Rocklands were at home to Toftwood and the chat over tea and coffee at Amanda's cafe was about if the lads could have a surge and finish near the top of the league. We were about to find out as Toftwood arrived with ten men only ready to go. Despite a split boot Kevin took to the line as usual and the ref blew the whistle to start the game. Matty in goal with our ever dependable back four of Charlie, Joe T with Luke and Sam at left and right back. Louis and Joe G in the middle and Callum starting on the left in the absence of Joe S and Eliot on the right. Marc and Ewan starting upfront as Anthony was on holiday. Ryan was waiting in the wings.
Rocklands started brightly playing there passing wide game to try and stretch the ten man Toftwwod. Toftwood took the early chance of a shot on goal but Matty was up to the task and collected the ball. Joe G took a ball to the face following a Joe T clearance and admitted post game he still felt dizzy but played on. After the break in play another one of Eliot's storming runs and seeing Ewan delivered a lovely pass but the Toftwood defence was up to the task and cleared their lines. Eliot was on marauding form with another run towards goal this time crossing into the area but Toftwood cleared only for Marc to collect and turn for a nice shot on goal. Luke and Eliot were working well together just as Callum and Sam were on the left. Callum was having a superb game beating his man with deft touches and running at the Toftwood defence. Callum was playing well with and without the ball, proving to be a handful to the opposition.
Marc won a free kick outside the area but the wind was gusty and proving troublsome at times holding the ball up. Marc delieverd a great ball goal ward but just going over. It was Eliot who provided the opening goal after a strong run down the line again and hitting a fantastic shot which went over the keeper and into the back of the net. Much in a similar vain as his beloved Chelsea's Franky Lampard, I would of thought of Stevie G but I'm sure Eliot would not agree with me!
18 min. Rocklands 1 - 0 Toftwood.
Toftwood were back on the attack winning a corner with the resulting header hitting the bar, a bit close for comfort. Callum took a knock but after a short break in play he was up and running again. Marc took another free kick delivering a good ball but Rocklands were adjudged to be just offside. Matty was called into action again pushing the ball around the post to deny Toftwood. Marc had another chance with another free kick but he would have to pick his moment as the wind was gusting at times however Marc rose to the challenge and the Toftwood keeper had to pick the ball out of the back of the net.
31 min. Rocklands 2 - 0 Toftwood.
Soon after this the ref blew for half time and Rocklands would have the wind behind them for the second half. But the Toftwood linesman began shouting abusive language toward the referee it was at this point the referee approached the linesman only for the referee to recieve a saliva laden abuse and as he was carded for this offence the linesman tore them in half and threw them away. This was all done in full view of players and spectators not a great example to portray for the youth of today and especially in view of recent nation wide press reports of youth football in Norfolk. ( These are the personal opinions of the reporter.) The game was being played in good spirit without malice or any indication of injustice.
With this behind us and a new linesman the second half kicked off with Rocklands having a good half but Toftwood were playing very well with ten men, Callum came off with an ankle injury with Ryan coming on up front with Marc and Ewan dropping to right back and Joe T playing on the left wing. Rocklands had the wind behind them now could they capitilise on it? But Toftwood were eager to score the Toftwood lads were playing well and pressing Rocklands. At this point Luke collected the ball inside his own half and took a shot at the goal leaving the ball to bounce over the keeper and just over the bar. Rocklands were playing well but just breaking down in the final third. Ryan was chasing everything down up front. Toftwood had a free kick just outside of the area which just went over the bar. Toftwood continued to pressure and this resulted in a goal.
52 min. Rocklands 2 - 1 Toftwood.
Toftwood were getting on top with a desire to score another, Rocklands just went off the boil slightly unable to get the ball cleanly into the front two. It was around this time the referee had to ask the captain of Toftwood to tell the linesman to calm down. The Toftwood spectators could not contain themselves and the referee was again under verbal attack. Both teams looked bemused but the game carried on again played in good spirit. Marc had another free kick just after the incident which again just went over the bar. Rocklands began to play with a little more precesion and desire to finish the game strongly but Toftwood played very well with ten men.
Man of the Match again was disscused on the sidelines and if we could award the Toftwood lads with men of the match we would have because of the maturity they showed during the match and after apologising for the behaviour of the spectators. Joe T had a great first half as did Matty and Marc up front but we went towards Eliot for his work and strong runs and a fantastic goal. But we all have to remember that we would not be able to play at all without the man in the middle the referee.
