With the sun shining we awoke to a spring feel to the day and a home game against Hethersett but the spring feeling was dashed as going outdoors proved to be more winter than spring as the winter icy blast of wind was more akin to winter. As the ladies rearranged the ear warmers the chaps gathered and sought shelter by the clubhouse.
Now if you recollect this reporter’s amazement of using a digital timer to provide an accurate account of the timing of events during the game. He was looking forward to the joy of actually doing the whole game with the advantage of the new found timer which is only valuable when you switch it on and not remember half way through to switch it on! Now as you can see mistakes are easily made so if any are made please feel free to correct any discrepancy spotted.
Hethersett lined up in the orange kit playing with the wind behind them and in previous games Rocklands had beaten them this season but they play a well organised style of football which may prove hard to break down. Bruce volunteered to run the line this week and as the referee blew to start the game Hethersett were out of the blocks quickly applying pressure early on which provided them with a succession of corners. But with Matt in goal and Luke C alongside Joe T in at centre back Sam and Luke H were on the outside of them they were proving to be hard to crack early on in the game despite Hethersett having most of the possession in the opening minutes of the game. Joe G and Louis again in the middle with Matt H and Eliot on the outside with Robbie and Jack up front.
Hethersett had another corner which was particularly good but Joe G was on the line to clear at the near post, Matt gave him a pat on the head as Hethersett got another corner but this was cleared and Eliot found the ball and went on the burst down the line and provided a lovely cross for Robbie to fire the opening shot on target but it just rose a little and went over the bar. Rocklands were slowly getting off the mark and finding there wide fast players but the speed of the player at times may have been a little deceptive as the linesman for Hethersett flagged them offside continually.
Hethersett were back on the attack and Luke C recovered well and once again turned his man found space and drove forward with good control and pinged the ball forward to find Robbie. The pass was really well balanced with accuracy and pace. Robbie brought the ball down well and fired a shot again on target but it rose to go just over the bar which is a shame as it would have been a peach of a goal as the ball found its way from the back to the front so well.
Rocklands were beginning to get the game going for them now and the fast players outside for Rocklands providing some good runs and balls across to the advancing Rockland players. Matt H received one of these and his shot on target provided the keeper for Hethersett to make another good save. But was the strong wind Rocklands were playing against affecting play? It didn’t appear to be as Ewan came on for Eliot and Steffen on for Jack. Jack had been providing some excellent set piece delivery and his usual hustling early pressure of the ball high up the pitch.
Robbie was putting his mark on set pieces as he floated a corner across in the direction of Ewan who volleyed it goal ward but again the keeper made a good save. Was it going to be Rocklands day in the sun? Hethersett were back on attack and Matt found himself making a diving goal saving save by pushing the ball around the post. A fine reaction save it was. The game needed a goal as the early pressure from Hethersett had dwindled somewhat and Rocklands had begun to ascend a goal would be reward indeed.
It was Ewan’s turn to dink the ball past his man and switch the after burners on and as Ewan came back in off the outside line he put the most floating of crosses across and who was there to meet it Robbie. Robbie hit it on target beating the keeper who this time was glued to the spot as the ball flew in the back of the net.
25 min: Rocklands 1 – 0 Hethersett.
Joe S came on for Matt H and had been feeling unwell for most of the previous week picking up the dreaded lurgey but was determined to play. The goal had spurred Hethersett back into action and attacked when they could but the Rocklands defence stood firm. Rocklands were clearing much better from set pieces and trying to play it out from the back when they could but also they put their foot through the ball when required.
Halftime: Rocklands 1 – 0 Hethersett.
Early in the half Hethersett came at Rocklands with the wind behind them but had they done enough as Rocklands created more goal scoring opportunities than Hethersett and on another day could have been 2 or 3 up by half time. Rocklands pinching the first half play from Hethersett.
Rocklands have been taught to play from the back to take advantage of the formation of 4-2-3-1 and most of the time it comes off quite well as the strikers and wide players for Rocklands can take on and usually beat the opposite number. But following a back pass the Rocklands bobble took over and the pass out was intercepted by the Hethersett forward who put the ball away to draw the game.
45 min: Rocklands 1 – 1 Hethersett.
Rocklands were straight back on the attack and put the Hethersett back four under a lot of pressure but the Hethersett keeper was keeping his side in the game. Matt H shot on target had the keeper pushing it around the post. As a result of the Rocklands pressure Hethersett were giving away free kicks in vulnerable areas which Joe S was thriving with as he floated the ball into the danger zone with Joe G getting a head to it but it went wide of the post. Louis and Joe G were swapping well taking turns to go forward and try to find the winning goal. Joe T was encouraging his troops well and directing the game.
Hethersett gathered again following a hiccup put the ball through for their second goal.
58 min: Rocklands 1 – Hethersett 2.
This sparked Rocklands into upping the tempo and although they were chasing for the goal there was still time and Hethersett still hadn’t created any real goal scoring opportunities rather they capitalised on the only two hiccups of the game which couldn’t be missed. The linesman for Hethersett again flagged for offside despite Steffen being on the ground and not involved in play at all which as we all know you can’t be offside if you are not directly involved , goal disallowed.
Despite this Rocklands continued to press for the equalizer but once again poor flag control interrupted the game. Steffen had made his way into the area well and was lining his shot up went to fire it away only to be chopped down within the area but no flag went up (despite the frequency earlier on) or penalty was awarded. A blatant penalty went by but Rocklands kept their cool and pressed for the goal. Hethersett were on the back foot for most of the later part of the second half but it was not to be Rocklands day and as the whistle went the Hethersett supporters cheered and the linesman spoke saying I don’t know how they won that one. Mmm well where could we start lino?
Rocklands have been taught to play football from the back and this in large has been very profitable and successful but we can all make mistakes which is how we all learn what ever age we are. I know the lads walked off the pitch with the bitter taste of defeat in their mouth knowing they weren’t beaten by a better side but remember lads that bitter taste, to go forward and play the football Rocklands play we are going to make mistakes as we all do but we learn from it. No one is to blame and no one should be blamed as Rocklands win together as a team and lose together as a team. We take it on the chin and roll with the punches but when it’s our turn to punch, put the opposition to the sword.
A battle may have been lost but the war goes on. Believe in your self’s and believe beyond reason you are a good side playing good football together as one. With that belief and whether going forward or back it is as one which as you have found is one of your greatest strengths.
