The talk throughout the week was the final game of the season versus Cringleford and with Rocklands being top of the table there indeed was plenty to play for, from both sides. The weather didn’t loosen its grip and provided us with lashing rain and wind. So the final curtain of an eventful season was about to close as a nervous Rocklands took to the field to warm up, and as all good parents we were seeking cover in Amanda’s café going over the permutations of who would end up being league leaders.
This reporter was lost after the first scenario and after brief thought of what would Jeremy Clarkson do in this situation as I glanced out the window which was keeping the torrent at bay towards the car park thinking that wet grass and power sliding a car about the pitch may be a better alternative to standing in the rain and cold. Mmm Aston or Audi today Jezza?
The lads would be certainly sliding about today as would the ball. Both sets of parents made their way out towards the pitch the umbrellas were in abundance and Kevin kindly lent me his, one to keep me dry but also protect pen and paper. C’Ford lined up in yellow as the referee checked boots and reminded both sides that good fair play was the order of the day. Kevin kindly donned his waterproofs to run the line and as far as linesman goes there is no one fairer and understands the game in the league, than Kevin.
Whatever the season had in store for Rocklands this was going to be a long 80 mins. Could the lads win the final game and be in contention for the league title? With every young lad or lady who runs out onto the pitch on a Sunday morning dream of winning the league whatever level they play at. It certainly is a fantastic achievement at any level. Would Rocklands have thought they would be in with a shout at the beginning of the season? I don’t know but what I do know is that I have not come across such a unified team in my time, which yes I know is a long time. Having worked with pro footballers in the past, praise indeed.
Steve and Greg started with Matt in goal and Luke C, Joe S at centre back with Luke H and Joe T outside of them. Louis and Ewan started in the middle with Eliot and Steffen ready to pounce out wide. Jack and Robbie completed the team up front. Joe G, Sam and Matt H were keeping warm ready to come on as has been the case throughout the season rolling subs. Rocklands were quick off the mark as the ref blew to start the match and were trying to find the strong running of either Steffen or Eliot. C Ford plays a similar style of football to Rocklands, trying to play from the back and put a flowing fluid game together.
It wasn’t long however before Eliot had the beating of his man after testing him a couple of times and off he went down the right side and cutting back in slightly before drilling a cross into the danger zone and who was there to collect from the other side? Steffen steaming in onto the low cross and side footed the ball past the keeper to open the scoring.
2 min: Rocklands 1 – 0 CFord.
What a start by the lads but could they hold the lead or extend it as C’Ford from the kick off applied the pressure. It was at about this time that the pen wasn’t quite doing its job as was the paper. Both fellow Fleet Street reporters were reporting clothing seepage starting to happen as we stood watching the ball skim across the pitch at a great rate of knots closely followed by players trying to keep a solid footing.
Rocklands were in for tough game as both sides battled well but C’Ford may have had a slight edge in midfield at times but the strong outside runners for Rocklands were countering the C Ford attack with powerful runs but to be fair C’Ford had a solid defense and were proving hard to break down.
Robbie had other ideas as he twisted and turned his man the other way and was finding Steffen well out on the left but the ball was travelling at speed as it skimmed off the wet pitch. Rocklands had their first corner and Jack once again delivered such a great ball right on target but C’Ford was not up to conceding another goal.
Joe S had a free kick just over the centre circle and again Joe S placed the ball so well , the C Ford back four were threatened again. But C Ford was back on the attack pushing a shot wide. It was C Ford turn with a corner but Matt rose high and punched it clear.
C Ford continued to apply pressure at every opportunity and from a corner the ball ended up in the back of the net.
20 min: Rocklands 1 – 1 C Ford.
On the 25th min the rolling subs began with Joe G and Matt H coming on giving Jack and Louis a breather. It was now that all writing material gave up the ghost as the rain continued to lash down taking the seepage of the trouser legs to a new level of saturation.
C Ford had a spell of getting the ball forward but the back four were up to it as they always are. Matt was collecting the wet slippery ball as if it was dry as a bone, how I don’t know. The midfield were trying to find the outside fast men and front men. Both sides were competing well in a fair played encounter on skid pan surface Rocklands earned a yellow with a late sliding tackle but there was no malicious intent the surface took over as Ewan slide into the tackle.
Play was going from end to end and the referee was keeping the game flowing well along with his fellow drenched linesman and it wasn’t long until the ref blew for half time where possibly C’Ford nipped the later stages of the first half but the score board was on an even keel.
Halftime: Rocklands 1 – 1 C Ford.
Both teams headed for the changing rooms for a brief period of respite from the weather. Spectators sought refuge either inside or in the lee of the building.
As the second half began Rocklands were quick off the mark again the possibility of what was at stake looming over the next 40 mins for both teams. Rocklands wide players of Steffen and Eliot were putting the ball into the mixer finding Robbie and Matt H but the ball just wasn’t falling for them due to the slippery conditions as the pace of the ball didn’t fall away after the pass.
C Ford put in a shot where Matt pulled off a great save scooping it up just to the outside of him. Robbie and Matt had a couple of shots just going either wide or skimming the cross bar. C Ford had some pace in their back four with their own version of Mertesacker at centre back. Eliot and Steffen swapped sides as Sam came on with Joe T going on the left.
From corners Rocklands had some excellent delivery and possibly should have attacked the delivery a little more, Louis putting a header just wide after a C Ford scramble around the goalmouth. Both sides were beginning to run low on time, what tactic would they adopt to attempt to seal the game?
Steve and Greg drew the tactical upper hand and went to three at the back as Rocklands went for the win. C Ford appeared content to defend this approach as Rocklands fired forward with Steffen as he flew down the left side and cut slightly in to his right and fired his shot away destined to go in but the keeper pushed it round for a corner. C Ford were off and with Rocklands back three were making a little more ground and it was from this that al Gordon Banks Matt made a most glorious save diving to his right and flicking the ball up and around the post.
Louis at the other end volleyed toward goal with the keeper saving it. The Rockland players were playing a high line but still defended well putting the ball back into the area at every opportunity. Steffen again went close as did Robbie and Jack. The ball just was not falling for them in the goalmouth scramble. Matty again pulled off another great save, he was really on song today despite the weathers best effort.
It was all Rocklands in the last few minutes as they poured forward winning corner after corner and trying to put the ball into the back of the net. The crossbar was hit along with the post and still it didn’t want to go into the CFord net. Any other time we could have had possibly two or three but as it stood with Rocklands going forward the referee blew to end the game. C Ford leapt with joy and Rockland sunk to their knees with their head in their arms. In all the games I have watched I have never seen them walk off a pitch with such disappointment displayed. A sombre mood indeed and I felt for every one of them as I know what that feeling is like.
But, there is always a but I know. This group of players have come so far and have become the team to beat by fair or foul means in some cases and their biggest asset? Playing as a unit, playing for each other, enjoying playing their football. This combined with playing with integrity and team honour this what Rocklands U15’s are about.
This hasn’t happened by chance, it’s been a long time coming and as you know Rocklands didn’t have the best start to the season but Rob’s legacy goes on as it should. Watching those lads walk behind Rob’s casket as he went for his final journey, tears to my eyes. No one to my knowledge asked if they would do that they went of their own accord and paid the big guy the utmost respect. A big man with a big smile and an even bigger sense of fairness for all. I know Rob has been looking down on us all season thinking I knew they could do that, play like that.
Rob and Steve and now Greg have helmed this ship and the courage for Steve to carry on and fulfil the original idea of playing flowing football is to be commended. The lads play for you because the respect and sense of duty and integrity installed from the start shines through.
Now enough, back to the team. We probably would not have two players if it wasn’t for the fact that Robbie’s mum keyed in Rocklands for football and ended up a fair distance away from her intended destination. And what a find as Robbie and Steffen ended up playing in the middle of the countryside!
Firstly Charlie – A tough year for the big guy and injured to boot, we miss that no messing about at the back. See you next season big guy.
Robbie – aka Courtino. What a player scores goals for fun, turns on sixpence, dribbles the ball like it’s stuck to his foot.
Steffen – What can’t you say about Steffen, great attitude, battler and the Usain Bolt of the league but a smart player with it. Can play anywhere on the pitch.
An absolute pleasure to have two such talented individuals in the team and they cut about as if they have been there seasons. I hope you have enjoyed playing as much as we have enjoyed watching you both.
Matty – Between the sticks last man a desolate place but Matty has again been outstanding. Making some spectacular saves and keeping Rocklands in the game.
Joe S – aka can I go upfront Steve. Another athlete can play anywhere on the pitch. Such a strong running player with a good football head.
Luke C – Another find for this season Le Quiff another talented, thinking footballer with such good feet. Again a pleasure to watch and we hope you have enjoyed yourself as much as we have enjoyed watching you and Joe S set one of the cleanest defences in the league.
Luke H – Craig has been feeding Luke raw meat, Luke had every striker in his back pocket never missed a beat and stopped everything before him.
Sam – Cool collective left back, turns his man and finds his pass every time, great delivery into the box.
Joe T – Captain for the season and has done really well in the absence of Charlie. Always marshals his troops with guidance and encouragement. A rare commodity. A fine job done Joe.
Eliot – Such a talented strong player with cutting runs and a fierce shot from anywhere on the pitch.
Louis – Such a tough place to play midfield but has done so well this season winning the aerial battle and scoring vital goals.
Joe G – Again midfield such a tough place to play but covers the ground in front of the back four. Collecting supplying the ball wide or centrally wins the ground ball. Being one of the smaller players but gives his all every game. Would love a goal though.
Ewan – Midfield, front or full back can play any role such is the versatility of Ewan, tough in the tackle and fast over the ground combined with the difficulty of getting the ball off him makes him atricky player to deal with.
Jack – Such a great delivery of the ball is Jack and hustle the opposition high up the pitch, certainly like Joe G punches above his weight and gives his all. So chuffed he scored thoroughly deserved.
Matt H – Another new comer but has fitted in so well and what a handful up front, Matts long levers must be a nightmare to defend against. Finished off some lovely moves in front of goal. Another we hope has enjoyed playing as much as we have enjoyed watching.
Callum – Played some games during the season and has grown an inch every time we saw him. When he played on the left a good strong runner and supplier of the ball.
Of course all of this cannot happen without the man in the middle and many thanks to you all who turned up on some appalling days to stand in the middle of a rain lashed pitch to referee the matches. Pete made a comeback late in the season and what great games they were covering almost 10km in one game. I suspect he secretly enjoys it in the middle. Many thanks Pete. Also we cannot forget the linesman throughout the season. Usually Kevin ran the line with such control and integrity but at times Matt H, Eliot and Joe T dads ran the line. Without them the game wouldn’t go on. Many thanks to all.
Thanks also must go out to all parents who I have badgered for timings who scored this or that and what happened there. MOM comments are as always well received.
Behind the scenes thanks to Amanda for organising it all and having such fortitude, an inspiration to us all. Also thanks to Dena for all your hard work behind the scenes of a football coach.
A massive thank you to all Mum’s and Dads who stood pitch side travelled miles, got wet, got cold but still stood firm cheering the team.
I do hope I have covered everyone and apologies if I have missed anyone contact me and I shall make amends. Finally the only two left Steve and Greg , the coaches Jose and Arsene at times my overwhelming thought is they have got it right tactically again but the number one factor is how both have moulded the lads into a fantastic unit. Whatever the outcome of the league will be, Rocklands can stand proud and know they played with integrity and honoured Rob’s memory to the full.
