A big game away awaited the Rockets at high flying Wistaston and despite questionable league officiating and a late change to the KO, Betley arrived with a full team raring to go.
A good grass pitch was greeted with enthusiasm as our passing style of play could come to the fore. Jake decided late not to don the gloves so Dan manfully volunteered to go in with Cameron asking for the second period between the posts.
We kicked off with Dan in goal, Alex, Sam and Cameron across the back; Joe, Jack and Rohan in the middle and Brendan and Tom in advanced roles. Joel and Jake waited on the side. The team started well and were soon into their rhythm passing the ball around well and creating space and time to express themselves. Wistaston were soon on the back foot and would remain that way for large periods of the half.
The rockets were now in full flow and playing some really great football, the attacks were coming from across the pitch with Tom and Brendan a real nuisance, Joe, Jack and Rohan a real menace and Cam and Alex joining in when long balls out of their defence were controlled and pushed back in attack. Sam mopped up anything that came forward and ventured into advanced positions with good effect for corners and free kicks.
The half progressed and the Rockets were unlucky not to be at least two or three ahead, when out of the blue a very rare attack and a lot of luck - Dan was left stranded with an unstoppable shot 0-1 to Wistaston - Betley were stunned!!
The game restarted and again Betley were in the ascendancy, waves of attacks, shots came in, the keeper made saves, posts were shaved but still no luck - then again out of nothing the opponents broke forward, a scramble in the middle and a poked shot 0-2 -unbelievable!!
Still the Rockets kept the pace up, they were fluent and determined - a real master class, but the whistle went and the half-finished. A team talk in the interval and the boys were told to change nothing - keep playing but make better decisions in the final third and look at good low shots against a capable but tall keeper!
Cameron went in goal and Joel came on. The rockets picked up where they left off and again some flowing football and creativity - we were completely out playing them! The Wistaston boys were beginning to get a bit niggly and some tackles came flying in but still we passed and moved. A great passage of play saw Alex, Joe and Tom combine to put Rohan in position - shot and goal 1-2 - we were back in it.
The second half went on, time ticking down, Jack was running everywhere threading some great balls through, Tom was mesmerising the defence and Rohan was flying up and down the wing with two great efforts on goal. Alex was surging forward, and resolute in defence, Sam was stopping anything coming through and feeding the mid-field with aplomb. Brendan was a real threat and when called on Cameron was solid and authoritative. Joe was unstoppable down the line and Joel was playing well and passing/defending with authority - until he decided he needed a breather and subbed himself for Jake!!
The pressure was building and the management thought it was just not going to be! Dan was geared to come on at a lull in the game - but a lull wasn't coming - still the Rockets pressed, the chances were flying in and Wistaston were defending deep. Another corner and the ball was saved again - off the line. More pressure and Sam stayed up front. A little one-two and Sam was there to smash in the equaliser - 2-2 Rockets level!!
More pressure came and the Rockets smelled a well-deserved victory - Dan was still ready to pounce into the action and Joel had recovered and he wanted to be part of it - but a nod to the Ref and he said there was no time left. The final whistle blew to a great game and great performance from the Rockets - we should have won but a draw was the least we would have taken.
Well done everyone - especially those who took the gloves and went in goal. A final warning to all players, the coaches will want you to play in several positions for your own development and the good of the team - a refusal to play will result in suspension from matches.
That said, the team were terrific, one and all! We played some great stuff and were complemented by the scout watching the game on our style and technique - all good. We need to make better decisions when we are in the opposition third - head up - look for options to score. Were the better team by far - keep it up! Pass, move, tenacity in winning possession back and good decision making and we will beat everyone!! Well done all, great display!!
