Away to Thorpe and as the cold wind blew around the gathering crowd we were pondering the outcome of todays game and it wasn't the Man City v Liverpool (the mighty reds!) game later that day. Rocklands lined up with one on the bench as Anthony was still away and Joe S unavaliable. Pre match nerves were about with Lesley requiring Karen to calm the underlying tension, thank you Karen. With only two more games left could we push on?
Ryan lined up with Marc upfront with Ewan and Joe G in the middle and Eliot and Callum on the outside. Charlie and Joe T along with the dependable Luke and Sam beside them and Matty in goal. A quick change around in the direction of play before kick off just before the young referee Matthew Cotton blew to start the game, it is a good sight to see young referee's taking up the challenge of being the man in the middle. Kev had some intact boots for this game as he ran the line for Rocklands.
Thorpe have a strong midfield and a very good striker up front, Rocklands would have to be on there toes. Rocklands started really well passing and playing out from the back using the wide players. Callum left off from last weeks game and was again playing well on the left running and beating his man. Marc and Callum were combining nicely on the left and centre area of the field. Eliot was getting forward and using his strong runs to good effect. Thorpe were trying to supply there potent striker with long and short balls but Joe T was reading the game well and was sticking close to him. Joe T was doing an excellent job in containing him.
Thorpe took the lead after a mix up at the back with Matty trying to collect the ball and colliding with players.
13 mins. Thorpe 1 - 0 Rocklands.
Rocklands still stuck to the game plan and got there passing game going again but Thorpe were trying to attack at every opportunity. Luke and Sam were making some good covering tackles to prevent Thorpe crossing the ball into the box. Joe G and Ewan in the middle were working hard and covering a lot of the ground. Joe G supplied a lovely left pass over his bigger opponent towards Callum to pick up as he ran forward with Marc. Rocklands at times were playing some nice football, composed with the ball and delivering some good passes wide and into the middle channel. But it was Thorpe who maintained that composure for longer periods along with the first touch left Rocklands chasing the ball at times.
However Eliot had other ideas and he easily beat his man down the right side and crossed the ball towards Marc and a forward running Joe G. Eliot provided a peach of a cross where Marc headed the ball gently over the defender and volleyed it past the keeper.
32 mins. Thorpe 1 - 1 Rocklands.
Rocklands were back in the game but Thorpe continued the attack from the kick off, winning a free kick just outside the area just before half time. Matty was up to the task and collected the ball as the ref blew for half time.
Half time. Thorpe 1 - 1 Rocklands.
Rocklands began the second half as they left the first half strongly. But Thorpe had other ideas and had a long range shot which went over the top of Matty into the net, not a good time for a goal.
39 mins. Thorpe 2 - 1 Rocklands.
Ryan came off after putting himself about up front replaced by Louis.
But it was not long before Thorpe struck again.
44 mins. Thorpe 3 - 1 Rocklands.
Thorpe were in the driving seat but Rocklands kept trying to break forward however at times Rocklands just lost the ball at vital times leaving Marc a little isolated at times. Joe G was chasing the ball down just as Ewan fell hurting his back on the half way line requiring a break in play. Ewan's game was over for the day but he had done his best and does very well considering his current symptoms, a true trooper to the end. Ryan came back on replacing Ewan.
Thorpe struck again shortly after the break.
50 mins. Thorpe 4 - 1 Rocklands.
Thorpe began to dominate the game now but Rocklands kept trying to push forward not giving up at all. Marc had a free kick outside the area which he provided sweetly into the area finding Joe G who just missed with his head by a few millimetres. Thorpe had a set piece at the other end where the ball ended up in the back of the Rocklands net.
61 mins. Thorpe 5 - 1 Rocklands.
The referee blew for final time and Rocklands were beaten by a team that had a similar passing game but the accuracy of the final pass and first touch was just that bit better along with composure on the ball giving them time to either turn us or play the pass. Thorpe didn't watch the ball when they had set pieces played against them which at times we are guilty of. We can play a good passing game as well but Thorpe played the pass that bit longer to stretch us mixed with the shorter passes made us chase the ball down at times. Almost as if the other team has an extra man. Rocklands can play like that, short or long passes of the ball remembering that you can play good football which Rocklands have in the past. Composure on the ball with a good touch mixed with a touch of confidence blended with an accurate long and short passing game, it's all there. Rocklands have players that can do it.
M.O.M was discussed on the side lines as I gather public opinion but refrain from voting to avoid bias much to the disgust of Joe G as i try and explain that we live in a democracy. Joe T for covering the Thorpe striker, Marc working hard up front or Joe G for covering every patch of grass on the field and putting his head or foot and body on the line. The gathering crowd put Marc ahead by one vote from Joe G.
From all this we have a group of committed players that will put themselves about the pitch and are capable of good football so lets look forward to the next and last game of the season and lads play the football you enjoy. There is a cycling term where as you enter the last half a mile to the finish you empty the tank, you ride and drive yourself hard to cross the line completely given your all to the cause. Come on Rocklands finish the season strong.
