The sky was overcast and spitting rain as the team began to arrive at Sheringham Recreation Ground for their first competitive game of the season. A strong wind swirling in from the sea it looked like being tough conditions. The pitch was immaculate and a fantastic playing surface - great job by Sheringham's groundsman!
Rob went with a well tested 4-4-1-1 formation with Charlie providing support to Marc and Joseph T and Louis on the wings. Rocklands were expecting a tough game from their East Coast Warrior opponents.
The rain thankfully held off, although the wind stayed for the entire match. From kick off, both teams battled for control of the midfield with few clear chances or incidents in the first five minutes.
After seven minutes, Matty Noonan had to be alive to a shot from some distance and although he parried it well, the ball ran free. Joseph T was on hand to clear the danger though. Shortly afterwards, Luke and Joseph S combined to clear a further Warriors attack. Warriors were playing some good football, but the Rocklands defence was holding firm. Both fullbacks making several effective clearances under pressure. Callum put in an impressive performance at left back with a series of headers and tackles and his pace frequently enabled him to cover his winger and clear for a throw in.
On 10 minutes, Marc broke clear of the last man following a ball by Ewan into the channels. He looked to be in on goal, but the defender clipped his heels before he could break free and Rocklands were awarded a free kick.
It was not one way traffic though and on twelve minutes Warriors had a shot from 20 yards which Matty saved comfortably. There followed a spell of some good football with Rocklands winning their defensive battles and feeding the ball forward with composure. Luke was a physical presence at the back and Joseph G was calm in his distribution. On 20 minutes, the Rocklands midfield again set Marc through on goal but the Warriors 'keeper was quick off his line to block. This was to be a theme throughout the game, with the fast pitch and the Warriors goalkeeper combining to make it difficult to capitalise on the through balls. A late challenge in the 22nd minute provided a free kick opportunity for Rocklands, with Louis hoisting the ball into the swirling winds towards the goal. It was met by Ewan's head but had more height than power and the Warriors keeper gathered under the bar. Shortly afterwards in the 25th minute, some immaculate control by Ewan in the centre of the park followed by a through ball created another chance for Marc. But again the 'keeper was rapidly off his line.
Rocklands were playing some great football across the entire team and Warriors battled hard to get back into the game. Joseph G put some crunching challenges into midfield to impose Rocklands control. On 29 minutes, Louis played a great through ball between the full back and the centre back setting Marc free. He was aware of the Warriors keeper rushing out and went for the lob...with the ball dipping just over.
Partnerships were emerging across the pitch with Joseph S and Joseph G covering for each other well and playing the ball out of defence to set Rocklands on the attack again. Eliot and Louis were working up and down the right hand side and Joseph T and Callum dovetailed perfectly down the left. The midfield looked fluid with someone always covering and Ewan breaking forwards. Charlie held the ball up well and played some great interchanges with Marc. Rocklands were looking comfortable, but just couldnt get the breakthrough.
On 32 minutes, Warriors got forward down the right hand side and for the first time managed to get past the Rocklands defence. They swung a ball into the box and Matty Noonan claimed under pressure from several players. Shortly afterwards, Rocklands won a corner which Joseph S fired in to the near post, but it was cleared. Suddenly, on 34 minutes, Warriors broke free and looked to have a great chance before Luke put in a great tackle and cleared the ball to safety.
Just before half time, Warriors had a goal kick. With a strong wind towards them, their 'keeper struggled to get distance on the kick and it fell to Marc Riley. He bore down on goal, but scuffed his shot slightly only to see it beat the keeper and roll into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.
1-0 to Rocklands!
Almost as soon as Warriors had kicked off, the whistle went for half time. In the second half, Rocklands were playing into the wind, which had got stronger as the gamne progressed. The team continued to battle for the ball and Joseph Spoerry conceded a free kick on the edge of the area. However, Matty Noonan was able to save the resultant shot. Warriors kept up the pressure, winning a corner which was well cleared by Joseph Spoerry who won several aerial challenges throughout the match. Three substitutions early in the second half provided some fresh legs. Although Warriors soon fired a shot low and only just wide of the goal after 39 minutes. Ryan putting in an industrious performance since coming on as a substitute and conceded a free kic on the edge of the area. Warriors crossed into the area and the ball was headed wide. This was a warning of more pressure to come. In the 44th minute, Warriors won a corner on the left. The ball was crossed deep towards the far post and met by a diving header. It seemed like a certain goal, until Matty Noonan somehow managed to block from point blank range. The ball eventually cleared up and over the crossbar. Rocklands were living dangerously.
Eliot Clarke was working hard down the right hand side with a mixture of stamina and controlled aggression. He overlapped Ryan on the wing and played a sumptuous through ball which was latched onto by Marc Riley. Marc didn't wait for the 'keeper to come out and drilled a shot low and hard, but the Warriors goalie saved well. This was the start of a spell of Rocklands pressure with the midfield dominating and carving out chances for Ryan and Charlie, but the keeper was able to smother them. Then, on 54 minutes, Warriors won a free kick on the left hand edge of the Rocklands area following a counter attack. They crossed to the far side and a shot beat the defence, only to rebound from the right hand post.
Some good football by Rocklands without creating chances for the next 10 minutes, then on 66 minutes, Ewan Ford picked the ball up just outside the Warriors area. He beat the first player, then burst past another two players and flicked a shot goalwards only to see it bounce agonizingly wide.
Warriors were proving a threat on the break and Matty had to be quick off his line to claim a 1 on 1, only to be clattered by the advancing striker. A couple of minutes later, he had to dive low to save another shot from the edge of the area.
The end to end football continued. On 69 minutes, Ewan went around the keeper only to see his shot blocked. On 70 minutes, Charlie and Marc played a great 1-2 but just couldn't get the shot away and were closed down.
With time running out, it was nearly disaster for Rocklands. Hesitation at the back between defence and goalkeeper let a Warriors forward in. He lobbed Matty, but the ball bounced off the bar and over. Into added time and Hayden made a great last ditch challenge to block the ball inside the Rocklands penalty area. All the hard work was nearly undone when Warriors broke free in the dying seconds. Matty shot off his line and made a diving save at the strikers feet to close the game out.
An excellent team performance against a very good Warriors side. Rocklands could have scored more given the chances, but Warriors were also unlucky to have hit the woodwork a couple of times. Rob commented to the team afterwards that 'desire' had been a key factor in the win and that he was very pleased with the performance.
