Firstly apologies for the delay in the match report, work is a bind. On the final game of the season would Rocklands end the season with a flourish of style and goals much like Liverpool or end the season ala Chelsea? Sorry Eliot I couldn't resist.
Rocklands were at home to Sprowston who we beat 1-0 away with a Joe S strike. Sprowston lined up in orange tops and the only team we play with female team mates and these young ladies are very good strong footballers, composed on the ball and strong in the tackle. Following the morning refreshments from Amanda's cafe we made our way out to cheer the lads on in the last game of the season. Pete took his place in the middle with Kevin running the line for Rocklands. Bruce was particularly happy as the bet he has may be coming his way, drinks on Bruce then?
Rocklands began absorbing the early pressure from Sprowston with Matty in goal behind the dependable centre back pairing of Charlie and Joe T with Luke and Sam outside of them. Joe G and Ewan centre mid and Eliot and Callum on the wings. Ryan and Marc upfront. Rocklands countered the Sprowston attack with Marc going wide and delivering the ball into Ryan for an early shot on goal which just went wide. Good play by Ryan to move into the area. Joe G was going forward more with the ball and combining well with Marc. One particular move was splendid with Joe G going forward and finding Eliot out wide who crossed it sweetly for Ryan to be in the right spot to fire a shot goalward but was denied by the post.
Callum was on form on the left again running at his opposite number with the ball at his feet and beating his man which was providing some excellent build up play and combining with Marc very well. With Eliot and Callum or Joe S running forward with the ball out wide they are a threat with such strong runs and delivery into the area. Marc had a free kick outside of the area but struck it so well the Sprowston keeper had to make an excellent save to stop Marc from getting onto the score sheet. The Rocklands defence had little to do with Matt distributing the ball well from either the throw or the boot. Sam and Luke were helping out and working well with Callum and Eliot while the calm Joe T and Charlie marshalling the troops well.
With Eliot running the right side it was only a matter of time before one of Eliot's superb corners would prove too much for the Sprowston defence and indeed that time came following a great corner from Eliot finding Marc's head who dispatched it straight into the back of the net.
13 min. Rocklands 1 - 0 Sprowston.
Rocklands continued to apply pressure on both sides pushing the play wide and at pace. Ewan and Joe G were snapping at the heels of the Sprowston midfield breaking up play and tackling hard but with good forward play by both. Marc had another free kick outside the area but again Sprowston placed the wall well and cleared there lines. But the Sprowston keeper had a good kick on him and with the ball landing in our half bouncing awkwardly over the defence with the ever present Sprowston striker tapping it in.
29 min. Rocklands 1 - 1 Sprowston.
From the kick off Eliot had other ideas and hit back immediately running at pace and cutting inside and unleashing one of Eliot's power strikes a certain goal but the keeper did very well to push it around the post for a corner. Rocklands playing well with the ball and attacking on both flanks with good delivery into the area but also playing well through the middle.
The referee blew for half time with Rocklands just getting the edge over Sprowston in play.
Half time Rocklands 1 - 1 Sprowston.
The second half brought Joe S on for Callum who has had excellent games on the wing and adapted to the position well with confidence to run with the ball at his opponents and more importantly distribute the ball at the right time in to the right place. Joe S has scored in last five games he has played in was today going to be any different?
Sprowston however were driving forward but our defence and Matty were up to the task with both clearing well and defending the corners well. There was a small break in play as Joe G received treatment. Both Ewan and Joe G were putting in the miles and tackling hard as well. The referee had words with both. Joe S was back to his usual self especially in sight of goal hunting the ball down with strong runs.
47 mins Louis replaced Ryan who had put himself about and was unlucky not to score. Sprowston were playing the better football but Marc was unlucky with the shot hitting the underneath of the bar having the better of the keeper only to be denied by the metalwork. Eliot was still running strongly down the right providing good balls into the area. It was Joe S getting on the end of one of them and turning struck the ball goalwards keeping his scoring in every game tally intact.
59 mins. Rocklands 2 - 1 Sprowston.
However a few minutes passed before Sprowston caught Rocklands napping and equalised.
61 mins. Rocklands 2 - 2 Sprowston.
Rocklands and Sprowston continued playing and matching each other. With some tough tackles going in from Joe G and Ewan it was Luke who took the hit for the lads and was shown the yellow card for a strong tackle. I think Luke was quite chuffed to be carded but Ewan and Joe G owe him a drink.
As the referee blew for the end of the game Rocklands had played a better first half but hung in there for the second half. More importantly they played for each other. Hence there is no man of the match as the team is the man of the match which is more important than individuality. A team plays for each other for their mates thick or thin you stand together. This is rare commodity treasure it.
The Team - Matty, our keeper who on his day is outstanding. Matty is the last man, the ball has to pass by ten men before reaching him, a place of fortune or solitude.
Charlie, the governor, el capitano. Marshalled his troops well throughout the year. Joe T, can play anywhere. A reader of the game. Sam, so calm and composed on the ball. Luke, strong in defence and the tackle really has come along this year. Eliot, grown in statue pace and strikes the ball so well. Callum, really grown into the game lately and comfortable with the ball. Ewan, from striker to midfield to striker a handful anywhere on the pitch. Joe S, such a strong runner, potential to be the strongest player on the pitch. Joe G, smallest player but 100% every game covers every blade of grass on the pitch, tackles hard and distributes well. Louis, upfront or in the middle loverly touch and delivery. Ryan, again smallest player but battles away either on the wing or upfront. Marc, great touch and control with some magic goals this season.
Through out the season others have appeared and we wish them well for next season, Anthony is moving to pastures new and we thank him for his contribution and wish him well. Reece, Marcus unknown but we hope they are enjoying football. If i have forgotten anyone apologies. But all of this would not be possible without the input of Rob and Steve whose time input should not be underestimated. Behind the scenes Amanda has made it all happen. Without peoples generosity of time and skills we wouldn't have a team of great lads playing football which for the majority of the time they enjoy immensely. At times Rocklands have played some great football and beaten teams above and below them. When they have been on the other side of winning they stayed playing with heads up. But more importantly the majority of the games they have enjoyed playing football.
Of course we cannot play without the referee and linesman and many thanks to Kevin and Pete who under adverse conditions at times is always there in the middle. Kevin our dependable linesman, new pair of boots?
The panel of Match of the Day on the sidelines thank you for your contributions and Anthony for time keeping.
