It’s late off the press but never the less off the press at last. Rocklands had a home game against Sprowston Hawks and both sides were fairly evenly matched in previous games but would this be the season that Rocklands would dominant Sprowston?
With suitable refreshments on board the gathering crowd waited eagerly on the side lines as Pete came out of semi - retirement to referee the game ( secretly I think he is missing the excitement) with Danny kindly running the line.
Rocklands lined up with Louis and Joe G in the middle of the park with Eliot and Steffen outside of them just in front of the back four of Ewan, Luke H, Joe T and Sam with Matty in goal. Up front Jack and Robbie. Waiting in the wings were Joe S, Luke C and Matt H.
So following a mouth full of tea a groan came from the crowd as a great move from either Jack or Robbie resulted in a bicycle kick shaving the crossbar. As I missed the move yes I know I should be watching the game at all times but I put this down to a short attention span as a child and or the hot tea in my mouth. Rocklands started at a brisk pace trying to find the passing game early on and deny the Sprowston striker the early opening goal. Joe G found the ball falling for him early on and stroked the ball toward goal only to see it float just over the crossbar.
Sprowston began to find some rhythm and exerted pressure early on but the back four were on to it quick with Joe T organising his men well, Sprowston appeared to be getting the ball quick and knocking it long and wide and then immediately back into the middle trying to find the men up front there by missing out our midfield players. Jack was at his roving best and picked up a loose ball finding Eliot who ran his man down the line then cut inside letting a rasping shot at goal go. Sprowston had a series of corners but Matt in goal was up to the task and collected everything. Rocklands attacking play was not quite coming off for them and as a result were not able to bring in the strong running attacking players as much as they usually would have liked too. Rocklands set pieces taken by Jack were again of excellent quality and right on the button into the danger zone and it was from one of these that rebounded and fell for Joe G who again hit it nicely looking to beat the keeper chipped over the Sprowston back four and with an intake of breath every one thinking it had gone in but it had again rolled over the crossbar and followed the goal netting down.
Eliot found Louis and laid the ball off well for him to run onto. Louis duly collected and fired a shot that just went wide. Again making chances when Rocklands had the ball. Sprowston regained possession and from a long range shot fired it goal ward and opening the score sheet.
29 min: Rocklands 0 – 1 Sprowston.
Rocklands were not finding the game flowing as well as it usually does for them but could they respond to the Sprowston effort?
Joe S and Matt H came on to the field of play but would they be able to cut down Sprowston’s long ball cutting out the Rocklands midfield players? It was not long before Joe S was in the game with a free kick from range and it was a superb effort but alas again it floated just over the bar dipping just too late otherwise the keeper was well beaten.
The back four were soaking up the pressure well trying to find there wide or central players but Sprowston were pressing high up the pitch and hunting the early ball down. Matt H was found as he took off toward the goal and looked to be almost in on goal but the ball didn’t quite fall right for him as the keeper came off his line quickly. As half time approached Rocklands passing game wasn’t quite finding the markers set in previous matches.
Half time Rocklands 0 – 1 Sprowston.
Would the team talk at half time provide Rocklands with the impetus to drive the game forward in their favour? Rocklands started very well with the ball at their feet and ran at the opposition with Steffen crossing really well finding Robbie but the keeper did well to save it. A free kick to Rocklands just outside the area rebounded off the wall and Joe S latched onto the ball and delivered it across the box to a diving header from Steffen again the keeper did well. Two chances in two minutes and Rocklands looked a threat from the off.
Sprowston again started to revert to pressing early and high up the pitch trying to prevent the ball from finding Rocklands strong running players. Would or could Rocklands score? Robbie thought so as he found the ball and dinked his way through players as only Robbie can do and from a really tight angle pinged the ball across the box where Matt H was marauding and headed it home for the equaliser. A really good finish and a great delivery from such a tight angle.
47 min: Rocklands 1 – 1 Sprowston.
Rocklands were back in the frame and if they keep the pressure on coupled with making the right choices could go on to win the game. But Sprowston had other ideas and kept pressing for the ball putting Rocklands on the back foot at times. Sprowston were playing what was in front of them with pressure early on when they lost the ball. This forced mistakes and free kicks to be given away in some dangerous areas but the defence of Rocklands up to this point was holding firm. Matty was collecting all before him and looked reluctant for Sprowston to score again.
The full time whistle was drawing close as both sides fought to find that winning goal but Sprowston had played possibly a not so glamorous game but it certainly was effective in forcing the mistakes and wrong choices to be made by Rocklands at times, upsetting the Rocklands usually fast flowing strong running attacking style of play.
But in the end the referee blew to end the game a draw was the final outcome to a disappointing game for Rocklands but nevertheless hard fought match for both sides.
The final few games are ahead of Rocklands as the season draws to a close so Rocklands can regroup and fight on to the end regaining some or all of the previous games form to finish strongly. The finish post is in sight so Rocklands can and are very capable to lift themselves to finish strong with composure and desire.
Belief and determination can reach far and beyond expectation.
Footnote: A friendly was played during the break versus the U14’s with the U15’s coming out on top and playing in very different positions to our normal team set up. Good fun all round.
