Once again Rocklands parents were in the confines of Amanda’s café greeted by warm tea and coffee mixed with Christmas chocolate log and mince pies. The once again wind dropping the temperature to a real feel of 1 to 3 degrees. Rocklands have to bounce back after last week’s loss to Horsford and with similar conditions apart from the pitch being firmer allowing the ball to skip over the greenery a bit quicker would they be able to pull off the victory?
With suitable attire and warmed by tea and cakes the spectators begrudgingly left the warmth of Amanda’s café to cheer the lads on although Pete and family were off to Colorado for Christmas where the current temperature is minus 16 so we counted ourselves lucky that conditions were not that cold. Steve and Greg had gone for Robbie and Steffen up front with Louis and Joe G centre mid and Ewan out wide with Eliot on the other side. Joe S was struck by the dreaded winter lurgy and unable to play, we wish him a speedy recovery and a happy Christmas. However Luke C and Joe T took centre back with Sam and Luke H playing outside of them. Ever dependable Matt in goal and with the wind blowing right to left the referee blew to start the game with Rocklands kicking off and immediately sending Eliot charging forward down his wing.
Jack and Charlie were waiting in the wings for the rolling subs to commence. Already Rocklands had started quickly distributing the ball well but Spixworth were just as good at passing the ball about trying to use the benefit of the wind early on by the long ball over the top. The back four would have to judge the bounce and get to the ball first. Steffen and Eliot were running at Spixworth and already beginning to cause problems to the Spixworth defence and it was one of the early attacks where Sam crossing to perfection found Robbie who unleashed a spectacular bicycle kick just going over the bar.
Louis was taking the set pieces well as Luke H on one of his forward forays headed the ball goal ward but the keeper was up to speed and collected well. The Spixworth keeper was clearing well with his kicks landing at times over the halfway line. Again Rocklands defence had to be alert to this. The early passages of play had Rocklands ahead looking for the goal and soon it was Sam again who had taken the ball up field and found Robbie who duly flicked it onto the forward running Steffen who then cut to his left then back onto his right and powered his shot on the angle low and hard past the keeper.
6 mins: Rocklands 1 – 0 Spixworth.
Joe T and Luke C were calm and collected most of the forward play of Spixworth and began play again by finding either Sam or Luke H out wide. Spixworth won a corner and with the wind Rocklands had to be on their toes. However I think even Petr Cech would not have saved the ball as it hit the top far corner and fell into the back of the net.
9 mins: Rocklands 1 – 1 Spixworth.
Rocklands restarted the game with Steffen and Ewan linking up well beating the man down the line with speed and the passing of the ball. Steffen thundering down the wing or centre was proving a handful but the Spixworth keeper was playing well denying Steffens hard driving shots. Louis and Joe G were breaking up play well halting or slowing down Spixworth’s advances. Again the Spixworth keeper was clearing well either with the foot or throwing of the ball. From one of these throws Spixworth were on the break and in on goal but for Joe T to put in a superb sliding tackle with perfect timing denying and halting the attack. Bruce had to admit that it was a great tackle and the majority of the crowd were sure that was worth at least £2.50! Bruce had other ideas, sorry Joe T we tried! The ball again went wide and found Robbie who dispatched his shot well but the keeper again collected it well. Almost immediately Steffen unleashed a shot that zinged past the post and from the restart Steffen again found Robbie whose shot just went over the bar. Rocklands were creating chances but just needed to convert them.
Spixworth had other ideas and broke again with a one on one, Matt was on his guard. Joe T again came across to deny Spixworth from scoring. Joe G cut out a pass and went forward passing the ball to Eliot gaining pace down the left side who in turn provided a delightful ball for Steffen who was out of the blocks fast and again drove the ball low and direct into the net.
30 min: Rocklands 2 – 1 Spixworth.
Following the kick off Luke H took a bang to the head and came off for assessment by Greg and Steve. Charlie moved to centre back with Luke C moving to cover right back. A versatile composed player indeed is Luke C. The rolling subs began with Jack coming on for Robbie and started work immediately closing down players putting pressure on the opposition. Eliot collected the ball and cut back inside to the centre of the park and weaved his way through Spixworth over the halfway line and again found Steffen who went forward and with the approaching keeper attempted to chip him but the keeper did well to deny Steffen.
Spixworth had a free kick within striking distance and Matt may have to be drawn into action he was on his toes ready. Matt collected the ball and cleared it well with Joe G threading the ball to Ewan who again beat his man and found Steffen unleashing his shot again the ball just fizzing past the post.
Half time: Rocklands 2 – 1 Spixworth.
Rocklands could have had 2 or 3 extra goals but the ball just wasn’t falling right for them. Spixworth keeper was keeping them in the game as was the strong passing midfield player in the Spixworth team. However as it was Christmas Sarah opened a box of rocky road home made as well. There was not a lot left as the compliments flowed around Sarah’s rocky road but Kev maintained that as his body was a temple he was not going to be swayed by such temptation.
Craig and Bruce were thinking about the weekly quote firing ideas off each other and as this was happening from a set piece Luke H headed the ball home (that goal attributed to Luke H).
60 min: Rocklands 3 – 1 Spixworth.
Eliot again was on the rampage after Sam sent him forward with a one on one with the keeper but the angle was tight as Eliot came in and hit the ball hard low but the keeper retained the ball. Rocklands won a free kick out on the right side and Louis delivered the ball into the mix but it was Joe G who was at the back of the play connected well with his head but headed the ball down and goal ward but it was cut out denying Joe G his first goal of the season. Jack was working his socks off up front chasing every loose ball, if any two members of the team would love to score it would be those two.
Spixworth had another chance on goal with a free kick that was struck very well but the post got in the way and Rocklands cleared their lines. Steffen responded with a rasping shot slamming into the post. Rocklands were playing well finding players behind them such as Sam who promptly put the ball back into the mix. Luke H headed just wide of the post after Jack put a great ball across.
Rocklands won a free kick although out from the goal quite a bit Steffen lined up for a crack or so we thought, Steffen delivered an excellent ball in at speed and a difficult height. Jack headed it towards goal only for the keeper to push the ball out where Robbie pounced and sent the ball into the back of the net.
70 mins: Rocklands 4 – 1 Spixworth.
Spixworth were not giving up though and continued to play a good passing game but Robbie was off again heading wide and turned his man but delivered the ball across the box where Louis was coming in to side foot the ball into the net past the Spixworth keeper.
75 min: Rocklands 5 – 1 Spixworth.
Rocklands were launching their attacks from either the midfield or finding the left and right backs to bring the ball up the field which they did with good intention and purpose finding the player or picking out a free player. Rocklands were putting the pressure on and were looking comfortable as Luke C had moved from centre back right back to centre mid field and playing with such calmness and composure in all positions. Spixworth play a good style of football in an excellent manner.
The organisation and shape remained intact throughout the game, Rocklands were getting back to their best. As the referee blew for full time talk moved to who would be MOM. Luke H and Sam defending well and delivering some great balls into the middle. Eliot, Ewan and Steffen strong running, Robbie and Jack for a tireless performance. But Steve and Greg plumped for Steffen showing what he is good at getting into the position to score assist others but it was close as Luke C was excellent in all positions.
In all, an excellent response to last week’s loss with a great performance by all team members. Chocolates were around post game and Christmas congratulations to all as I know some team members are off on holiday and others staying closer to home but to one and all a big thank you to the Mum’s and Dad’s that transport the lads about Norfolk on some inclement weather Sundays. We have had a great start to the season with the arrival of Jack, Robbie, Steffen, Luke C and Matt H they have brought speed and skill and thought to the team but have fitted in like a warm coat on a cold Sunday morning. If I have forgotten anyone apologies but to all enjoy Christmas and many thanks go to Steve aka Jose and Greg aka Arsene for guiding the lads to play football but more importantly enjoy playing football.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
