With temperatures reaching -2C overnight, Sunday morning was cold and frosty. The pitch at Ellingham had held up well and although there was some frost on arrival, liberal sprinklings of hot water soon thawed it out and the game was able to go ahead.
This friendly match was intended as a gauge to see how Rocklands might compare against a team from a higher division - Fakenham currently sit second in the division above Rocklands having lost only one league game all season.
Rocklands lined up with a 4-3-3 formation with Lewis Fraser and Joseph Thompson hoping to provide the width for Marc Riley in the centre. They were supported by a midfield of Jo Gyde, Eliot Clarke and Ewan Ford, with the settled back 5 of Luke Hutchinson, Charlie Matthews, Jo Spoerry and Sam Parsons with Matthew Noonan in goal.
Fakenham started the first half brightly and held the ball well, probing at the Rocklands defence. Perhaps the cold weather played a part or maybe the slightly slippy surface, but Rocklands weren't able to take control of the midfield and relieve the pressure on their defence. Fakenham looked a solid and well organised defensive unit with their centre backs proving a physical presence that Rocklands never really managed to break through.
There were flashes of good play down the Rocklands left, with Joseph Thompson picking up where he left off last week. Eliot Clarke made one or two marauding runs from midfield and Jo Gyde was constantly chasing and harrying. Luke Hutchinson had dealt well with the threat down Fakenhams left wing and was able to release Lewis Fraser with some good one-two football. However, it was Fakenham who eventually broke the deadlock. A ball across the area from the Fakenham right wasn't properly cleared and the defence seemed unsighted in the bright Winter sun....Matthew Noonan managed to get a hand to the first shot, but couldn't prevent the rebound from being tucked home.
1-0 to Fakenham
The goal seemed to galvanise the Rocklands defense who went on to produce perhaps their most outstanding performance as a defensive unit so far this season. Charlie Matthews marshalled the line well and put in several essential challenges, whilst Joseph Spoerry always seemed calm and mopped up any loose balls. Both Sam Parsons and Luke Hutchinson battled well against skillful wingers and as a team prevented Fakenham from creating any clear chances with their possession. The few set pieces Fakenham had were dealt with superbly by Matthew Noonan. Rocklands hadn't managed to carve out any chances of their own though and finished at half time a goal down.
HT
The second half saw Rocklands putting more pressure on the Fakenham ball carrier. Perhaps Fakenham were waiting for Rocklands to tire, but it never happened. If anything, the team stepped up the energy levels and Joseph Gyde put several tough challenges in 50:50 situations. Rocklands were starting to battle their way back in to the game and made progress down the flanks. Once or twice it looked as though they might set Marc Riley free of the defensive line, but the final ball was lacking or the Fakenham defense too quick.
A chance came in the 42nd minute when an attempted through ball was handled by the Fakenham right back. Marc Riley swung the free kick into the 6 yard box from 25 yards and the Fakenham defense seemed to lose the ball in the sun. The ball skimmed off a defenders head into the net, although it was going in anyway.
1-1
Rob made some changes, with Eliot dropping back to partner Joe Spoerry in defense, with Ryan and Ben slotting into midfield and Callum at left back. Everybody seemed to know their positions and Rocklands began to turn the screw, looking for the winner. Fakenham continued to play some good football with their wingers running at the defense, but always being met by the impentrable wall of Eliot & Joe. One or two snap shots were dealt with comfortably by Matthew in goal.
Ben Daynes was a whisker away from a great goal when his volley from 25 yards dipped just over the bar and he went close minutes later from a free kick. Ben fired a shot in from 30 yards out, with Rocklands players coming in on the far post. Joe Spoerry got his knee to the ball, but unfortunately couldn't guide it in. As the game wore on, Fakenham seemed to tire more than Rocklands, but it ran out to 1-1
FT 1-1
An impressive performance against a team doing very well in the division above. The defense played as a unit and not as individuals, with some great passing play throughout the team. The challenge is to repeat this performance in the league!
