The mighty Rockets lined up against joint second in the league full of confidence and with three subs! Mya sportingly took the gloves in the first period and Joel and Alex shored the defence. Brendan lined up in the middle with Hayden and Joe and Jake took to the flanks. Josh, Jack and Tom warmed the bench. The game kicked off and the Rockets were soon on the attack, Jake and Joe enjoyed the space and Brendan and Hayden both had good possession and tested the Lions defence early on. Most of the play was with Betley but the Lions showed signs of breaking quickly and both Joel and Alex had to be mindful and alert. Mya was untested at first but soon a break from the Lions and a scramble in defence ended in a poked shot from CB and in squirmed an unlikely opener. 0-1 to the Lions. Undeterred the Rockets pressed on and Joe and Jake had some great runs down the flank. Brendan was enjoying teasing the defence and Hayden had a couple of shots miss by inches. It wasn't long though, a through pass from Joe released Jake to run on a slot home. 1-1 and well deserved. On pressed the Rockets and a couple more chances went astray. The Lions were defending fiercely, and had a good counter attack that kept Alex busy and Joel minding how far he ventured forward. Into the closing stages of the half and the Lions broke free, a mix up in defence and a lucky bounce off a Rocket and Betley found themselves behind again. 1-2 Lions. Not quite believing they were behind, never-the-less the Rockets kept going, Jack came on for Hayden and the Rockets pressed again. All the play was in the Lions half but the CB's stood their ground until and great run down the line from Joe and a precise cross was met with skill by Jake in the middle, 2-2 all square again. Into the second half and it was Joe's stint in goal. Mya came into defence and Alex on the wing. The Rockets picked up where they left off, with Jack and Brendan pushing the Lions back with some mazy runs and good interplay. Jake was still trying to add to his tally and Mya and Joel dealt with any forays forward. Alex was running hard both in attack and defence. A quick sub and Thomas come on for Jake. Another series of play this time saw Brendan hit a post, Jack miss narrowly and and a well worked corner gave Alex a chance which was well blocked. By this time the Rockets were sensing victory, however another breakaway, dealt with well by Joel and Mya gave a goal kick to Rockets. The distribution however bounced off two Betley players and a toe poke from a Lion left Joe with no chance and amazingly Rockets were behind 2-3. Again the Rockets pressed, Josh came onto the wing and Brendan was rested, Tom had a rest and Jake came back on. All the play again was down in the Lions end. Joel and Mya joined the attack and Joe had little to do in the final minutes. Brendan came back on and hit the post, Jack hit the bar, Jake hit a post, Alex had another shot blocked and all players rolled on and off to try and force the equalizer. It never came and the final whistle blew much to the delight of the Lions. To be fair they defended really well and took their chances. The Rockets were so unlucky and played some great football. Its a long season and all the Rockets should be proud. If we keep playing positive passing football we will be top by Christmas!! All played their part and all enjoyed the game. We were very unlucky, but I think we were the better team (but I would!). Put it behind us now and on to another victory this Sunday. Well done all, congratulations to the Lions, well played.
