The Heads of the Valleys Hotshots Under 10’s played their first games of the season at the Rhondda Fawr Leisure Centre on 22^nd December 2001.

HOV Hotshots Under 10’s 2

Risca Romans 27

The first games for the Under 10’s was always going to be tough ones, but this was made harder by the fact that the net minder for the Valleys side failed to turn up for the game, so Liam Rickwood deputised.

The defence of Samantha Rodgers, Jordan Meale, and Greg Apperly were called into action early on, with midfielder’s Jamie Robinson and Michael Grovell working hard from the outset.

Jamie Lewis and Matthew Downward led the front line admirable, with Lewis coming close and Downward netting a goal in each half for the Blaenau Gwent outfit.

Despite the defeat, the Hotshots youngsters came off the pitch smiling and ready for the next game, against a very strong Cardiff side, The Howardian’s.

HOV Hotshots Under 10’s 6

Howardian’s 17

Greg Apperly replaced Rickwood in goal, and Jamie Robinson switched to the right side of defence, with Meale pushing forward for this match, and the tactical switch made all the difference.

Despite the score line, the Hotshots youngsters played a more organised game.

The Cardiff outfit went 2-0 up, but the attack of Downward and Lewis saw the Hotshots net from Lewis after Downwards hard work.

The Howardian’s responded with 4 goals before Downward made it 2 for the Valleys side.

Howardian extended their lead further at he end of the first period and at the start of the 2^nd, but a late flurry from The Hotshots saw goals from Downward, and then a further 3 from Lewis.

All credit to Greg Apperly for this game, and to Liam Rickwood for the first game, as neither have played in goal before and did really well, considering the lack of training.

Apperly may well be able to make his mark for the Hotshots in this position in the future, as some of the saves he made during the game were outstanding.