With the sun finally shining and the gales subsided, the pitch was in pretty good condition considering the recent weather. Without a league game this weekend, Rocklands welcomed Heigham Park. Heigham Park currently sit third in the Norfolk & Suffolk league, so today would be a good test.
The first half started with Rocklands kicking into the wind, but both teams were moving the ball well and playing some good football. Heigham Park showed some glimpes of individual magic in midfield, but struggled to turn these into real chances. Rocklands set a good tempo in the middle of the park with Louis Fraser regularly at the centre of things. Alongside Louis, Joseph Thompson was working hard to close down the opposistion and was fortunate to escape a card for a particularly late challenge midway through the half. Rocklands threatened on a couple of occasions, but too often overran things or simply didn't manage to deliver the right ball at the right time - it was at times like watching Arsenal...loads of possession, but precious few chances!
The second half saw Rocklands with the wind at their backs and they seemed to make the most of this. A couple of times, Anthony and Mark managed to get ahead of the last man, but just couldn't find the net or opted to shoot when perhaps the pass was the better option. But Rocklands were clearly on top and it felt like a matter of time. The defence today was superb. Both full backs covered inside when needed and Charlie marshalled the line well. Jo Spoerry was always there to sweep behind if the ball got through. It really does look like we are a challenge to break down. Matty Noonan had very little to do in the way of saves.
Ryan Clarke came on up front, with Ewan dropping into midfield and they combined with some good 1-2 football on the edge of the box, but Ryan couldn't quite get his finish away. Eventually a Rocklands ball over the Heigham defence saw Anthony chasing down the ball with a Heigham defender. He used his strength to outmuscle the defender and went around the 'keeper. It looked as though he might have been pushed too wide, but he calmly finished from a tight angle.
Shortly after this, Rocklands won a free-kick on the left-hand side just outside the penalty area. Louis Fraser stepped up and floated a great ball into the far post, where Ewan outjumped the defender to nod it back across goal into the net.
Heigham Park didn't give up and a period of pressure in the dying minutes saw their player rifle a shot into the bottom right hand corner of Rocklands goal. Nothing Matty could do about that. Marc had a chance to make it three just before the end after some good interplay with Anthony, but was deemed to have controlled the ball with his hand. 2-1 final score.
A good all-round team performance. Any of the defence could have got man of the match today, but Louis Fraser gets the vote for a hard-working performance and helping set the tempo in the first half. His set piece delivery was also exceptional.
Keep up the performances lads - well done!
