Another good day at the soccer centre for the improving Rockets, facing a Crewe Meerkats team in the first kickoff of the day. The Rockets were down to minimum numbers with Christian rested for the later Wizards game Katie assumed the striker role in the first period, Joel took the gloves, Joe was super-sweeper, Alex the heartbeat in the middle and Jake and Jack the flying wings. The first period started well with the Rockets kicking off and with their first attack opened the scoring, somehow the ball squirming loose to a grateful Jack to stab home from a yard. 1-0 Rockets. After the restart Betley began to use their passing and movement to great effect working the ball well in a flood of red shirts. Katie and Alex were combining and Jack and Jake offered outlets to run down the flanks. Joe was assured when called upon and showed his vision in releasing the Rockets to continue to press. It wasn't long coming, this time a ball out to Jake who thumped home Betley's second. 2-0 Rockets. By this point Joel in goal was not too busy apart from trying to keep warm, in front of him Joe, Alex, Jake, Jack and Katie were all playing well and limiting the Meerkats opportunities to play the ball. Another strong run from Alex and a pass to Katie opened the way for Jake to grab a third, the Meerkats could only look on. 3-0 Rockets. Joe was itching to move forward and get in on the action but he marshalled the rear just in case a long ball came his way, Katie was enjoying playing upfront in speedy new boots and Alex was strong in the tackle against robust Meerkats defending. Both Jack and Jake were enjoying their freedom down the wings and Jack pounced onto a through ball from Alex to slot his second and Rockets fourth. 4-0 Betley.
Into the second period and a switch around gave the gloves to Jack, Jake came into the back, Joe went on the wing with Katie on the other, Joel played in the middle and Alex went upfront. It wasn't long before the mighty Rockets resumed their dominance of the game, and tried to pass and move. This time good passing from Joel released Katie whose goal bound shot was turned in by Alex. 5-0 Rockets. The period continued in this vein, Joe showed good awareness and threaded nice passes to teammates whilst still getting back and tackling when needed, Katie was enjoying running with the ball, Alex was a constant threat and had a couple of strong runs stopped by good Meerkats defending, Joel showed his maturity, snubbing out danger and playing simple passes to feet. Jake joined in the play too seizing the opportunity for a run from the back and a fierce shot to the corner meant his third and Rockets 6th. 6-0.
Into the final period and Joe went in goal, Joel went on the wing, Katie went in the middle, Jake went super-sweeper, Alex on the wing and Jack upfront. Meerkats, to their credit, kept on trying their best but they couldn't stop the attacks from Betley. By now the passing had stopped a little as all the Rockets went searching for goals! Only to be expected but a couple of runs from Joel and Jake left Jack in the middle to skip round a defender and unleash a strong drive, 7-0 nil Rockets and a hat-trick for Jack. The Rockets kept going, Katie was strong in the tackle and kept her head up to pass the ball, Joel's wing play improved despite his slight reluctance to play there and he had a couple of chances. Alex was running strong and showing good ball skills to the end. Jack continued to be a thorn in the Meerkats paw and Jake, forgetting he was sweeper joined the attack whenever he could. The last throw of the dice was a short pass from Katie to Jake, on the wing! to smash in his fourth and Rockets eighth - simples!
Well done Rockets who were just too strong for Meerkats, good passing, moving and finding space set the game up for a high score but all contributed well and left the Rockets with smiles all round. Well done all, well played.
