The U13s hosted a local derby today against Newhaven today.

With familiar faces on both teams this one was always going to be a keenly competitve game. And it turned out to be a real cracker.

Raiders were somewhat depleted and had to shuffle the pack of their starting line up with Alwyn playing an unfamiliar left back.

Newhaven started on top with Raiders looking a little shaky but managing to hold steady with some good individual defending and work rate.

The tide started to turn as Raiders gained control of midfield and started getting behind a fragile looking Newhaven defensive line on a number of occasions.

One such occasion saw Striker Lewis jump on a mistake by Newhaven to put Raiders 1 up.

Raiders looked more likely but Newhaven broke from midfield and for the first time in the half didn't put any pressure on their runner who shot from 20 yards and squeezed one under a despairing dive from Ray

Raiders were not daunted and continued on the front foot.

A switch of Alwyn to striker who had looked uncomfortable at left back gave an instant reward as he cooly collected the ball held off a defender and then did what Alwyn does...scoring a composed finish to put Raiders in front.

With half time beckoning and Raiders looking likely to add to their lead Newhaven broke. Lewis initially did well to snuff out the attack but Newhaven recycled the ball and scrambled the ball home at the back post to send us in 2-2 at the break.

Raiders were a little disappointed but with a half time rest behind them Raiders roared out for the second half.

All of a sudden Raiders were dominant. Toby, Jenson and Ben were all over Newhaven and it was all one way traffic with Raiders not getting their shots away to retake the lead and Newhaven unable to mount any attacks of note.

Finally Raiders pressure told with Ben shooting from 20 yards. A deflection taking the ball past the keeper and giving Raiders the reward they deserved.

Raiders continued to push and not long after Alwyn got his second beating the keeper to a through ball and passing it in to the back of the net to put Raiders 4-2 up and on their way to 3 points.

Newhaven did respond ..but the defensive line of Max, Woody, Riley and Harvey were superb not giving any real chances away and keeper Ray decisive in controlling his area.

Raiders thought they had a 5th when Drew hit the underside of the bar.

There was also an almighty Grassroots scramble in the Newhaven area that somehow didn't go in and a disallowed goal for handball ..but Raiders failed to put the game out of reach.

As time ticked away Raiders continued to outwork Newhaven and managed the last 10 minutes superbly.

As the whistle was blown and Raiders win confirmed the players were jubilant after sealing a very impressive and well earned Derby win.

A great game and a performance to be really proud of from Raiders who showed grit and class.

No man of the match this week because we had 14 heroes out there who all contributed to a famous win.

Up the Raiders!