Awesome, immense, amazing are three words that could go a long way to describing Real Rosehill's first pre-season friendly in anticipation of the new season.
Rosehill fielding six debutants Damon Harmon, Luke Poulton, Brad Pellett, Richard Jaiherm, Andy Thompson and Dave Woolgar started very brightly and could have been ahead in the first minute.
The way that Rosehill went at it from the start showed that the lads were really up for their first competitive game and went about the task with some slick one touch pass and run play with all players linking up well including the new ones.
Shoreham were a mix of Shoreham County Reserves and their 3rd team and were a good side but were made to look pretty average by a highly motivated and well balanced Rosehill side.
Charlie Walker on his return to the Rosehill side following a badly broken knee looked like he was coming back to his best, although still not fit, he scored a hat trick in the first twenty minutes.
At the break Rosehill went in 4-0 up and the management of Tony and Gary were well pleased by the first half performance.
Rosehill knew they could step up a gear and they did with a classy second half performance of clinical pasding and finishing. Rosehill conceded goals last season due to defensive awareness and errors but today they kept out the Shoreham side who never had a chance to score. Adam looks back to his best in goal and was very dominant and commanding.
Playing a new system of 4-2-3-1 the Rosehill side were first to every ball and closed Shoreham down at every opportunity and this enabled Rosehill to counter attack time after time.
THe defence linked up well with Luke and Richard just in front who in turn linked up with Shrubby, Damon and Stonham.
All the goals were class including 5 from Charlie, 2 from Stonham, 1 from Damon, a bullet header from Max and a header from our captain Mark Newman.
Rosehill were a lot more physical than usual and the formation and awareness of the players meant that every time Shoreham went forward the attack was broken down for Rosehill to go onto the counter atttack
A really encouraging start to the new campaign with not a bad performance from anyone and some great one touch passing football.
Well done to the debutants as it is so difficult walking into a team and getting it right first time.
The only downside was that Charlie Tomsett sustained an ankle injury following a bad challenge from one of the opposition so hope he comes back very soon.
It is looking really good for the new season and onto a five a side tournament and then a six aside tournament with our next competitive eleven a side on 15th August at Shoreham if not a mid week friendly before.
Well done lads a great first class performance.
Cheers
Tony and Gaz
