https://www.arjfc.co.uk/teams/under-7s-lightning

Atherstone Rangers Lightning, Atherstone (2026)

01/09/2026

The Lightning had a friendly on Sunday morning, with Brinklow making the sizeable journey over to Estadio RMD.

After the drowning of Saturday, we were met with beautiful sunshine. Jim arrived early, and broke into the container, and the pitch was ready before you knew it.

The game itself was hectic, to say the least. The early exchanges saw Brinklow take the lead before a Klay shot fell into the path of Denzel after the keeper spilled it to equalise. A change in team, saw goals flowing at both end. Charlie converted a penalty expertly, earned after he was brought down and the referee this week brought a whistle. And soon after Charlie turned provider, as Callum scooped an effort up and over the keeper with the ultimate lob.

Down at half time, but then the world's most lethal partnership was discovered. One of the great things of the Lightning lads' game on Sunday was the shape and the desire to pass the ball. From Angus and Ezra distributing in defence, Jaxon and Charlie down the right, Klay and Oscar down the left, the passing really was excellent. Jaxon looks one hell of a player going forwards, but our new Colin Hendry at the back, Angus, turned into prime Gullit at the back. Three times he played exceptional passes to Denzel, and three times, Denzel continued the movement, working great opportunities to score each time. The third of these goals, and the forth of the match for him, was just an incredible jinking run. Fresh off a 'quite good' holiday, Denzel was on fire. Soon after, Denzel became the first Lightning player to ever score 5 in one game (Frankie has scored 4 on six different occasions), finishing off again after a wonderful pass from Jaxon - his first Lightning assist.

Brinklow bounced back with some spectacular goals of their own, despite the heroics of Farren in goal, tipping one shot in particular off the peak of the cap he borrowed off new manager Jim, onto the post.

A great morning, with 15 goals, a game played in great spirits, and superb progress from the newbies to the squad.

This weekend, the season begins proper!

30/08/2026

The Lightning were mascots yesterday at Atherstone Town Cfc in their 4-0 win over FC Stratford. It may have been damp, but the lads had an amazing time. Thanks, Adders!

26/08/2026

NEW MANAGER ALERT

Mutiny amongst the camp, as Jim, 2nd place in parents hair of the year last season to Grace, has announced himself as the new manager.

With Ben disappearing in to the Bedworth sunset, JD has taken the reins, and started his career with a splendid refereeing performance on Sunday.

What a man, and cannot wait to work with the Baggie this season and beyond.

26/08/2026

Lightning 2.0.

The first friendly of the new season saw us face off against Nuneaton Borough. Three debuts for Jaxon, Angus and Dom were the main headlines as we have been busy in the transfer market over the summer break.

Returning home to Lightning this season is Klay, who opened the scoring with a wonderful finish from a tight angle, latching onto Frankie's deflected shot. Our second goal came from a precise Frankie finish, edging ever nearer to 100 Lightning goals. The assist from Dom was majestic, who made a great debut!

Ezra and Angus played the defensive role. Ezra was awesome, and deservedly received my player of the match for his combativeness, reading of the game, and some great passes too. Angus was like a highland terrier, yapping at the feet of all attackers in his vicinity. It took him 30s to leave his mark. His words, 'sorry', seemed genuine, but his eyes painted a different story. Klay and Frankie have the two best left feet in world football right now.

It was great to have Charlie back, laying early claims to drag back of the year, and Jaxon had a great first game. He looked excellent on the ball, and his passing was off the charts.

A special shout out though, to Farren. Showing real leadership to take on the goal keeping role, he was simply magnificent, and the void I feared we would have is not there. To quote Frankie, "he is sick in goal". He kept a clean sheet for 30 minutes, with some big saves.

Parents player went to Klay; his first half especially was awesome.

Next up, a friendly v Brinklow on Sunday

08/06/2026

The Lightning headed to Brinklow for their summer 5aside tournament to end half term. Without Farren, Frankie and Duke, Klay came in to boost numbers.

With a squad short on numbers, we brought a group of boys full of heart and effort. In game one we dominated, hitting the woodwork twice, including with the last kick of the game from Klay, but a sucker punch of a goal led to a narrow defeat to Hillmorton. Callum and Ezra deserve particular praise with how they defended.

In game 2, we faced the hosts, and again, played really well. Wave of attacks from the Lightning, with great work by Oscar especially, kept us in the ascendency. An unlucky break, and Brinlow scored. Immediately, Lightning responded. A wonderful klay cross to Denzel, and he buried another goal to equalise.

Cov Sphinx were up next, and they were a great side. Again Lightning battled, and Baxter especially kept us in the game for a long time. A mixup led to the Sphinx getting a deserved goal, and from then on we threatened but couldn't find the target. The passing from Charlie in this game was unreal.

The final game saw us take on the other Hillmorton team in our group, and how we didn't win, I don't know. It finished 1-1, a Klay cross-field ball fed Charlie for a first time finish.

A great day, some superb performances from all of the boys there. Lots of ice cream consumed.

Player of the tournament went to Oscar - great heart, great discipline in his football and positioning, and generally was a great driving force for the team. Special shout out to Denzel who played really well in goal in the final game. See some pics, too!

28/05/2026

A great display from the Lightning yesterday. A good 4 hours of energy, lit up the area good and proper. Atmosphere was full of electricity.

02/05/2026

The Lightning sacked off training this week for a friendly with our club mates the Strikers. RMD was glorious in the evening sun, showcasing the best my bleached mullet had to offer.

It was a record crowd too, with at one count 78 people watching the game, which is bigger than most Man City home crowds.

The game itself, as has always been the case, was a really tight affair. We played 4x15 minute quarters to give everyone lots of playing time, and served up a goal fest.

Strikers won the first quarter, and without Baxter's reflexes and Callum's resolute defending, it could have been many more.

The second quarter saw Lightning step it up. A great opening goal, with passes from Farren and Charlie, and then Denzel setting up Frankie to fire in. Soon after the exceptional referee awarded Frankie a penalty which he expertly dispatched. This, only after the disappointing referee awarded the Strikers a pen for a Frankie handball, though Baxter showed off his heroics again. Frankie secured a first half hat-trick, running on from an exceptional Baxter goal kick, past one defender and drilling it into the bottom corner.

Controversy followed after the referee tried to disallow a wonderful Strikers goal from Ben, claiming there was an offside. Ben's disappointed reaction to this made up decision led to a red card, another ill-timed joke. But hey-ho, sorry Ben. It was an amazing finish!

Half-time came, and we were able to give Alfie his footballing debut; a trainer for the last couple of months, he settled into the game well. Ezra made himself busy, winning the ball back repeatedly, and Callum played exceptionally well in defence. Duke started to boss the game down the right, as he has seemed to have done for the last 3 months.

After an equaliser, the goal or the match / season happened. Ezra with not one, not two, but three tackles, a lay off to Alfie, who rolled it back to his school mate Oscar, who unleashed a 45 yarder (maybe 20) that arrowed into the top corner. Absolutely incredible goal!

Frankie added another great finish from a super Charlie assist, before the lesser spotted Baxter, replaced in goal by Duke who was equally inspired with some super saves, playing in midfield now, set up Denzel for a deserved goal.

Frankie reached 100 goal contributions for the Lightning (82 goals, 18 assists) in this game, with Baxter making his 50th appearance in goal. Oscar marked his 50th match with a goal, and Denzel with a goal and assist reached 70 goal contributions (57 goals, 13 assists).

What a bunch of lads.

SPOTM went to Frankie, 4 goals, general combativeness and all round strong play.

MPOTM went to Callum, who read the game really well and made a number of excellent interceptions.

Next weekend, the Lightning visit Coton Green for their tournament, and play CHESS at home in a NBMFL fixture.

16/04/2026

In our new feature, in an attempt to reach out to our global audience, there will be an in-game interview for expert analysis from the players themselves.

Denzel was first up.

16/04/2026

On Sunday, the Lightning returned to the scene of our first ever league game, at the Windmill, to face Nuneaton Borough Blues.

Times have changed in those 19 months. The pitch is looking great now, there wasn't a monsoon, we no longer have Freddie. We did, like on that first day, lose Farren to a pre-game injury. A ball to the face in the warm-up nearly knocked his mullet off. Not even a Lindt chocolate bunny could console him.

The boys were without Frankie, living it up in Skeggy for the weekend, so we had to work hard as a team. Our plans were further complicated with Callum breaking his ankle. It was self-diagnosed to be fair, but whose to argue with the fella. This reduced his minutes of availability for us too.

The game itself was a great one - two evenly matched teams enjoying the morning sunshine. Lightning opened up the scoring early on. Charlie, becoming more influential as the weeks go on, with some great skills and shot which was saved well by the impressive Boro keeper, but Denzel arrived for his 28th goal of an impressive season which included a broken foot which kept him out for a week! Some time later, there was an equaliser, but I didn't see it. I was looking for chocolate - so if I didn't see it, did it really count? Baxter went close with an extraordinary goal kick. Our number 1 played superbly all game, handling the ball really well on a tricky pitch.

With the loss of Callum to a now dislocated ankle, as he climbed up the rocky bank to throw stones with Ezra, the Lightning set about trying to keep their 8 game unbeaten run going in the league.

Farren had a big role to play in the 2nd half as our only recognised defender. His mullet gleaming in the spring light. Charlie's was also looking classy. Denzel, I feel needs to bring more game if he wants to defend his best hair title..... unless the mullet gang do something ridiculous and shave it all off subsequently *cough* Charlie *cough*

Oscar, playing on the left in the first half, had a stint up front in the 2nd. Duke, ever the powerhouse broke through a powered a wonderful shot towards goal. Pretty sure the keeper would have had no chance. But Oscar did his duty, blocked the shot, realised he was on Duke's side, turned and buried his second goal. A really super finish, and another assist registered for Duke. He is the only Lightning player with 20+ assists so far in his career (currently on 21), and has been quite superb in the last 2 months especially. Ezra got the bit between his teeth in the last 10 minutes of the game, with a great press to hustle their defence, and his effort led to a misplaced pass which Denzel seized upon to get goal 29 for the season and 56 overall for the Lightning.

There was some excellent passing from the lads, some brave defending, and overall, great shape and teamwork. A wonderful result and performance.

As Ezra won SPOTM in our last game, and I didn't want to choose two players for awards, Ezra nominated Duke for SPOTM. Which was an excellent choice.

MPOTM, chosen by Ben, who I must say whose hair was shinier than Ryan's typically is, opted for Oscar. Described as his best ever performance - a goal, some great defending, and his now trademark bullet passing. Super work!

Atherstone Rangers Lightning

01/09/2026

30/08/2026

26/08/2026

26/08/2026

08/06/2026

28/05/2026

02/05/2026

16/04/2026

16/04/2026

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