On a blustery Sunday afternoon we gathered at the Fitzwilliam Pavilion to face Thorpe. Referee Jerry Pitt made a good call by getting the lads indoors just before the heavens opened; in turn this gave us time to finish our coffee and scones/muffins indoors with Joe S Dad having to make do with instant coffee! Really have standards slipped? Anthony’s Dad didn’t have a care in the world as he was tucking into a delicious muffin.
However while we were tucking into coffee and cakes Ewan presented Steve with a can of 7 UP presumably as he was thirsty. Not for one moment did anyone think it reflected the Man City v Norwich score line at all.
With the tone set the game got underway with Thorpe in claret shorts and blue tops and Rocklands playing from left to right in a 4-4-2 formation. Immediately Anthony went on the attack on the left side and attacking the centre channels. Sam and Joe T combining well resulting in Joe T putting some lovely balls across the box. Thorpe’s keeper was under pressure from the start and made some good saves but at 5 mins in it was Anthony who calmly delivered the ball into the back of the net.
5 mins Rocklands 1 – 0 Thorpe.
This reporter wasn’t quick enough to make notes as Ewan brought the ball down nicely feeding Eliot who did one of his trade mark drives ala Frank Lampard (it pains me to say that) low and screaming into the back of the net.
6 mins Rocklands 2 – 0 Thorpe.
Still lagging on the note taking Anthony chasing down and pressurising the centre backs slammed in another goal!
7 mins Rocklands 3 – 0 Thorpe.
Finally I caught up! Lewis was distributing the ball with clarity and Eliot was making strong forward runs. This was made possible by Charlie marshalling the back four of Joe G, Luke, and Sam with Matty being fairly quiet. Ryan starting on the wing was breaking play up and having a good game. Anthony had other ideas and picked the ball up just passed the halfway line and made a superb run towards the goal twisting his way through Thorpe and deftly chipped the keeper.
13 mins Rocklands 4 – 0 Thorpe.
Thorpe were not giving up at all passing and trying to penetrate the Rocklands midfield and defence. Ewan kept up the pressure up front by chasing the ball at every opportunity. This paid off as Anthony set out on another rampaging run on the left crossing the ball leaving Ewan to head home for
22 mins Rocklands 5 – 0 Thorpe.
Eliot was breaking up play with Lewis and feeding the wide players. Joe T putting some terrific balls across and the Thorpe keeper was doing well to deny Rocklands adding to the score line. Thorpe broke through at times with Matty being called into play and making some good saves. It was one of these saves rebounded off Matty but Joe G cleared the line for Anthony to do an overhead kick and collect his own kick with a great touch and drove towards the goal and just going over the bar. However Thorpe did break through on the stroke of half time and scored.
Half time Rocklands 5 – 1 Thorpe.
Steve ( still reeling from Ewan’s generosity) and Rob gave the lads the required chat and back on they went with Joe S replacing Joe G despite Robs attempt to get Joe S to get the tea in Joe S settled in at centre back and scooped up loose ball and playing it wide or clearing it.
Rocklands started as they left off attacking well resulting in another lovely shot from Eliot from outside the box just missing the goal. Eliot was having a storming game. 10 mins into the second half Ryan came off with Joe G back on in midfield with instructions to break up play and stay in front of the back four. Eliot moved to the right wing and still producing strong powerful runs with excellent delivery of the ball. Matty was back to his kicking best and feeding Sam and Luke out wide who distributed the ball really well but also tackled hard and broke up Thorpe’s play. Thorpe were determined to get back into the game and with a free kick on the edge of the area put it over the wall and into the top right hand corner. 50 mins.
Rocklands 5 – 2 Thorpe.
This kick started the lads and after some good play Anthony feed Eliot who went on a right sided run and again drove the ball past the keeper. 60 min.
Rocklands 6 – 2 Thorpe.
Joe G was making some determined midfield runs battling against bigger lads but holding them off well and nutmeged his opposite for Anthony to have another cracking shot. This resulted in a corner which Louis took to perfection resulting in Anthony heading it home. 64 mins.
Rocklands 7 – 2 Thorpe.
The game ended at 7-2 with Rocklands playing some great football. Composed, excellent vision. A testament to Rob and Steve’s hard work is the ability of the players to play in different positions. Overall a good display by Rocklands. In the absence of Lawro the man in black and me could not pick a single man of the match so men of the match are Anthony and Eliot. Once again thanks to Pete for running the line and Joe G for technical assistance and parents braving the elements. I am sure they will look after us in our old age wont you lads!
