As the fog slowly cleared Thorpe arrived to play Rocklands in the second round of the cup and as the pitches were full the U15's played on the adjoining pitch. Steffens Mum had the envious job of coming to the rescue before play started to clear the dreaded dog mess found in the middle of the pitch. Well done on a not so nice job.
Bruce recountered the last time we meet Thorpe and thought capitulated came to his mind but would this happen again? So after the hot cup of tea we moved pitchside Kev was running the line as the ref blew to start the game and Rocklands playing from left to right began by pushing the ball wide and running the outside channels. With Matt in goal and Luke, Charlie, Joe S and Joe T in front of him Rocklands were weary of the Thorpe striker from the the last encounter. Rocklands began well with Joe T finding Steffen on the run and cut back to put the ball into Robbie waiting up front who duly unleashed a shot on goal but the keeper was up to the task. Although the Thorpe keeper lacked height he appeared to be very mobile and quick off his line.
Luke began well tackling hard but fair and he kept the Thorpe dangerman clear of goal creating opportunity's. Thorpe had a couple of shots on goal but they went wide of the posts. Joe G and Steffen linked well to provide some left sided runs and found holes in the Thorpe defence. Louis and Joe G were again breaking up play and trying to find the Rocklands front men and it was one of these runs that found Robbie who in turn delivered to Ewan who was heading for the goal but Thorpe did well too cover. Both sides created chances and could have scored early goals with Rocklands just pinching it with some more clear cut chances.
The rolling subs began with Sam on for Steffen and Matt H on for Ewan. Thorpe had a free kick and took a chance but it ended going wide. Eliot on a run and cut back in for the shot but the ball just going wide of the post. Jack came on for Robbie and with a lot of the play from the left side it was the right side's turn as Joe G found Eliot who went from the outside to the middle and beat the keeper with a low shot but it didn't count as the flag was up with the linesman flagging for offside.
Matt was quick off the line and his kicking from the ground or out of hand was excellent, he collected everything before him. At the other end Matt H held the ball up very well and found Jack who hit it goalward but the keeper was stopping the shots of Jack, Robbie and Steffen. Eliot once again beat his man and cut the ball back towards the penalty spot where Louis found the cross and volleyed it toward goal, again the Thorpe keeper denied Rocklands.
Half time Rocklands 0 - 0 Thorpe.
It was at this point that Dan produced some delightful home made snacks now the debate is, did Dan don an apron? As we enjoyed The Great Rocklands Bake Off products with our tea and coffee it was decided that Rocklands could of had a couple of goals in the first half.
Rocklands again began strongly with Steffen running well and just brushing the post with a shot Thorpe followed with attempts at goal but Charlie and Joe S at the back were clearing up well and Joe S in particular reading the game well and covering the quicker Thorpe players well.
The ball went back up the field towards Thorpe's goal and Robbie's shot of chipping the keeper just rising over the bar. Again Thorpe attacked but Matt was up to the task and saved well. Rocklands were just begining to lose a touch of the fluidity of the game with Thorpe managing to bypass Louis and Joe G at times by passing wide. But the backline were playing well and kept Thorpe at bay. Charlie and Joe S along with Sam and Luke were earning there money today. Joe T at this time had to leave the field of play due to injury, tweaked his neck.
Rocklands touch and rub of the green were just off the boil. Thorpe capitalised on this and poked the ball into the Rocklands net.
75 mins: Rocklands 0 - 1 Thorpe.
Rocklands were putting some pressure on themselves at times but Matt H held the ball up well and tried to find Robbie but it just wouldn't fall quite right for him. But just before the final whistle Thorpe again poked the ball into the net.
80 mins: Rocklands 0 - 2 Thorpe.
Today the ball just didn't fall quite right for Rocklands and we shouldn't expect to win all our games but as we are now out off the cup we can concentrate on the league. Judging by the lads body language as they walked off I think they thought they could have won the game which on another day they may well of won. Steve decleared M.O.M was Joe S for his reading of the game, decision making and covering. Joe S used his attributes well today strength speed and his footballing brain helped the team immensely. Luke kept Thorpes best player under control until he swapped sides and made some great tackles. So lets regroup and learn from the loss but continue to play with the speed and freedom that we know we have and have played like it. Just adjust the touch and weight on the ball and continue to play for each other but most of all enjoy playing football.
