A long awaited home game against Thorpe St Andrews was the order of the day as the sun made an unusual appearance earlier in the morning, this however wasn’t to last long as a cold wind greeted the spectators and the sun disappeared behind the low grey cloud. However all was not lost as Amanda’s Café had hot tea and coffee at the ready and as Steve had his usual cuppa delivered in what appeared to be a my little pink pony flask. We suspect the allure of warm tea kept the pink flask firmly in Steve’s hand.
Rocklands played Thorpe last season and caved in with the score almost reaching double figures along with playing them in this season’s cup round losing 2-0 was history to repeat itself? Robbie for one was not keen on losing as he had some school pals up against him. Thorpe have one excellent player who is dangerous from any angle, would Rocklands be able to contain him?
Rocklands lined up with Joe S still not feeling 100% but he wanted to be there despite being unwell for the previous week. Eliot still away on holiday Jack and Joe S waited in the wings for the rolling subs to begin. Matt in goal and the strong back four of Luke C and Joe T in the middle with Luke H and Sam on the outside. Ewan and Steffen out wide along with Joe G and Louis in the middle leaving Robbie and Matt H up front. Normal service resumed with Pete referring and Kevin running the line.
As Steve sipped his tea from the pink flask Rocklands started strongly from the off as did Thorpe who were trying to find their danger man but Luke H was on him at every opportunity and put in some of his usual strong but fair tackles just to let him know that he wouldn’t be getting much change from him today. Although Thorpe looked dangerous with the ball they weren’t penetrating the centre pairing of Luke C and Joe T who again was vocal in leading the troops.
But it was Rocklands who created the first chance with three or four minutes on the clock with Steffen flying down the side beating his opposite and the full back to cross finding Matt H who fired to the corner of the goal but the keeper did well to push it round the post for a corner. Rocklands were creating chances either down the flanks or through the middle. Thorpe however were gaining some flow to their game and Matt did very well powering out of his area and punching it clear, a commanding presence from Matt.
Rocklands were at times playing on scraps as Thorpe had a purple patch. Thorpe were passing that bit better playing with their head up, Rocklands were losing the ball by miss passes which occurred mainly by not looking up or where the pass was going to go. Rocklands lads turned the corner by beginning to string passages of play together as they had done at the kick off. Rocklands had to pressurise the back four and the keeper as they had earlier as Thorpe looked a bit susceptible at the back. But it was Thorpe who had another free kick and Matt would have to be alert but the ball sailed over the bar.
Rocklands began to ascend again with Steffen again finding Matt H who just headed wide chances were there. Another attack by Rocklands and Robbie found Steffen who again switched it back and the persistence of Robbie found Matt H who found the back of the net.
15 mins: Rocklands 1 – 0 Thorpe St Andrew.
Thorpe pushed hard from the kick off and as a result a Thorpe shot hit the post and rebounded off Rocklands for an own goal.
16 mins: Rocklands 1 – 1 Thorpe St Andrew.
It was Rocklands turn from the kick off to apply the pressure and Robbie’s free kick the Thorpe keeper fumbles the ball with Rocklands chasing the loose ball. Louis and Joe G were chasing down every ball in the middle of the park and trying to break the Thorpe play up. It was from a disruption in the Thorpe attack Luke C collected and turned his man and found Ewan who beat his man and found Joe G feeding Steffen who dinked it through finding Robbie who promptly put it past the keeper, Thorpe’s back four and keeper did not look comfortable under pressure.
27 min: Rocklands 2 – 1 Thorpe St Andrew.
Both Ewan and Steffen were beating their opposite numbers and Rocklands kept the pressure up as did Thorpe although Thorpe were finding it difficult, Luke H was keeping a close eye on the Thorpe key player. Matty was collecting and clearing the ball well and kept his area under control. Sam was showing his man the line and standing him well with only some Thorpe crosses making it across the box. Rocklands centre backs Luke C and Joe T were busy today but making ground to block or intercept the pass.
With Rocklands switching back to attack following a defensive mix up by Thorpe saw Joe G putting a shot away but the keeper collected, it appeared offside but spectators couldn’t see a flag but the ref had spotted it but let play flow as Thorpe had the ball in hand. Ewan was pressing the afterburners and after beating his man supplied a great cross for Matt H to thump it goal ward only for it to hit the crossbar and bounce out. The ball didn’t cross the line but it was a terrific passage of play. It was Steffens turn to press forward and once again found Robbie but the Thorpe defence were up to blocking it. Half time was approaching as a Thorpe cross flew across the box with all missing it only for it to fall to the Thorpe danger man who thumped into the back of the net, only if a foot had been put through it but on the stroke of half time it was even.
Half time: Rocklands 2 – 2 Thorpe St Andrew.
Both sides playing attacking football but Rocklands playing better as a team and have created more chances overall.
Rocklands began the second half where they left off applying the early pressure and with Joe G off following getting yet another ball to the head, Ewan moved into midfield. The action started early after a great spot by Matty that Robbie was unmarked and the following long clearance by Matty finding Robbie he headed goal ward with the Thorpe keeper coming out both went for the 50/50.
Thorpe had been awarded a free kick in a dangerous area, the back four and Matty would have to be on high alert. However all was in vain as the ball flew over the crossbar. The goal kick found Steffen who again pushed the Go faster baby button and beat his man and crossed for Robbie for it just to go wide. Jack regained the clearance and slid the ball through to Robbie but the back four were onto him clearing their lines well. Thorpe were back on the attack and with Sam tracking his man well the Thorpe danger man found Luke H breathing down on him as he made another fantastic tackle.
As the game swung to and fro who would score next and would that be the decider? Robbie had a great shot on target again that came out from the goal mouth only to find Jack lurking who promptly hit it into the back of the net for a well-deserved reward for the miles and pressure he has been putting in against not only Thorpe but every team he has played against. He was duly mobbed and congratulated by every team member but Rockland supporters also echoed the team’s thoughts.
55 min: Rocklands 3 – 2 Thorpe.
Thorpe bounced back right from the kick off and Rocklands were absorbing some pressure now but the Rocklands back four were soaking it up and denying Thorpe but the Thorpe back four always looked under pressure when attacked, could Rocklands make this count? Thorpe crossed the ball and an easy header into the net made the game even again.
65 mins: Rocklands 3 – 3 Thorpe.
Joe S made an entry into the game and bearing in mind he was not feeling well made an immediate impact as he beat his man and came back in towards the centre driving his shot low and hard past the keeper. Not bad for someone who wasn’t feeling 100%.
70 mins: Rocklands 4 – 3 Thorpe.
Rocklands were digging in for the last 10 mins of the game to score again and defend the Thorpe attack but was Thorpe fading slightly? They appeared to be as Rocklands found their passing game and played with the same intensity as they had from the start. Robbie flicks the shot just over the crossbar again beating the centre backs of Thorpe with his deft footwork. Jack had a one on one with the keeper which on another day may have ended differently. Rocklands were still pressing for the goal. Although Thorpe were still a threat when they had the ball and it was in the dying minutes Thorpe poked the ball in after Rocklands couldn’t clear their lines.
78 mins: Rocklands 4 – 4 Thorpe.
And there the game ended some would say a fair result but the lads came off saying we should have won that game which in itself is a good sign as they are reflecting as a team and that says a lot about Rocklands U15’s.
Once again the MOM was discussed on the line and with Steve and Greg and again any number of players could have scooped it. Ewan for his effort and work in the middle of the park Jack for his hustle and bustle pressure, Steffen for again his vision and hard running linking with Robbie and Robbie’s deft foot work beating his school pals every time. Any of the back four and that’s where Steve and Greg announced Luke H as MOM keeping the Thorpe danger man at bay and at times in his pocket so much so the danger man attempted to play in different position on the pitch.
Once again the lads came off chatting about how they would have done certain things differently and they should have won that game. But they battled at times and then produced at times some great passing football playing with belief. The team’s solidarity shone through when Jack scored, that in itself was worth watching the game.
