Old Rivs Jets

25/11 Away vs Daisy Hill Raptors - Players Cup

It was our first game in 5 weeks! It was great to see a full turn out of the squad today on a bright but cold morning!

Today saw Dan get to 100 appearances for the team! Dan is our vice captain and is a fantastic player, but more importantly has a brilliant attitude, always looks out for his teammates and gives 100% in everything he does. He’s scored 74 goals for us to date! Well done Dan, congratulations and thank you for everything you bring to the Jets!

Before the game I asked the squad to really concentrate on the patterns of play we’ve been working on and after the first 5 minutes really settled into the game and some of the football we played was fantastic, which is a credit to the lads given the break in matches we’ve had to endure!
Jack broke the deadlock with a lovely goal from distance. Josh F, Dan, Charlie and Gabe all added to the tally, making it 0-5 at half time.

We couldn’t be happier with the performance so there wasn’t much to say at half time.
Daisy Hill came out with purpose and made it harder for us, but the patience payed off and Nathan got his rewards for all the hard work with a goal. Quickly followed by Freddie and Seth!

Daisy Hill never gave up, and in fact really played well for a spell and deserved the goal they got back.
The game ended 1-8, and even thought the scoreline suggests a good performance, it really was in terms of shape, possession and team working, proven by the 8 different goal scorers, all sticking to their jobs and playing great football.

Special mention to Seb in goal who only had a few moments in the game but his 100% concentration pulled off 2 great saves.
Man of match performances went to Aaron and Cal who were brilliant in the middle of the park today. Doing the unsung hero’s work, great first touches, rarely giving the ball away and fantastic distribution!

Well done Jets! On to the next round! 🏆

14/10 away vs Moorside Rangers

After a wet week we were relieved we could play the game, the pitch was in good condition but the team talk was about how we adapted to a small pitch from the one we were used to and how alive we needed to be.
We only went 1-0 down in the first minute 🤣🤯but credit to the jets we passed the ball well, challenged for every tackle and created chances.
Charlie and Nathan opened the scoring with quick goals.
Credit to the holding midfield players Aaron, Cal, and Josh F who the first half did all the simple things well and created the chances for our forward players.
We went into half time at 1-6 up including a huge free kick from Cal that was towards half way!

The second half saw a much more organised Moorside, who worked hard making it much harder for us to play. We did however create several chances and were unlucky with a few decisions, but that’s football for you. Dan and Nath got the second half goals for a 1-8 victory.

Goals from Nath (3), Charlie (2), Seth, Cal and Dan. 🙌🏼⚽️

Man of the match performances by Freddie and Nath 👏🏼 well done Jets!

7th October away vs Tika Taka Pirlo’s (reversed to home pitch)

After a week off we really tried to enthuse the lads with the same messages from the last game and implement what we’ve worked on in training.

A momentous moment for our goalkeeper and one of our founding players - Seb. 100 appearances today! Congratulations and thank you Seb! 👏🏼

From the off we were a little slow, we weren’t moving around the pitch efficiently and were often not in the right places whilst in possession. Despite this we got a few early goals. Ironically the last 15 mins of the half was when we played better football but didn’t get any goals. 0-4 up at half time.

The half time message was to carry on as we’d just finished, with a few individual asks to ensure the possession created chances.

The second half was a complete performance, the small details we’d worked on were brilliant. The back 3 and Seb were brilliant, supported by our wing-backs. Their work marking and keeping possession set the tone for the day, allowing the forwards to do their thing and the goals kept coming. A fantastic squad performance today. Our best of the season, maybe one of the best ever as a team.

We finished 0-15. Goals from Charlie (3), Josh F, Nath (4), Josh C (3) and Dan (4) 🙌🏼

Man of the match performances from Jack and Seth!

23rd September home vs Woodbank

After an improved performance last week it was important we kept the momentum going and the squad understanding their roles in more detail.
The message before the game was the same as previous weeks, if we make small improvements on the existing things we are doing we will turn the season around.

We started fantastically going 3-0 up. Woodbank never gave up and were a threat throughout. They got one back but we continued to dominate possession and keep the ball. We went into half time 6-1 up.

The message was more of the same, with a few tweaks. The second half was just as good. There were a couple of lapses in concentration but overall our link up play in the final third was a huge leap forward. Big shout out to Seth getting his first goal today and a great debut for Aaron. 👏🏼

Goals for Seth, Charlie (4), Nath (3), Dan and Jack (2) 👏🏼

Man of the match Aaron and Nath 🙌🏼

9th Sept home vs Jogobola Orange

It’s fair to say that our transition from 9v9 to 11aside hasn’t been the best and I take the responsibility for that. I underestimated the required fitness levels and our ability to use the space effectively, which led to a disappointing start to the season.

With those things in mind we set the seasons first game off with one key messages.
Improve on the last weeks performance. Specifically formation/shape, stamina and communication.

Despite going 0-1 down we had control of the game and took a 3-2 lead midway through the first half. Unfortunately we couldn’t lake that lead into the half time break and we were 3-3.
Our performance was good and we just needed to focus on the simple things of slowing the play down in transition.
We tired in the second half and concentration lapsed at times which meant we were 3-5 down with 5 mins to go.
We suddenly found our second wind and fought really hard getting a goal back and narrowly missed out on an equaliser. The game ended 4-5 🫤

Goals from Nathan, Jack and Dan (2)

Fantastic league debut for Freddie who got man of the match along with Seth 👏🏼

Yesterday was the end of a chapter for 2 of our players, Noa and Max.

It’s sad to see you both move on, but we are so proud to have shared so many positive experiences with you. Watching you both develop has been an absolute pleasure.
Your attitude, positivity and performances have been outstanding, and you’ve always had a significant impact on our performances and results, helping us win a cup final, finalists the following year and now to 2nd in the league.

Noa has been with us since the age of 6, a fantastic member of our team having played in various roles within the team and has always been a top performer, winning well deserved player of the year trophies. He has scored a staggering 70 goals for us, and without a doubt covered in excess of 2376 miles - I’ve never known anyone run as much, he has this ability to just appear all over the pitch! 🤣

Max joined us in the 2020/21 season and slotted straight into our midfield, Max has great technical ability and can always see a pass. He constantly tries to play a clever ball between the lines and is usually successful. He won player of the year in his first season as well as a cup winners medal that same year. Max played in the number 28, so it was fitting he scored 28 goals for the team!

Where ever life takes you both, you’ll always have a home with the Jets, you’ve both got amazing personalities that I’m sure will bring you success in everything you do.

From all of us at the club, thank you, good luck and it really has been a pleasure. ❤️🖤❤️🖤

Lona JonesKevin EcclestonAngie Eccleston

Home vs AFC Burden Park Galaxy

Last game of the season. Galaxy were fighting for survival along with around 5 other teams. The pitch was the best it’s been all year.
We started really well, the first half on a whole we kept the ball rolling and linking passes together nicely. We were 4-1 up at half time.

Second half was a different story… Galaxy came out a different team, and we tried to deal with their intensity with a degree of lethargy, and our shape across the pitch was completely different and was out of position; this is something we have to work on over the summer.
We got our 5th goal but conceded from a great volley and a silly goal we can definitely learn from.

The game ended 5-3. Goals from Josh F, Cal (2), Nath and Noa. 👏🏼⚽️

Man of the match went to Noa and Dan. 🙌🏼🏆

We’ve had a fantastic season, finishing 2nd in the league, losing only 2 games and 1 draw… you’d have to be crazy not to take that at the beginning of the season! Unbelievable to think it wasn’t enough to win the league… but that’s football and we are unbelievably proud of you all!

The development this season has been huge and the style of football we play keeps improving. On we go to the next season. Exciting challenges ahead with a changing squad and moving to 11 aside.

Well done boys! Thank you all for your hard work and commitment! ❤️🖤❤️🖤⚽️👏🏼🙌🏼

Home vs Adlington Bears

The penultimate game of the season, missing a couple of players. I couldn’t get to the first half due to work commitments 🙄 but when I did get there we were 4-1 up. It sounded like drama all over the pitch, end to end game conceding 2 penalties, 1 saved by Seb! 🧤⚽️
We always looked in control of the result but very scrappy at times, and conceded a ridiculous goal from a goal kick due to lack of concentration. Thankfully it was captured on film and we can definitely learn from these things.

Goals from Dan (4) Nath and Cal. 👏🏼
Man of the match went to Dan and Seb! 🙌🏼

On we go to the last game of the season on Saturday ❤️🖤❤️🖤⚽️⬆️

13/05 home vs Ramsbottom Hustlers

Hustlers were set up strong, and had great shape. The game was goalless for 15mins before we took the lead. We got a second but the game wasn’t done and the Hustlers were always a threat. The proved it by getting a goal back.
Very soon after the restart we got a goal back and settled into the game some more. It was another strong performance all round and the game ended 4-1.
Goals from Josh F (3) and Nath 👏🏼
Man of the match went to James and Josh F 🙌🏼

Well done boys. By our calculations we’ve secured promotion! 🎉🎉🎉 So proud of you all!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

06/05 away vs Blackrod

Very quickly we went 1-0 down!… but we got one back just as quick… before half time it was 2-3… possibly a wake up call for the boys, who had to adapt their shape and remember to use the width when in possession. As soon as they did the goals didn’t stop.

The game ended 2-14 with goals from Nath (5) Dan (3) Josh F (3) and Max (3). Man of the match performances from Tobias and Noa! 👏🏼

Great result boys! ⚽️💥

01/05 away vs Mossbank Whites

A warm evening in Bolton, on a soft pitch, the weather really can’t make its mind up.
Given the conditions we settled quickly and played some of better football.
The second half in particular was brilliant. Fantastic goals from Dan (3), Josh F and Jack, bolstered by one from Nath and Josh C too.

Man of the match went to Jack and Dan.

Well done boys!! Great performance following Saturdays result. So proud! 👏🏼

29/04 home vs BISC Aces

Huge match. It could’ve taken the league to the wire with a result against the Aces.

We started brilliantly, both teams were giving it their best. It was a very tight game 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2… we just needed to make better choices when under pressure, but instead we got caught and the Aces capitalised. 3-3, then 3-4 with 5 mins to go. It pains me to say ot but the pressure took it’s toll and it showed with a few decisions in possession that resulted in us conceding 2 more goals.
These are the moments you have to learn from though and we spoke at length. The boys know how they performed overall in the game and without doubt the result doesn’t reflect that. But that’s football.

The test is how we pick ourselves up and move forward. Come on Jets let’s go again! 💪🏼💥

The goals came from Max, Nath and Dan! 👏🏼

25/04 home vs Ramsbottom Tornadoes

We tried to apply some of the thing we learnt from the last fixture with them, but to be fair to them Tornadoes stood firm and it was 1-1 for while.
We did improve and made much better use of the space as the game went on and ended the game 5-1 against a strong Tornadoes side. Goals from Nath (2) Gabe, Noa and Dan.

Well done tonight Jets! 👏🏼

17/04 away vs Adlington Bears

The first of our midweek fixture catching up with the rubbish winter weather.

It was a shaky start to the game, trying to play our football but it was quickly 1-2 to us and an end to end game.
We managed to get a run together and a flurry of goals came.
The game ended 2-8, which doesn’t acknowledge how hard Adlington fought. Some lovely goals scored, they came from Nath (3) Dan (2) Cal (2) and Josh F

Well done boys! 👏🏼

15/04 away Ladybridge Leopards

The small pitch didn’t suit us at all. We were cramped, despite going 3 goals up we took too many chances in possession when we didn’t have time. The game ended 3-3 despite us giving it everything in the last 5 mins and creating lots of chances.
Goals from Nath, Josh F and Max.

Well done Jets, we learn and go again 👏🏼

01/04 Home vs Ramsbottom Tornadoes

Credit has to be given to the opposition in this game. The Tornadoes had a great shape and structure that was hard to break down. Despite doing well and playing great football we were losing 1-2.
It was scrappy 2nd half for us but it took some great football in the last 10 mins for us to take the game to 4-2.
Great team spirit. Goals from Jack, Nath and Dan (2)

Well done boys! 👏🏼

04/03 home vs Moss Bank Whites

A welcome return to the league games at last! Sleepy warm up from the boys… sleepy start too out of possession but not enough to cause us trouble, it just didn’t allow our play to flow in our usual style.
2 nicely taken goals though from Noa and Nath with lovely build up play has us 2 nil up at half time.
2nd half was a much more balanced and consistent performance. Josh F and Jack added to the goal tally and it was a comfortable win in the end with an outstanding performance from Seb in goal, making really good decisions and some great saves.

Man of the match trophies went to Seb and Max 👏🏼

Well done jets. Great team performance from everyone 🔴⚫️🔴⚫️⚽️👏🏼

25/02 Away vs Woodbank (friendly)

Another half term friendly, this time trialling 11 a side.
Set us up in a 3-5-2 formation with wing backs. I was probably naive to the difference between 9’s and 11’s and how different it is.
We struggled in our shape and we didn’t do our simple things effectively. We are usually good out of possession, calm and effective with in possession. Woodbank had the run of play and took a quick lead at 2-0.
The second half we looked a different team and again I can’t fault their attitudes, commitment and application of what we talked about at half time. We controlled the second half and we got the game back to 2-2.
It wasn’t quite enough on the day and Woodbank got a goal in the dying minutes. 3-2 Woodbank.

Goals from Nath and Josh F.

Man of the match trophies went to Seth and Dan.

Well done lads. Loads of positives to take from the game again! 🔴⚫️🔴⚫️⚽️👏🏼

18/02 Home vs Adlington Boca’s (friendly)

Half term friendly vs a very good Adlington team from B division.
What a game it was with some brilliant football on display from both teams. The Jets had a brilliant team attitude despite losing 2 quick goals.
The lads attitude and determination to keep doing and trying the right things both in and out of possession was a pleasure to watch.
We managed to take the lead with only a few minutes remaining at 6-5, but Boca’s quality was hard to contain and they got their equaliser.

It finished 6-6 with goals from Gabe, Nath (3), Josh F and an OG.

Man of the match Nath and Noa.

Unbelievably proud of the boys again today!! 🔴⚫️🔴⚫️⚽️👏🏼

11/02 home vs HSM Cheetahs

Played in the away colours for the first time… we started slow… like a famous incident in 1996… maybe it was the shirt colours causing the issue?!

We conceded an early goal as a result and it took us a while to settle into the rhythm of the game. Once we did, we got the game back in our favour at 3-1.

The game was a hard fought one, with lots of tackles, saves and goal mouth scrambles! Cheetahs got a goal back with 5 mins left which made it an intense end to the game!

Lovely goals from Nath (2) and Josh F.
Man of match performances from Josh F and Seb! 👏🏼

Well done Jets! Great result and loads to take from the game too! 👏🏼🔴⚫️🔴⚫️⚽️

Big shout out to Josh C for designing the kit too! 👏🏼🔵⚪️
… and to GBR Solutions for the sponsorship 🙌🏼

04/02 cup match home vs Atherton Town

Atherton are a top team, top of division C, so it was important the boys had an early night Friday 🤣
I told who ever would listen to me this week that whatever happens today, we learn loads about ourselves as a team and it’s a win win situation. Playing a team so much higher than us in the leagues, we can surely only benefit from the experience.
I asked the lads to have no fear of mistakes, but to try their hardest and play our football we know we can.
We went 0-3 down including an own goal, despite playing fantastic football and competing equally in the game.
Our heads never dropped and the lads clearly could see what I could see and believed we still had a chance. This materialised in getting it back to 3-3 at half time!
The second half I only saw one team winning the game and it was us. They had to give it their all to keep us from scoring.
It wasn’t to be, they snatched 2 more goals ending the game 3-5.
What a game though, and what a performance from the Jets. I honestly couldn’t be prouder of them all today, and this just proves how far we’ve come.

Best of luck to Atherton, fantastic group of kids, great support and coaches.

Great goals from Josh F, Cal and Nath!
Man of match trophies went to Jack and Noa.

Well done boys!! 👏🏼🔴⚫️🔴⚫️⚽️

28/01 away vs Horwich RMI Steamers

I can safely say I’ve missed match day and I know the lads did way more than me!
It was a performance that definitely highlighted that we’ve not played for a few weeks. There was some brilliant football but the concentration was lacking at times. Completely understandable!
Nevertheless, there was some ruthless finishing and we got the result we needed.
2-7 with goals from Nath (3), Dan (2), Tobias and Noa.
Man of the match trophies went to Nath and Noa 👏🏼

Top work Jets! 👏🏼🔴⚫️🔴⚫️⚽️

03/12 cup match away vs Leigh United Ninjas

Leigh play in the league above us, so a tough test was anticipated. The boys weren’t phased in the slightest and played absolutely brilliantly. Strong, passed the ball well and took our chances when they came.
Another fantastic win for the Jets. 2-7 with goals from Tobias (2), Nath (2), Noa, Dan and Cal.

Awesome performance Jets! 👏🏼🔴⚫️🔴⚫️⚽️

26/11 cup match away vs Turton Tigers

The weather made this fixture hard to get, but thanks to the effort from the opposition’s coach we made it on a 3G pitch.
I have to say the boys patterns of play and possession in this game was the best I’ve seen from us.
Big thanks to Jack and Dan who took their turn in goal each half due to missing Seb, it was a very cold day to be stood still!
It was a convincing win at 0-6, with goals from Nath (2) Noa (3) and Dan. Their keeper was fantastic and stopped a lot of excellent efforts on goal!

Well done Jets 👏🏼🔴⚫️🔴⚫️⚽️

12/11 away vs HSM Cheetahs

A very slow start to the game and we struggled to keep the passing going… It was 2-2 at half time and wasn’t until late in the game before the team clicked and kept good possession, creating more chances.
2-4 was the end result and we finished the game well.
Goals from Nath (2), Gabe and Dan.

Well done boys! 👏🏼🔴⚫️🔴⚫️⚽️

15/10 home vs Horwich RMI Steamers

Started the game half lethargic and conceded a really early goal against the run of play. We’ve been here before and we just needed to be alive to the transition.
The goal woke us though and we kept the ball and won it back really well after that for the first half.
We continued to play well in the second half with only a couple of lapses in concentration.
Overall it was a solid performance all over the pitch and plenty of examples of our best football.

9-2 the score, with 5 goals from Nath, 2 from Gabe and 1 each from Noa and Cal.

Man of match performances from an outstanding Seth and Josh C today with great positional play and distribution of the ball from the back. 👏🏼

08/10 vs Ramsbottom Hustlers away (played at home due to away pitch conditions)

Tough conditions given the rain all week, which meant the ball was harder to move and control for us.
We still played some great football and controlled the first half really well.
2nd half was harder and the game became a lot scrappier, but we held strong and got a good result.
1-4 win. Goals from Gabe, Dan, Max and Josh F.

Man of the match performances from Josh F & Jack!

Well done boys! 👏🏼

01/10 home vs Blackrod AFC.

A fantastic performance by everyone. The first half performance good and brought some ruthless finishing.
The second half was much harder as Blackrod came into the game and made it harder for us on the ball, but our passing improved and it took an amazing performance from their keeper to keep them in the second half.

Can’t fault our attitude, effort and performance today. One of our best I’d say! Goals came from Nathan (2), Noa (2), Josh C (2), Dan, Gabe and an own goal. 9-0.

Man of the match performances from Noa and Nathan.

Well done everyone. Fantastic stuff today!! 👏🏼

24/09 away vs BISC Aces.

Our first game of the season which was a decent performance and showed real glimpses of our true potential. Especially early in the game. But we let BISC have too much time on the ball which gave them the chances to take the lead.
We kept our heads in the main and created more chances... but you’ve got to take them… their keeper had a blinder and I’d say was their man of the match.
The game ended 3-2, but the positives are there and we played well.
Both our goals came from Nathan, and man of the match trophies were for Josh C & Josh F, who had a strong debut performance!

Fancy having a go at designing our new away kit?

Click on the link and post your designs on here to be in with a chance!

Old Rivingtonians Sports Club

Last game of the season for the Jets. The CPL Cup Final vs Westhoughton Rangers.

Having not thought about much else all week, the day finally arrived; 2nd final in 2 years! That shows the journey we’ve been on with nearly everyone having been with us from the start, aged 5-6.

Warm up went well, and the lads seemed on form physically and mentally.

The game kicked off and as expected there was nothing to pick between the sides, it was tight with both teams having patches of possession and trying to create opportunities.

After 16mins Josh got on the end of a lovely through ball from Noa and put it into the top corner to put us into the lead.

Soon after we conceded a free kick on the edge of our box, which was blocked but the Rangers got onto the rebound and scored the equaliser at 20mins.

The second half was exactly the same in terms of performance and I thought we were growing into the game more and getting some control, but just like that an intercepted pass in the midfield gave them an opportunity to get a shot away, resulting in them taking the lead.

We had chances to equalise, I’m not sure how we didn’t - great saves and balls cleared from the line, but that’s football… we played brilliantly, put in a great performance and it didn’t go our way on the day. Taking absolutely nothing away from Rangers, they are class team and played great football too. Congratulations to Carl and the boys!

It was hard seeing the lads upset, but they did themselves proud and thoroughly deserved their place in the final.

We’ll pick ourselves up and go again next year! Well done Jets! Thanks for an amazing season!! 🔴⚫️🔴⚫️⚽️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Game 22. 07/05. Semi Final vs Ladybridge Leopards.

A nervous start to the game, with neither team really getting control... those nerves were settled with a lovely brace from Nath after 15mins.
Leopards still looked a threat and got one back at 21mins.
2-1 up at halftime, and we reiterated the importance of working hard when we lose possession.
The second half was very even, the leopards midfield did well breaking up our play.
It took a lovely bit of quick passing by the midfielders, and a delightful through ball by Max to Nath to break the second half deadlock. That seemed to open the game up and was end to end at moments.
The last few minutes was rounded nicely with a well worked goal from Noa.
Through to the COL Cup Final, 4-1 winners.

So proud of the team, a fantastic achievement!
Fantastic performance from James and Seth who take the man of the match awards! Well done!

Go jets!! 🔴⚫️🔴⚫️⚽️

Game 21. 30/04 vs BISC Aces.

The complete opposite this week! We started fantastically.
Early goals from Gabe(2) and Nath put us 3 up at half time, we looked really strong and didn’t look like conceding... but we did after half time and Cal got a lovely long range goal to make it 4-1 at that point.
That’s when fatigue set in, having no subs started to have an effect, and showed how hard we had to work to control the game first half. Aces got the control back and got 3 deserved goals in quick succession. Game on!… credit to the boys, they worked incredibly hard and left everything on the pitch. Nath got 2 late goals to take it to 6-4 at full time. Great game with both sets of players looking exhausted after a great battle.

Outstanding performances from Dan and Nath who got the man of the match awards.

Well done lads! 👏🏼🔴⚫️🔴⚫️⚽️