Mothering Sunday and what an occasion for Mum’s to get up early in the morning to stand in the again bitterly cold wind and watch their angelic children run around chasing a pig’s bladder. Such devotion to persuade Mum’s to attend when they could be having tea and coffee reading the papers at home.
Amanda’s café was again another popular place as the tea and coffee was consumed and the menfolk gathered in the shelter of the clubhouse outside discussing whether Rocklands would be able to get the bogey of not beating Horsford this season and last season off their back. The lads seemed very keen and over hearing Robbie’s mum saying I want a goal for Mother’s day Robbie had very little choice but to put one in the back of the net for Mothering Sunday.
But wanting a goal and getting a goal, well would it happen? Rocklands lined up ready to go without the calm collected Luke C , hence Luke H moved into the middle with Joe T and the ever versatile Ewan moved to right back along with Sam ( new boots?) on the other side. Louis and Joe G in the middle both after having a great game against Alysham would have to be again at their best to compete with the Horsford middle men.
Joe S and Steffen started on the outside of them both strong running physical players. Matt H and Robbie completed the front line up with Eliot another strong runner with physical presence and Jack the dynamo up front waiting in the wings to come on and give Horsford some problems. Charlie’s knee is coming along well apart from his ankle caving in during training in the week. Matty our final man was ready in goal.
Could Rocklands lift the bogey of not beating Horsford? Mark Aycliffe the referee blew to start the game as Kevin took to the line, we were about to find out.
Rocklands began well passing the ball about with the cold wind behind them. Sam’s new boots were proving up to the task as he was collecting and distributing the ball well from the start. The improvised back four were looking very good.
Robbie had a few early chances but it didn’t quite fall quite right for him. Possibly the mother’s day goal was not going to come for Robbie or his mum. No pressure eh Robbie.
The midfield were having some work to do as the ball appeared to either go around or over them but Louis latched onto a ball and feed Robbie who turned his man so well and hit the ball so sweetly it floated over the keeper and into the back of the net. With Robbie’s mum watching her wish came true.
12 min: Rocklands 1 – 0 Horsford.
But it wasn’t long before Horsford were back on the attack and putting pressure on the back four and midfield. Ewan was having a great game at right back with his speed proving unpopular with the opposition but an asset for Rocklands linking well with Steffen and running beyond his man.
Horsford had a free kick in a dangerous area and Matt in goal would have to be on his toes. The ball came in just over the line of players and a shot rifled the ball goal ward low and to the right of Matty. How Matty got down so low and quick I don’t know but he did enough to parry it around the post for a corner. A fine reaction save indeed. Being the last man on the pitch before the ball hits the net can be such a place of isolation but on the other hand glory.
Horsford playing against the wind were applying the screw at times but Rocklands were up to the task. The question was could Rocklands use the wind a bit more to their advantage before Horsford had it behind them?
It wasn’t long before Robbie had another good shot stopped by the keeper. The ball headed back to the Rocklands mid field and Ewan provided Steffen with the ball who was just inside the halfway line and looked up to see the keeper just off his line and pinged the ball goal ward and with the keeper off his line he watched the ball just skim the cross bar. One hell of an attempt at range.
Eliot came on for Joe S another strong runner with the ball and immediately Eliot began by putting the ball into the box for the front players with Matt H almost reaching one but the Horsford back four were firm and stood their ground. Jack came on and almost immediately provided Robbie with a peach of a pass and the Horsford keeper was quick off his line and they both went for the ball and after a short break in play both continued the game.
Horsford were still pushing for the equaliser and coming higher up the pitch at every opportunity.
The referee blew for half time and as the Mum’s and Dad’s headed for Amanda’s café for shelter and a warm drink Rocklands had defended well and Matty had kept them in the game following that great save.
Halftime: Rocklands 1 – 0 Horsford.
Rocklands when they had the ball played a good passing game but at times Horsford were making them chase the ball bypassing the mid field at times. Warmed by the tea and shelter of the club house spectators and officials made their way back to the field of play. Although Robbie was unable to continue due to a knock he got injuring his knee during the first half.
With Rocklands one up Horsford began where they left off and it took a while before Rocklands clicked into gear and when they did Joe S was on his way down the left side after receiving the ball. Joe S cut inside his man but the fullback was still sticking to him and he still had a lot to do as he was heading toward goal. Joe S held his man off and hit a low fierce shot that flew into the left corner of the goal just inside the post.
50 min: Rocklands 2 – 0 Horsford.
Horsford began to really push now but the mid field and back four were doing just enough to hold off the Horsford attack.
Matty was called into action but he was up to the cause and collected everything well and also distributed the ball well against the wind. Horsford were getting some corners into the box very well but Rocklands were clearing them. But would the corners take their toll?
Horsford drove a shot from range which appeared to be heading into the back of the net but again Matt jumped high to deny Horsford the goal. What a save! With congratulations all round Matty was having a blinder of a game.
However Horsford had another corner and this time they beat Rocklands to open the score sheet for themselves.
60 min: Rocklands 2 – 1 Horsford.
Rocklands would now need to be on their guard as trying to defend a one goal lead at any level is fraught. Could Rocklands lift themselves again? Matt H up front decided it was time and latched onto the ball and pressured the keeper and put the ball away for a goal.
70 min: Rocklands 3 – 1 Horsford.
Horsford had no option but to push higher up the pitch and apply pressure to Rocklands game and it payed off as they scored two minutes later.
72 min: Rocklands 3 – 2 Horsford.
Both sides were keen to push on and as the ball went to and fro with Horsford high up the pitch and Rocklands looking to take advantage of that fact by catching them on the break the game became tense with the minutes dwindling away.
However as the referee blew for the final whistle Rocklands had broken the hoodoo by beating Horsford, another top strong team.
Again every one played their part the mid field Joe G and Louis chasing and covering every blade of grass on the pitch to the revised back four where Joe T had once again got his troops up for the cause. The wide strong running players Steffen, Eliot and Joe S combining well with Jack, Robbie and Matt H up front but it was Matty who got Steve and Greg’s nod for MOM as the saves kept Rocklands in the game.
Although Joe T does get an award for the best buffon, having a larger quiff than Luke C aka Le Quiff.
The season is coming to a close now and it has been a pleasure to watch how Rocklands have approached this season amongst the sadness they all have taken on board the mantle and ethics of playing a particular style of football through enjoyment and going forward and back together as one. Team work at its best winning or losing, a fantastic approach to not only sport but life in general. A proud day for Mother’s day with all the Mum’s watching on.
