18th September - Attleborough Sports 3 - St Nics Rebels 0

Another battling performance by the Rebels.

Attleborough went ahead in the last few minutes of the first half after what the Rebels would describe as the attacker tripping over his own feet, however unfortunately for the Rebels the referee saw differently and awarded a penalty. Whilst Dan in net went the right way the ball slipped under his body to give the oppostion a 1-0 lead at half time.

During the second half Dan borrowed Paul Robinson's hands and pulled off some brilliant saves to keep the Rebel's hopes alive. Attleborough were however too strong and finished the game 3-0 victors.

This was a good performance by the Rebels who as ever deserved more for the effort they put in.

Back to top

11th September - St Nicolas 1, Haunchwood 5

It all started so well. A fantastic ball from Ryan in defence, a run down the right from Reece and a thundering cross into the box which was met perfectly by Adam who drilled it home with ease.

First game, first half and we were winning and looking full of confidence. In fact we could have been further in front as the Rebels battled and played with real style.

However, Haunchwood hit back and our heads dropped after they equalised. They eventually ran out comfortable winners but the Rebels never gave up and fought bravely to the end.

Ryan was handed the much sought after man-of-the-match award after an impressive performance and hopefully with a few more games together the Rebels will be a force to be reckoned with.

Back to top

3rd April - Bedworth Eagles (H) 2 - 4 (L)

It was almost the comeback of the season.

Never-say-die Rebels were unbelievably 3-0 down despite playing some thrilling football.

They looked out for count but these boys are now well up for a fight and would have given Mike Tyson a run for his money.

First, Landon struck with a pile-driver and then Josh buried a penalty in the top corner to make the score 3-2.

Rebels fully deserved the goals but just couldn't score the equaliser and the Bedworth supporters couldn't hide their relief when their team scored again.

However, St Nic played out of their skins and are getting harder and harder to beat. The transformation is well underway and the boys are now a force to be reckoned with.

Back to top

20th March - Ambleside Marlins (A) 4 - 0 (L)

Brave Rebels battled their hearts out on the mean streets of Stockingford at the weekend.

On a pitch that resembled a ploughed field after bikers used it as a race track the Rebels turned in another improving performance going from strength to strength despite the scoreline.

With parents huddled together in a protective circle with one eye on the pitch and the other on Ian Raynes' exposed bike, the Rebels played some excellent football attacking at every opportunity
and defending with confidence.

Ok, Ambleside scored four goals but it was more than encouraging to see the Rebels compete for every ball and never stop running throughout the game.

It's only a matter of time before it all gels together.

Back to top

19th March - Bedworth Eagles (A) 2 - 0 (L)

What a game!!!

There were 9 stars for the Rebels today who all played their part in an excellent match. It’s again a shame that we couldn’t give everyone a man of the match award, but the trophy deservedly went to Luke who performed super heroics in between the goalposts. On one occasion he saved the ball FIVE times as it rebounded backwards and forwards. He was very committed and showed no fear during the game. Well-done Luke.

Everyone else played really well, and we are starting to play much more as a team with plenty of passing of the ball. We were again playing against a quality team, however played a lot of the game in the oppositions half.

Dan and Josh were solid in defence, Adam and Reece played well in midfield, Harry ran his socks off and Landon had an opportunity on goal.

At half time we were unfortunate to be one down. The second half continued much the same as the first and the Bedworth team got a second lucky goal. The boys had three goods shots on goal which didn’t trouble the keeper much but most were on target.

The parents all enjoyed watching a very entertaining game of football. Keep up the good work boys.

Back to top

13th March - Haunchwood Tigers (H) 0 - 5 (L)

Crash, Bang, Wallop. After two good results, it was back down to earth with a bump, even if it was against the 4th in the league.

There were a number of positives to take away from this however. In the first five minutes the lads held their own and we had a number of attacks which unfortunately we were unable to convert.

Reece turned up in his new boots and turned in an excellent performance showing a greater awareness and commitment than we have seen before.

The score line at half time was 0-2. Dylan had a break from goalkeeping and was replaced by Luke. George had a stint in defence and Dan moved into midfield where he added a bit of extra bite in this area.

Following on from a scramble in defence, where the boys were unable to clear their lines, the tigers scored a further fortunate goal to add to a goal they scored direct from a corner kick.

The final score ended as 0-5 however this was still a good performance. The boys still continue to improve and should gain further points as the season draws to a close with only nine more matches to play.

Back to top

6th March - Ambleside Sharks (A) 0 - 0 (D)

Four points in two games. Yes you read it right. But just to make sure.

FOUR POINTS FROM TWO GAMES!!!

That last two minutes seemed to last forever, but when that final whistle went, what relief, another point in the bag.

Everyone played their part today with Luke dropping into defence, in the absence of Dan, where he was a revelation. (Ask your mum and dad what that means Luke). He just ran and ran and was rewarded with one of the two ‘man of the match awards’, with the other going to Dylan who kept his second clean sheet in a row.

The boys are now playing much more as a team with some good passing of the ball, which is opening up the opposition’s defence and creating goal scoring opportunities. Reece, Landon and Harry all had shots and were unfortunate not to score.

It’s a pity there wasn’t a prize for everyone who played today. Josh had a quiet game, mainly due to the fact we were in the opposition's half so much. When the ball did come to him he was composed, tackled well and played some brilliant passes out of defence. Adam was up and down the pitch and again tackled well and did a couple of excellent one touch passes. Last but by no means least comes George, who came on for a short period of time but made a solid contribution to the game.

An excellent performance all round. Keep up the good work boys.

Back to top

20th February - Admirals (A) 0 - 1 (W)

Yes you read right...we won)

GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLL!

DEFEND, DEFEND, DEFEND!

THANKYOU GOD...WE'VE WON IT!

These were the rollercoaster scenes of hope, celebration, nervous tension and then delirious jubilation.

Yes, you better believe it, the Rebels have won and they thoroughly
deserved it.

Even Davy Crockett woke from his slumber in a hedge at Ambleside and Realised his staunch Alamo defending days were not wanted as the rampant Rebels turned to attack and ripped apart Rugby in the freezing cold.

The pitch was almost frozen solid, as hard as the breeze blocks boarding up the near-by shops and houses. But the Rebels soon burned tracks in the ice as all of them put in a determined, well organised display. They were more Germany than Brazil and grinded away sensing something was in the cold air.

And it came when Landon picked up the ball on the left and for a split second looked as though he had slightly pushed it too far wide. There was an OOOOOO! from the shivering St Nicolas crowd but then the OOOO! became a screaming YESSSSSSSS! as he hammered the ball home with the sweetest of left foot drives.

What a moment, what a goal. In fact, we should have been a goal up earlier than that but a blatant handball was missed by the bleary eyed ref, obviously too many pints the night before.

Mid table mediocrity here we come....

Back to top

13th February - Nuneaton Boy Bears - Postponed

Match Postponed

Back to top

6th February - Haunchwood Panthers (A) 2 - 0 (L)

It was another painful morning as the Panthers pounced and and made a meal of the battling Rebels.
Hopes were high that St Nicolas would collect some needy points but two stunning strikes put an end to our hopes despite a brave battle. In fact, St Nicolas could have taken the lead but unfortunately Landon's shot just whistled past the post as the Rebels looked to be getting on top in a real end-to-end first half.
However, a piledriver from the Panthers knocked us for six and although the boys battled hard, particularly man-of-the-match Josh, we couldn't find a way through the defence.
I'm sure points are just round the corner...

Back to top

30th January - Grove Farm Ravens (H) 0-10 (L)

Rampant Grove Farm ploughed up battling St Nicolas Rebels with a ten-goal blast on Saturday.
However, the Rebels fought to the bitter end and despite the goals
thundering in refused to give up the chase.
An excellent Grove Farm team had a dream start with an unfortunate early goal and the Rebels were always up against it after that.
Josh was the pick of our players and deservedly picked up the
man-of-the-match award.
So, although we may feel battered and bruised let's hope with Spring just round the corner the Rebels can once again find the sort of form that led to some real battling performances and a couple of points.

Back to top

16th January - Chetwynd Falcons (H) 0 - 3 (L)

HOPES were high after last week's battling performance against the Colts.
But they faded away in the early morning sunshine at Milby.
The Rebels started well and looked just as good as Chetwynd but just couldn't find the killer instinct in front of goal.
Adam was particularly impressive at the back and powered his clearances down the pitch to set up several attacks.
However, Chetwynd also defended well and once they took the lead were always in the driving seat.
And By George! George had a storming game when he came on in the second half and was deservedly named man-of-the-match after some brilliant aggressive tackling.
Things can only get better...can't they?

Back to top

9th Jan - St Nics Colts (A) 5 - 0 (L)

STAND-UP you battling Rebels and take a bow!
The last time we met Colts rattled home 16 goals. They thought it would be pretty much the same... and who were we to disagree?
However, nobody told the rampaging Rebels. And they had other ideas. Although runaway league leaders the Colts were always going to run out comfortable winners, the Rebels almost scored what would have been a memorable shock goal. Landon came agonisingly close twice and was bundled down in the box for a
clear penalty, only for the referee ? who looked so young he could have been playing ? to wave play on.
But with gutsy, never-say-die performances from all the boys it was
a great start to 2005 and will hopefully lead to a few victories this year.

Back to top

19th December - Bulkington Sports (H) 0 - 7 (L)

IT was more Rebel Hell than Rebel Yell as St Nicolas stumbled on the frosty pitch to a fired-up Bulkington side.
Rebels only had a bare minimum of players and our Magnificent Seven couldn't blast their way to victory. Where's Davy Crockett when you need him?
The boys worked hard in the first half and were unlucky to go a goal down but Bulkington took control as the game went on. However, the Rebels refused to give up, but Santa didn't bring us the goals we had asked for ? he's probably too busy making presents.
However, at least Ian and Mark got what they wanted ? and they strutted their newly acquired musclebound bodies to the Birdie Song at the St Nic Christmas party.
Happy Christmas everyone.

Back to top

12th December - St Nics Warriors (A) 0-0 (D)

REMEMBER the Alamo? You know the film where Davy Crocket's brave band of Texans eventually fell to the American invaders.
Well, this game was the Alamo 2, but this time no rampaging Mexicans managed to breach the defensive wall and even the battling Warriors couldn't find a way through.
Who needs Davy Crocket when we've got the gutsy Rebels...mind you his Raccoon-style hat would have been handy to keep the kids' ears warm.
Anyway 'tis the season to be merry and we were all very merry after the Rebels clocked up awell-earned point against their high-flying pals.
The Warriors launched wave after wave of attacks but the Rebels refused to give up and always looked dangerous on the break of grabbing victory.
There is no need to highlight the performance of any of our players
because they all deserve a mention and the whole team were awarded the Man of the Match prize.
And after the final whistle as we trudged home through the Milby mud I swear I saw Mr Crocket himself disappearing behind the hedge nodding approvingly of a defensive job well done.

Back to top

5th December - Attleborough Sports (H) 0-3 (L)

OUCH! St Nicolas Rebels fell to a determined Attleborough side despite a battling performance in the Milby mud on Sunday.
In fact, Rebels more than held their own for the first 15 minutes but fell behind to a well worked goal.
Attleborough then struck with a killer second goal just before half
time...although the confused ref played well over time as he seemed unsure how long a league game in this age group went on for.
It was always going to be a struggle in the second half but the Rebels refused to give up and defended bravely.
Reece, who deservedly was named man of the match, was particularly busy and George also made some vital tackles at the back. Dylan (named spelled correctly this week) also made one
superb save from a thunderous drive just outside the box.
All of the other lads also deserve credit for battling on in an uphill
struggle.

Back to top

28th November - Bedworth Eagles (A) 2 - 0 (L)

BATTLING St Nicolas Rebels almost sent high-flying Eagles crashing to earth on a freezing rain-swept Sunday morning .

Bedworth froze in the icy conditions as fired-up Rebels warmed the hearts of their supporters shivering under a solitary umbrella on the muddy sidelines.

And it was the Rebels who almost struck in the first few minutes when striker Landon's dazzling run deserved a goal but his thundering drive just whistled past the post.

Eagles hit back but couldn't break down the stubborn St Nicolas defence marshalled by Adam who picked up the highly sought after Man of the Match award with a dominant performance.

Bedworth eventually broke the deadlock with a pile driver of a goal but even then the Rebels refused to give up and the score remained 1-0 at half time.

Eagles managed to scramble another goal in the second half but Rebels continued to attack and always looked likely of scoring.

And as the referee blew the final whistle St Nicolas fully deserved the standing ovation from the sidelines, although the furious clapping was also partly to keep warm and relief that the sanctuary of a warm, dry car was minutes away.

But from Dillon in goal, who didn't put a foot wrong, to every player in the team they turned in a performance of heroic proportions which should boost their confidence against lesser teams.

Back to top

21st November - Ambleside Sharks (H) 1 - 3 (L)

Another good performance by all the boys who played today with the Rebels taking an early lead through a free kick by Adam Raynes who left the goalkeeper with little chance as the ball looped over him and into the net.
An unfortunate slip by stand in keeper Luke Wagg led to Ambleside drawing level. Luke did not let this dishearten him and he played admirably in goal for the rest of the game. Reece Lloyd came off injured and was replaced by George Sharpe who whilst only on the pitch for a short period of time played his best football so far this season.
The defence of Adam, Daniel Robbins and Joshua Morgan played well and were assisted by Oliver Mallabone and Reece in midfield.
Landon Mitchell played as a lone striker and ran his socks off but was not rewarded for his efforts with a goal.
Ambleside went on to score a further two goals to win 1 - 3. The Rebels however again did themselves proud with a sterling performance.

Back to top