A glorious sunny start at Great Ellingham for the final league game of the season. Rocklands looking to avenge their away defeat from the last time they played Horsford.
The game started with Rocklands playing some good football and looking to spread the ball wide. Joe Thompson and Louis Fraser providing threat down both flanks. They quickly established a good passing rhythm with quick, short passes between Eliot, Joe Gyde and Marc. This passing built through a period of possession into a great team move. The ball was chipped into Ewan on the edge of the area, his flicked header out to Louis who pulled it back to Marc on the edge of the area who drilled the ball to the 'keepers right for an early lead.
Horsford took this as a sign to step up their game and began competing hard for every ball. Their right back was proving a threat with his long throws and several times the Rocklands players were beaten by the bounce on the hardening pitch. Rocklands though were offering their own threat with Ewan constantly on the shoulder of the last man and looking to get in behind.
The Rocklands defence looked steady and Sam Parsons was able to build several moves by playing the ball out from the back. However, eventually Horsford pulled level. The broke free from a melee to a player on the edge of the area. He shot hard towards goal and the ball bounced just in front of Matt Noonan and kicked up suddenly. He got a hand to the ball, but couldn't keep it out.
The rest of the first half continued at a frantic pace with both teams closing down in midfield. Eliot and Joe G both putting in hard work to keep Rocklands in the game. Both wingers had to do some defensive work and Louis and Joe Thompson were at times playing almost as wing backs, but getting forwards when Rocklands broke. Ewan raced clear of the defence and nudged the ball past the onrushing keeper but the Horsford right back was able to get back and cover.
After the break, with the sun getting even warmer for a change, Rocklands made a couple of changes. Everyone had played very well in the first half, but there were some tired legs given all the running the team had put in.
The early play continued at pace with both teams playing some good football. However, it was Rocklands who broke the deadlock. Horsford had committed players forwards for a corner and when it was cleared, Marc controlled the ball and chipped a perfect pass over the defence for Ewan to run onto just inside the Horsford half. As he bore down on goal, the Horsford keeper was very quick off his line as in the first half, but Ewan went around him and slotted in from a tight angle.
Horsford always looked in the game, although their threat was mostly aerial bombardment. Both Charlie and Joe Spoerry handled the pressure well and won some critical headers. Rocklands threatened to extend their lead with Marc pickung up a square pass on the edge of the area and crashing a shot off the bar. But soon something similar happened at the other end with Horsford skimming a shot off the bar from distance. Matty Noonan also made a good save from close range to keep Rocklands in front.
Rocklands looked to have scored their third when Louis hit a curling free kick into crowded area, but the Horsford keeper pulled off an outstanding save pushing the ball around the post for a corner.
Despite all this pressure, it was Horsford who scored next. Their striker turning sharply in the area and showing some good ball control, was tripped by Charlie Matthews and the referee awarded a penalty. The kick was taken with confidence and Matty had no chance.
Rather than collapse as might have been the case earlier in the season, Rocklands showed determination to get back in front. Ryan Clarke battled constantly and Louis Fraser upped his work rate to give Horsford no time on the ball. As the game wore on, Horsford looked to tire and Rocklands were getting stronger.
Joe Thompson was a constant theat down the left and played the ball into Marc who was sandwiched between two players for a free kick five yards outside of the area. Joe Spoerry came up from defence to take the freekick and hit a low shot. It clipped the edge of the Horsford wall before finding it's way into the bottom left hand corner of the goal.
This third goal seemed to take everything out of Horsford. Rocklands were now stroking the ball around midfield. Michael Godden looked solid at the back alongside Charlie and Joe. Ewan provided a target for the team and held the ball up well with Louis, Joe T and Marc constantly breaking beyond and being found by flicks and through balls.
There were a couple more opportunities when Rocklands got behind the Horsford defence but the game finished 3-2.
In summary, an outstanding team performance with everyone playing their part. The defence looked solid, the midfield worked their sock off and the forwards provided constant goal threat. A great finish to a good season - looking forward to next year with anticipation.
