Another cold morning at Great Ellingham on a pitch that had held up well under recent rain/snow. This fixture had fallen foul of the weather on several occasions, so it was great to finally be able to play it.
With Rocklands missing top scorer Mark Riley, there were a few positional changes for the home team. Ewan Ford moving to centre forward, flanked by Louis Fraser and Joseph Thompson. Behind them, a three man midfield of Callum, Joseph Gyde and Eliot Clarke. Charlie Matthews made his return from injury at the heart of the defence, alongside Joseph Spoerry with Sam and Luke as marauding wing backs. Matty Noonan in goal.
Rocklands started very brightly and played some great passing football. Spreading the ball wide and with lots of movement across the pitch. An early move saw Joseph Thompson feed Ewan Ford, who flicked the ball into the right hand channel for the onrushing Eliot Clarke. Eliot connected well, but saw his shot scream just over the bar. The Toftwood defence was struggling to cope with the movement of Rocklands. It was not all one way traffic though and Toftwood did break forward several times - their wingers showing good pace and control. Ewan burst through one on one, but his attempted chip was saved by the 'keeper. The central defensive partnership of Charlie and Joseph was looking solid though. Charlie attacking several through balls and sliding in to clear danger, whilst Joseph provided the cover and mopped up anything in behind. Sam Parsons continued his spell of continuous improvement at left back. He never looked in trouble and showed good composure several times to build attacks from the back. The defence as a whole looked solid throughout the game and Matty was looking sharp behind them. It's always tempting in reports to focus on the scorers and the team going forward, but today the defence was the platform on which the performance was built. Rob Matthews commented that the MOTM could have easily gone to Sam or Charlie as well for their performances.
At centre forward, Ewan brings a different style of play to the team - positioning himself on the shoulder of the last man and looking to use his pace in behind. He also acts as a target for the ball into feet. It was midway through the first half when Ewan created the next opening for Rocklands. Controlling the ball in the area, he looked to turn and toed the ball past the defender. The challenge came in, missed the ball and took the player. Penalty to Rocklands. Ewan calmly placed the ball low and to the left, leaving the 'keeper with no chance.
There were a couple of other chances for Rocklands, with both Louis and Joseph T showing great industry down both wings and cutting inside. A few half chances fell to Rocklands, but the Toftwood 'keeper was in fine form and looked very capable.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first with Rocklands dominating possession and playing the better football. The team looks much more composed at the back and willing to play the ball out. It was the usual industrious performance from Joseph G, winning the ball back and helping Rocklands control the centre of the pitch. At times, the ball forwards was either a little too slow or overhit - but with practice this will improve. The team has to adjust to playing the ball into space sometimes, rather than just to feet.
Toftwood didn't give up and showed determination to battle their way back into the game. They broke clear of the Rocklands back four for probably the only time in the game, but the shot skewed wide. Both teams stepped up the tackles and there were a few scrappy fouls. One down the left hand side when Joseph T had beaten his marker again, but was pulled back. The Rocklands players lined up in the area for the cross to be swung in, but Ben Daynes had other ideas. He simply crashed the free kick off the 'keeper and bar before it crossed the line. 3-0 Rocklands. The midfield seemed to tire towards the end of the game on what had become a slightly heavy, sticky pitch, but they had done enough.
One further late chance for Rocklands when a shot took a deflection and looked to be going in, but the Toftwood 'keeper dived low and left to tip it around the post. Several players who could have claimed the MOTM, but Louis worked hard up and down the right hand side and helped keep the ball moving constantly.
Strong all round performance - never looking very threatened at the back. Well done boys - only one league game left.
