The battle of the Rockets started brightly with Tom and Jack arriving from the middle of a rugby match just in time to take to the field. Joel went in goal, Jake and Tom shored up the back, Joe, Jack and Alex across the middle and Hayden upfront with Mya rested for the early exchanges. Betley were soon into their rhythm with Jack and Alex enjoying lots of possession and Joe providing great passing and movement in support. Hayden was enjoying the play and soon the pressure was on Ruskin who were defending deeper and deeper to counter continuous Betley pressure. Tom and Jake joined in attacks when they could mindful of the quick ball out to the lone attacker. Joel was relatively unused for the opening skirmishes. Betley continued to pass and run with the ball when they got the chance. Alex and Joe were playing really well and both Jack and Hayden had early chances to open the score. Tom was supporting well and Jake was minding the shop. A great ball in from Joe released Hayden down the middle and with only the keeper to beat, outside of the right foot and it found the corner 1-0 Beltey. The kick off was taken and Jack was quick into the tackle and the Betley passing game restarted, with some great defending from Ruskin keeping the score down. A quick break upfront from Ruskin and Jake chasing back had their player one on one with Joel who stood his ground well and was unlucky to be beaten by a low shot. 1-1 and the game was even. Never to be downbeat the Betley machine restarted and the passing of Joe, Alex, Jack, Hayden and great support from Tom and Jake had all the play back in the Ruskin half, a series of corners swung in by Tom had some heroic defending and saves from Ruskin. The pressure was building and a quick corner to Jack on the edge of the box who unleashed a powerful drive that found the top of the goal. 2-1 Beltey. Again Ruskin kept going and again and lapse in concentration had two or three Ruskin forwards raiding the Betley space but great work by Tom and Jake kept the score the same. Ruskin were starting to enjoy more possession now, so Mya came on to replace Tom in defence to give fresh legs to the rear. The half ended 2-1 with Betley enjoying the bulk of the play. Into the second half and Jack went in goal and Joel came into defence with Mya. Tom stayed on the bench for the early part and Jake went into the middle. Betley restarted and were quickly into their passing stride. Alex was still enjoying the wing always looking to break forward, Hayden was constantly involved in attacks, Joe threatened and tracked back when needed, Jake was working hard in the middle and had some long range efforts on goal, Joel and Mya combined really well at the back and snubbed out any attacks from Ruskin. The guys were enjoying most of the play but Ruskin were still trying really hard and a break down the flanks caught Betley out and a scrambled shot was unluckily tapped in from close range for an equaliser. 2-2 now. Into the final stages of the game and Betley continued to have the majority of the possession, Alex took a rest and Tom came back in. Joel was venturing forward and Jake and Joe were testing the defence all the time. Mya was assured at the back and released the ball well when needed. Hayden was still a threat and a mazy run down the wing saw a low shot arrow into the far corner for a deserved goal. 3-2 to Betley. Betley saw the game out still trying hard to score but defending well. Ruskin kept going and overall it was a very good game well played by both sides. Betley are realising the big pitch has opportunities to go forward and space to work with the ball, but there is a lot of ground to make up in defending as well. Overall everyone played very well and all enjoyed the game. Well done all.
