An afternoon kick off allowed Rocklands parents the chance to read the sunday papers and drink coffee while basking in the autumn sunshine. After last weeks close game were we going to be in for another as Cringleford came back in the second half to win the game last season. As the sun warmed the afternoon air the talk amongst the lads was the Arsneal v Chelsea game due to start, Matty and Ewan were hoping for the gooners to win but Eliot remained quietly confident. Gregg was away with the FA but will be back soon.
As the lads warmed up Jack who wasn't playing asked if he could come along anyway to support the team and duly helped the team warm up. A nice touch indeed. Cringleford's pitch looked huge as the sun turned the day into almost a mid summer's day. Rocklands were playing left to right and as the ref blew to start the match Cringleford applied pressure from the off. A corner resulted from the early pressure and the delivery from Cringleford was top notch but Joe G headed the ball off the goal line from the far post but Cringleford put another shot through on goal but Matty collected it with ease. Cringleford were exerting the early pressure and playing a well drilled style of football. Although it wasn't all one way traffic as Joe G found Joe T who crossed for the ever marauding Steffen to trouble the Cringleford defence. The rolling subs began as Charlie who had been feeling unwell for most of the week came off with Luke C aka Le Quiff (sorry Luke your mum said it was ok) to take up the centre back position.
Rocklands had some terrific passages of play with one in particular resulting in Robbie firing in a shot but the Cringleford keeper made a fantastic save denying Robbie opening the scoring. Although Rocklands were having difficulty not clearing the first man with their set pieces which helped Cringleford to apply the pressure high up the field. Our back four and Matty were busy today as Cringleford put the ball over the top to their frontmen numerous times but the back four were up to the task with Luke Le Quiff scooping the ball up and turning his man easily and always finding the midfield of Joe G or Louis or the widemen Ewan and Eliot. Luke seems to play with such time on the ball and together with Joe S beside tackling and tracking back Cringleford's front two had to work hard and if it went wide Luke H and Sam broke up play. Sam linking well with Ewan and Joe T and no one was getting pass Luke H who is developing into such a strong player.
Once again it was Luke C found the strong running Eliot who took off down the right side and passed it inside to Steffen who provided a lovely weighted ball through to Robbie who in turn beat his man and cut to his right, the keeper thinking he was going to be chipped but Robbie drove it low and hard into the left corner of the goal.
22 min Cringleford 0 - 1 Rocklands.
Soon after it was Ewan's turn hitting a long range shot but the keeper collected well to deny Ewan's name on the score sheet. It wasn't long before Cringleford put the squeeze back on Rocklands resulting in Matty making some goal saving saves but Cringleford were finding their frontmen too easily at times despite the hardwork being done by all on the pitch. It was one of the over the top balls again that allowed a mix up where Cringleford poked the ball past Matty.
32 min Cringleford 1 - 1 Rocklands.
Rocklands in the past would have possibly taken a while to strike back but they went straight back on the attack and it was from a throw in straight to Robbie who almost made it two but the keeper did well and saved the shot. Cringleford ended the half with another shot but Matty palmed it round the post.
Halftime Cringleford 1 - 1 Rocklands. Rocklands had played well but Steve wanted to play a little more defensively in the first half. Cringleford just nipping the half possibly?
The second half kicked off with a little more pressure being applied by Rocklands higher up the pitch with Matt putting himself about up front. This higher pressure up the field allowed Rocklands a little more freedom with the ball in the midfield. Cringleford and Rocklands were playing some good football at times playing a similar style trying to find the front men. Eliot started it off by floating a pass forward to Robbie it was now Rocklands turn to play the ball to the front men either Matt or Robbie. Rocklands differed in that they played through the middle or from the left or right and done at pace.
Sam played the most lovely weighted ball to Robbie who shot on goal but the keeper pushed the ball out only for it to fall to Steffen who put his foot right through it sending it goalward only for it to hit the crossbar and rebound off and who got his head to it first? Steffen again. The pressure was not off Rocklands as the back four stopped most before them with Matty making some excellent saves and had found his kicking boots clearing to and past the halfway line. Rocklands were improving as the game went on creating chances with shots being stopped by either the keeper or the posts. The game was swinging more Rocklands way and when you hear the lads talking of punishing the mistakes made by Cringleford calling for the ball pointing where they want the ball it bodes well, very well for Rocklands. With the back four controlling the Cringleford front men and playing higher up the field with two up front the lads kept applying the pressure and it was Steffen off again on the left nutmegging his opposite and cutting inside firing it goalward to the top right hand corner but it just skimmed over the crossbar. Luke C again breaking up play denying the Cringleford frontmen calmly finding the equally calming Joe S. They were stroking the ball to Sam or Luke who would find the midfield centrally or wider.
Robbie passed back to Eliot who thundered another shot toward goal but it just went over the bar. Robbie delivered set pieces spot on into the box causing problems for the Cringleford defence. Rocklands were playing well all over the pitch, finding their men with quick slick passing. This combined with strong running towards goal made for a great game to watch. But it wasn't only when Rocklands had the ball it was when they didn't have the ball, players chased back, broke up play, strong in the tackle. Matty keeping us in the game, the back four playing with confidence. Midfield doing what the midfield do stop play chase play create play leaving the front men to thunder goalward. This makes a team tick and this results in Rocklands playing the football they are playing, its the collective not the individual.
However despite Lesley waving her wand the referee blew for full time and the game came to an end. The rolling subs are working well with the lads rolling on and off after a breather or Steve giving them information. As ever the M.O.M was difficult Luke Le Quiff was outstanding as were the back four and Matty. Robbie scoring goals like only Robbie can. The hard working midfield and frontmen but Steve put Steffen in front working hard on and off the ball. But as always the Rocklands ethos is a collective one which produces games like today. It really bodes well keep working hard lads and the rewards will come.
