The sun was shining and the air was warm a strange September morning but one to look back at in about mid November. The coffee and tea was coming from Amanda's cafe once again. This being our first home game in the league Stalham made the journey to Rocklands but only having ten men were they going to struggle? Judging by the start Stalham had other ideas and immediately applied pressure. Eliot got onto the end of Ewans pass and ran toward goal and rifling in a thunderous shot but the Stalham keeper saved it well.
It wasn't long before Stalham were heading toward the Rockland goal and had pace up front together with the oil of a well drilled side they scored first.
4 min Rocklands 0 - 1 Stalham.
Stalham didn't look like they had ten men, however Rocklands were not sitting back and stuck to the game plan of playing the ball and passing it about. The defence were finding midfield who were getting Ewan and Eliot running the wide channels really very well. Louis tackling well in midfield let Joe G go forward and finding Steffen on the run with some great through balls. But it was Ewan on one of his runs finding Robbie with a well balanced pass running into the box but Robbie still had a lot to do as the angle was tight but he chipped it past the keeper how I dont know but it went into the back of the net.
8 min Rocklands 1 - 1 Stalham.
There was some excellent passing indeed in the first quarter between Ewan, Joe G and Robbie. But this wouldnt be possible without the efforts of others swapping positions and covering. Charlie and Joe T had there hands full with the pacy front players of Stalham but they wrestled the ball well from the front two for Stalham distributing well to Luke or Sam who found Eliot or Ewan. It was Steffens turn to fire the ball goalward but the keeper was on his game and palmed the ball away. Both keepers were keeping their sides in the game. The rolling subs began with Joe S coming on for Ewan. Louis picked up the ball and found Steffen who can turn and hold the ball up really very well flicked onto Robbie who in turn flicked it past the keeper.
16 min Rocklands 2 - 1 Stalham.
Stalham came back with a chance to equalise but Matty was quickly out of his area to challenge the Stalham striker and deny the goal. Sam and Luke H were clearing well with Steffen on his game with his head. He has such fantastic timing beating everyone with his head. As did Joe G one of the shortest players beating the taller players to the ball. Luke Le Quiff certainly is really very calm with the ball at his feet be it playing at centre or right back. But at this time Robbie took a knock and Jack came on and as Rocklands pushed forward we got caught on the break Matty got a hand to it but it went in.
32 min Rocklands 2 - 2 Stalham.
Luke C delivered another superb ball to Eliot who ran toward goal and Joe S just missing the cross. Rocklands possibly just losing some of their initial fluidity. Jack was now taking some set pieces and it was one of these that Louis got his head on to almost putting it inside the post. Jack was providing some tasty deliveries.
Half time. Rocklands 2 - 2 Stalham.
The second half began well with Joe S providing Steffen who was fast off the mark beating his man to place the ball past the keeper.
41 min Rocklands 3 - 2 Stalham.
The back four were working well alternating coming forward a tad at times to either deliver the ball or intercept the through ball. But a hiccup let Stalham in.
46 min Rocklands 3 - 3 Stalham.
Both teams were playing well but was the early pace of the game going to take its toll on Stalham's ten men? Robbie gets a push inside the box and the ref blows for a penalty. Robbie is on for a hat trick is he going to step up to take it? Robbie calmly puts the ball past the keeper.
48 min Rocklands 4 - 3 Stalham.
Robbie gets a well deserved hat trick. Stalham go back on attack with Matty saving the free kick. The early play appears to be coming back with Eliot powering down his wing and cutting in to shoot but hitting the post again so close. The ball rebounds out and Joe G tries to chip the keeper but he just got his hand to it. Jack from a corner finds the leaping Steffen who is high above the rest powered his header just above the crossbar. Robbie was right earlier, come on lads we need to talk and so it began again which results in a more fluid style of play.
Although Stalham only had ten men they played very well with pace and being well drilled gave Rocklands a hard game. Although mistakes are unavoidable during a game Rocklands must talk for the entire game and play Rocklands did with some superb efforts all round, Robbie's hat trick a dispaly of his silky skills and Steffen's strength not only on the ground but in the air, Jack forever hassling up front and the biting midfield with the comfortable back four and Matty. A difficult M.O.M but Steve decided on Joe G. Well done Rocklands a win at home.
