As the season draws to a close and the leading teams jostle for position at the top aiming for promotion, Rocklands are in the mix and today’s game against Sprowston would be decisive if Rocklands wanted to be in for a shot at the title.
After last week’s game against Thorpe where the result found me having a celebratory beer waiting on the side of the road for Bradley Wiggins to ride past along the farmer’s cobbled roads on the French Belgium border. Danny kindly wrote up the report and a fine report it was after a hard fought game where the lads made everyone proud by digging deep and playing great football.
Danny and I would like to be now known as the paparazzi of Sunday football and possible candidates for MoD2?
At home Sprowston gave us a hard game where they played well organised direct style of football playing to get the ball quickly to the front lads of Sprowston which in effect cut our middle men out of the game to a degree. Although the result was a hard fought draw, we really didn’t take the limited chances that came to us. Would today be any different?, and after Tuesday’s practice where Steve joined the lad’s on the pitch and scored a left foot screamer of a volley just after the bicycle kick spirits were high.
Sprowston lined up in orange playing from left to right. Steve got the lads to play in a diamond shape to avoid the direct long ball and with Sam on his Duke of E Joe T and the ever growing quiff lined up on the left side of the back four which consisted of Joe S and Luke C in the middle and Luke H on the outside with Joe G sitting just in front and just behind the wide players of Eliot and Ewan. Louis sat behind Robbie and Steffen up front and ever dependable Matt waiting between the sticks. Jack and Matt H waited in the wings.
Rocklands started well passing in triangles as they made their way up the pitch but Sprowston were hustling high up the pitch playing the game with energy and commitment. Sprowston put a couple of early shots across Matt’s bow but he was up to the task and his hands did the talking. Rocklands were taking what they had done in practice into the game passing in triangles around the Sprowston players which is what the Sprowston coach did not want as before the game he told his lads that Rocklands will pass the ball round you every time.
Eliot was having some fine strong runs on the outside cutting back in at times which he can do so well at pace and as we know Eliot has a hell of a shot on him when required from any angle. Ewan was providing the speed and bite on the other side and Steffen was finding the front to his liking as he put his usual marauding runs about just letting the Sprowston back four know that they were not in for an easy day. Robbie was dragging opposition players all over the place as only Robbie can do.
But as Sprowston tried to put the ball through to the strikers it was Luke C and Joe S following on from a great performance last week again stopping the attack and clearing well either with the foot or the head. It was fairly even at this early point with both teams battling away with their respective styles of play making for a tight game so far. Sprowston had the first corner but headed it wide. Rocklands first corner came soon after and Robbie put a lovely ball over which skimmed the crossbar and fell nicely for Ewan to put the header goal ward but it just popped over the crossbar.
However it was the dynamic duo that opened the score line and no it wasn’t Batman and Robin or Del boy and Rodney running through the streets of Peckham. Steffen off on a run after Ewan popped the ball through to him and Steffen found Robbie perfectly with the cross who struck it first time low and hard into the net to open the score line.
25 min: Rocklands 1 – 0 Sprowston.
Sprowston countered with a long range effort but once again Matt scooped the shot up and cleared the danger. It wasn’t long before Steffen decided he would like to be on the score sheet and Ewan duly obliged by flicking the ball on for Steffen who lifted the ball beyond the keeper.
30 min: Rocklands 2 – 0 Sprowston.
Matt H came on for Louis who had worked hard behind the dynamic duo. Sprowston again had another long range shot saved again by Matt. Sprowston were hoping for a break through and almost got it when through on goal from a ball over the top but Joe G and Joe T slowed progress and did enough to put the Sprowston strikers off but did Matt get a hand to it for the corner? A tight call but Sprowston had the rub of the green at the minute. Rocklands were not getting a lot of the calls going their way. Robbie came off for a breather and Jack resumed his hustling game immediately.
Sprowston got a free kick just outside the box but the defence held well and cleared the danger. Joe S was winning the air and the ground battle as was Luke C who made time turning his man and finding his wide or central players. Luke H on the outside kept the striker at bay despite his quick feet. Joe T was directing his troops well. However just on the stroke of half time, Sprowston poked the ball into the goal to put them onto the score sheet.
Halftime: Rocklands 2 – 1 Sprowston.
Not an easy half for both sides but Rocklands took their chances well therefore just edging it.
Rocklands were playing downhill now as the pitch had a slight slope on it. Sprowston began the half in their well organised direct way but it was Rocklands who had the early opportunities and after a strong run from Eliot who crossed the ball finding Steffen whose forceful shot was pushed around the post for a corner. Jack provided a lovely delivery from the corner but Rocklands missed the chance for a header.
But again Rocklands countered from the back four cutting out another attack and pushing the ball wide finding Steffen who tore up the pitch and popped the ball across to Robbie who hit it first time past the keeper a well taken shot indeed. The dynamic duo strike again.
55 min: Rocklands 3 – 1 Sprowston.
Rocklands were not getting a lot from the referee and conceded another free kick but Matt again protected his goal well together with good clearance balls. Joe G and Louis were chasing the ball at every opportunity blocking and interrupting play whenever possible. Luke H had the striker at bay now and slowed the Sprowston attack. Rocklands were beginning to find their fluidity again and Luke H turned provider by putting a great ball across the park finding Steffen who again turned his man inside and out and firing the shot just over the crossbar. Rocklands now were providing the ball more directly to the front men as Sprowston pushed higher up the pitch.
Robbie and Steffen were deemed offside but they were not involved in the play at the time so could not be considered offside. Robbie sat on the shoulder of the defender therefore again not offside. A frustrating time for Rocklands frontmen.
Sprowston had a late charge with corners being awarded but Rocklands stood firm to the end as the referee blew to end the game. Rocklands had played a difficult game well and taken their chances when they arose. Everyone battled to the end with both sides playing differing styles at times cancelled each other out but Rocklands had dealt with a difficult game well.
Steve had a hard decision with MOM; Joe S was again dominant in the back four as was Luke C who my pundits put forward. Steffen again had a great game taking his goal well and supplying others. Every team member did the job Steve asked of them which makes the decision that much harder. But it was Robbie who Steve choose for taking his chances when he did and his movement around the pitch.
With two games left Rocklands have to stay focused to the end. Complete the season as they started it and remember why this season was an important one for Rocklands. All through the season so far every one of the lads have played with belief and more importantly have played for each other, supported each other and enjoyed playing football. Focus and belief to the end.
