal’s feet, who finished clinically. The second was a moment of brilliance: Jareal rose to meet a corner, nodding it on to Kayden, who controlled it on his chest and volleyed it into the top corner, a goal worthy of any highlight reel.

In the second half, further controversy arose when the referee deemed two of our players ineligible to continue due to their light grey kit, claiming it resembled his own attire – despite him wearing a bright yellow bib. This decision, among others, contributed to a sense of imbalance throughout the match, as our opponents were allowed to proceed without similar scrutiny.

While the result wasn’t what we hoped for, credit must be given to Lichfield for their clinical finishing and resilience. Our lads showed flashes of brilliance and a fighting spirit that will serve them well in the season ahead. With fairer officiating and continued teamwork, we’re confident brighter performances are on the horizon.