A beleaguered squad turned out against a Diamonds team already dispatched twice with ease. The Rockets were confident of another victory but had no subs to play with as a few were missing for the fixture.
Kristian was in goal, Jake, Sam and Joel across the back with instructions to push up when possible to overload the attack. Jack, Joe and Rohan were across the middle and Brendan and Hayden were upfront.
The Rockets kicked off, then immediately switched off!! A lackluster display and lethargic approach gave the impression of an end of season game! The coaches, the sidelines and the Betley support all shouted their support and encouraged the players to liven up and begin to play like the Rockets can.
The Diamonds were sensing it maybe their day and soon the Rockets had to work a little harder than they thought as the opposition started to take advantage.
Still the Rockets spluttered but the encouragement was starting to register and there were signs that ignition was getting close!!
The half finished 0-0, none of the Betley crew thought that possible – so a team talk urging the pass and move and taking control of the game was drilled into the players and they were sent out to re-establish their quality on the game.
The second half was a different spectacle, passing, moving and working for each other was the order of play and all the team were contributing. Brendan was starting to control the middle with Jack; Rohan and Joe were teasing their defence and producing some great runs. Sam, Joel and Jake were controlling any attack and starting to push up and join in the moves with authority and control; Hayden was really enjoying the freedom upfront and a couple of chances nearly opened the score.
It wasn’t long before normal service was restored, Brendan opened the scoring with a tenacious run and shot, 1-0 Rockets – here we go!
Soon it was 2-0, a header from Hayden – yes Hayden-header!!, and what next - yes another Hayden header 3-0, great stuff from the team with good crosses from the wings. Now the players were staring to move the ball really well. Jake and Joel were pushing up threading the ball through to the front, Sam was all over the park – getting up for corners and breaking forward. Joe and Rohan were starting to dance round the defence and cause real problems and Jack and Brendan were bossing the middle and creating chance after chance. Hayden buoyed (or dizzy!) with the goals created more chances and was unlucky not to get a hat trick.
Joe was next on the act a good shot and 4-0, quickly followed by a fortuitous second for Joe and 5-0 Rockets – the Betley swagger had returned!
The Diamonds hadn’t given up and Kristian who was much quieter in the second half expertly tipped a stinging free kick round the post. The resulting corner was somehow scrambled in and the blades had a consolation goal. 5-1 Rockets.
The boys weren’t finished just yet and the ever hard working Brendan was soon in on the act to slot his first and Rockets sixth, 6-1 Rockets and a quick change around and pushed Jake onto the wing and it wasn’t long before he threaded a pass for Brendan to slot home number 7, 7-1 Rockets – a more likely score line!
The final whistle blew and the Rockets finished the year on a high with a second half performance more like how we have played in the first half of the season. We need to keep up the work ethic and play our game even if we think the opposition won’t be a match.
We are still in the cup, we have a game in hand which when we win it, we will be top of the league were we can stay if we play as we know we can.
Well done everyone – some great football so far this season lets continue that in 2014 so we don’t undo the hard work to date.
Have a great Christmas and a Happy Footballing New Year! Well done all!
