Who would win the super Sunday matches dominated the sideline discussion despite Bruce's best effort to disrupt Craig's fathers focus on the up and coming friendly of Rocklands v Watton who currently lead the B division of the league. Charlie, Rocklands captain asked for a linesman where upon Ewan's brother Gregg kindly agreed allegedly under the impression of financial gain. The pitch was in superb but firm condition as opposed to last week's hay paddock and as Joe G's eldest brother played at Watton he was keen to win.
The ladies of Rocklands took to the seats as the men folk stood contemplating the walk to the tea bar but the ref blew to start the game with Rocklands playing from right to left with a fresh cross wind blowing. Matty was behind Charlie and Callum at centre back with Luke and Sam outside them. Joe T was on the left with Joe S playing just inside him. Joe G centre mid and Ewan on the right along with Ryan up front alongside Marc. Eliot was nursing a thigh injury but together with Louis were our only subs. Anthony unavaliable due to injury.
Rocklands started well playing the ball wide and the passing combinations were troubling Watton early as was Joe T's strong running down the left. In fact Joe T just couldn't quite connect fully with an early strike at goal. The Watton back four looked nervous and at times unsteady. Joe T came to the fore again with an excellent throw in to find Ryan who had a shot which the keeper collected safely. The midfield were passing well and finding Marc and Ryan which resulted in good pressure on Watton's back four.
Joe G stole the ball and found Marc on the left side with Ewan out on the right shouting for the ball which Marc dually provided resulting in Ewan putting the ball calmly in the back of the net.
14 mins. 1 Rocklands - Watton 0.
The lead was short lived as Watton took advantage of a Rocklands defensive error and equalised.
18 mins. 1 Rocklands - Watton 1.
Rocklands continued with pressure on the Watton defence, Joe S supplied a fantastic corner right across the goal mouth which was sadly missed by everyone. However Watton were begining to take control of the game at times putting Rocklands on the back foot. A clearance by Rocklands fell nicely for Watton to hit a strike at goal with the ball bouncing under Matty and into the net.
25 mins. 1 Rocklands - Watton 2.
Rocklands were getting squezzed as Watton pushed higher up the pitch and began to put some good passing combinations together. Despite some hard work in midfield it just wasn't falling for Rocklands. Joe G at 39 min was hit in the face with the ball and was replaced by Eliot. 40 mins came up as the ref blew for half time.
Half time. 1 Rocklands - Watton 2.
Rocklands started the second half unchanged but were now playing with the slight down hill slope advantage. However it was not to long before Watton struck again.
42 mins. 1 Rocklands - Watton 3. During this Ryan came off for Louis and Joe G for Callum. Joe S went to centre back with Charlie and Joe G resuming his midfield position. However Watton were proving difficult as they were putting themselves between the ball and the Rockland players. The physical side of Watton's game began to take effect despite some strong tackling from Joe G who was putting the miles in today and Luke who was stopping the Watton stronger players as well with some solid tackles. The ref was happy to let some of the less desirable tackles go but elbows and being swung by the shirt is possibly a little lenient. Watton had a free kick which was struck sweetly and with the help of a glancing header flew past Matty and into the net.
44 mins. 1 Rocklands - Watton 4.
Rocklands began to get back in the game getting to the ball first and challenging hard. The spirit was still there with Joe G breaking up play and finding players in space and giving himself time on the ball to find his front runners. The ball came out from the Watton goal mouth and fell to Joe T who from 30 yds struck it well and over the keeper.
66 mins. 2 Rocklands - Watton 4.
Watton continued to push forward with Luke putting some great tackles to stop Watton going down the right. However Watton tapped the ball in after Rocklands failed to clear the goal area.
70 mins. 2 Rocklands - Watton 5. This was followed by a cross?? or was it a shot whatever it was the ball curled around Matty from the right side to the left hand side of the goal.
71 mins. 2 Rocklands - Watton 6.
The ref blew to finish the match with Rocklands at times able to match and play Watton but at other times dipped away from the physical side of the match. We just need to play at the former level for a greater percentage of the game. Bearing in mind Watton are leading the division above we held our own very well at times. I gathered opinion on MOM with Joe G and Luke coming to top of the list via my Match of the Day panel. Joe G's work rate and as Sarah commented nerves of steel, no fear and Luke's strong busting tackles and distribution to his forward palyers. The panel had to work hard and Luke got the nod for MOM. Many thanks to Gregg for running the line for financial gain or not a job well done. The Match of the Day panel may have over heard Bruce saying that Joey's goal was worth at least £10. A great gesture from Dad, good luck Joey.
