The league matches resume following Rocklands exit from the cup last week but as we had missed two league games Rocklands had slipped down the ladder, but could they climb up a few rungs of the ladder? The ref passed the pitch fit to play as the rain continued to fall but being inside Amanda's cafe kept us dry and warm as the teams warmed up. The Rockland dad's paraded their Movember moustaches as they had a pre match disscussion on the outcome of todays game. Although Pete did mention that Sarah questioned why he wants to look like a 70's Sweeney extra which we thought was a little harsh and at least Pete should be Jack Regan. Apologies to the younger members but our age is now showing, remembering television shows such as The Sweeney.
The rain again was not helping the reporting as pen and paper was not working however Robbies mum came to the rescue with an excellent idea of using the mobile phone and that would have been an excellent idea had this reporter the knowledge to use the actual phone itself. But it came together with another idea of using the video recorder as a vocal recording. An excellent idea which I just managed. As I got use to the workings of a phone Kev had donned wet weather gear to run the line, quite large puddles had developed by now but the ref blew to start the game with Rocklands playing right to left and with Steve and Greg changing the formation with three up front and the two fullbacks playing like wing backs getting forward. Jose and Arsene watched as Rocklands began to press early and high mixed with playing the ball wide at every opportunity. Matt in goal with Luke C and Joe S centre backs and Luke H with Sam on the outside. Joe G and Louis in the middle along with wide players Ewan and Joe T. Steffen, Matt H and Robbie up front.
A lot of the ball was being played in Rocklands half with Rocklands asserting the early pressure and it wasn't long before it payed off as Steffen collected a great ball from Sam and pushed it past the keeper.
5 mins : Rocklands 1 - 0 Thorpe.
Rocklands collected the kick off and drove forward again winning a corner which Joe T put across into the danger zone and who was there, Robbie who again poked it past the keeper.
8 mins: Rocklands 2 - 0 Thorpe.
Joe T and Matt H playing wide and running there opposite's down the line and putting some great crosses in. Joe G and Louis were controlling the midfield very well and finding the wide and front players. What ever got through Joe S and Luke C scooped up and cleared. Another good centre back pairing evolving. At this stage Matt hasn't touched the ball yet and how cold must of he been? However back at the other end Ewan had a shot but the keeper collected. Jose and Arsene's plan was coming off with some delightful football being acclaimed by the now rainsoaked spectators. One of the real benefit Rocklands have I believe is the ability of players to play in different positions and as we know some great teams are built on this, The All Blacks spring to mind where it does not matter if your a prop there is no reason why you shouldn't be thundering down the wing or collecting a high ball. A variety of skill sets by the one person always an excellent base to build on. But we digress and back to the game as Robbie collects on the edge of the box on the right side and turns his man and chips the keeper with the ball going into the top left hand corner. However as Robbie ran over to lift the crowd his Mum and Dad missed a most delicate well timed goal.
20 mins: Rocklands 3 - 0 Thorpe.
At this point Matt makes his first save and his kick to resume play finds Matt H and Steffen who feeds Matt H but the Thorpe defence cleared well. Ewan put some lovely crosses in just missing everyone, Joe G was shutting down and tackling well with Louis delivering the ball wide to the speed merchants. As Thorpe cleared Joe G put the ball back into the danger zone. By now the pitch was getting very wet with the ball becoming stuck either in the mud or the puddles. Steffen was back running to his best beating his man and crossing towards the charging Matt H who drove the ball into the net.
30 mins: Rocklands 4 - 0 Thorpe.
The wing backs were playing well and confidently. Another corner by Joe T finds Ewan who hits the cross bar from 2 yards out. Corners were being put across really very well by Joe T, Joe S and Eliot. Louis caught one and headed it just over the bar. Thorpe went forward but Luke intercepted it and went for a corner. Matt made his second save and cleared it again past the halfway line, he has really got his kicking boots on today. Thorpe began to get back into the game despite being four down, still battling to the end. Steffen got a bang on the knee but still manages to beat everyone to the ball again. How the lads on the touchline kept warm I dont know. The Thorpe keeper was preventing further goals by making some excellent saves from the marauding front three. The pitch was affecting both teams with the ball not rolling as it should. Joe G got a bang on the ankle tackling his opposite number and came off for a bit of recovery time.
Although Rocklands were still dominating play although an element of the fluidity had just faded a tad. But it wasn't long before the silky skills of Robbie had found Ewan again who duly dispatched the ball into the back of the net.
Half Time: Rocklands 5 - 0 Thorpe.
Rocklands head for the changing rooms as the crowd head back for tea and coffee within the confines of Amandas cafe. Hot choc and tea for the lads waiting to come back on as the second half commences. A charging forward running Matt H picks his shot and finds the back of the net.
50 mins: Rocklands 6 - 0 Thorpe.
Steffen latches onto another loose ball and delivers Matt H a peach of a pass which Matt H cuts inside his man and struck his shot weighted just perfectly into the back of the net.
55 mins: Rocklands 7 - 0 Thorpe.
A hat trick for Matt, well done. It was at this point that the Thorpe linesman slipped in the mud and sought refugee in the clubhouse. Steffen's dad took over running the line despite the Spurs comments from the line. Rocklands were playing well finding each other with some excellent unselfish play at times. Eliot took a thundering shot outside the area which the keeper saved. Luke H was finding his way forward and sliding in to just miss the ball in front of goal. Matt in goal was doing little runs around his goal mouth trying to stay warm. Eliot was running strongly from the middle to the outside finding the outside man but the Thorpe defence were holding strong. But again it was Matt H beating his man for the goal tally of four.
65 mins: Rocklands 8 - 0 Thorpe.
Thorpe were still battling well despite the goal tally against them. Rocklands were still pushing forward hard and it was Matt H supplying the ball for Robbie to push it past the keeper.
70 mins: Rocklands 9 - 0 Thorpe.
A hat trick to Robbie although his Mum and Dad only saw two which must mean double money for the goal fund Robbie. Well done Robbie.
Eliot was again charging down the middle and volleyed a shot past the keeper to get himself on the score sheet.
73 mins: Rocklands 10 - 0 Thorpe.
The Thorpe keeper and defence were not giving up and continued to try and keep out the marauding Rocklands forwards and the stalking Luke H trying to find his first goal of the season. Rocklands had a free kick just outside the box which Luke stepped up to take but the Thorpe wall held firm. However with the rebound Joe S produced a bicycle kick which was fantastic and just shaved the post such a shame it didnt go in. By now Charlie was up front getting covered in mud and the collective thought was Amanda's new car being covered in mud. The stalking Luke H finds Ewan just outside the area who slotted it just over the crossbar. Robbie hits the bar and in the disruption Luke pounces and thunders in a shot from as Bruce reports 30 yds minus 29 into the back of the net.
75 Mins: Rocklands 11 - 0 Thorpe.
Craig Luke H's dad replied with that one does not count toward the goal for money fund but it did go in the net from Luke so any problems please report back. Joe G was back at centre back as Matt was still lapping his area to keep warm. Rocklands were pushing forward leaving only two backs defending the line but by now the pitch was tackling both sides with wet muddy patches. Matt was called into action with a long range strike but he collected well and again cleared the halfway line. Joe S was running the wide channel and crossing well but Rocklands were looking for more goals with another great cross by Ewan just missing everyone.
It was at this stage that spectators were talking about how the lads were maintaining an unselfish passing game where as maybe they could all become individuals to get the goals but it is testament to the ground work and ethos layed down by Rob and Steve and now by Greg that this comes about and what a credit it is to watch that style of play.
It was Sam's turn at distance to have a shot again a fine shot just shaving the post. Steffen was finding the crosses to put into the box but Rocklands just missing by a whisker.
Joe S put a corner over finding Louis who heads it home for another.
80 mins: 12 - 0 Thorpe.
Despite the conditions both sides played good football and although Thorpe lost today they should go home with their heads held high as they did not at any stage give up or resort to cynical tactics. Top marks for Thorpe being excellent sportsmen in adverse conditions. Jose and Arsene changed the team shape through out the game which will give the lads various plans and shape to play and counter other sides style and tactics.
However the biggest bonus and it has not gone unnoticed is the unselfish style of play that the team has adopted all the way from the start to the end of the game and that stems from the work Rob and Steve and now Greg have layed down.
M.O.M could have been any number of players, Luke C fro being Mr calm on the ball, Steffen for his hard running and work rate and creativity or Robbie for his silky skills. Joe S for being every where and a splendid bicycle kick. The midfield and back four Matt in goal, anyone could have got it today such is the team work and ethos for each other but Steve and Greg decided that it was Matt H who got the M.O.M. He took his goals really well, found others at every opportunity.
Rob would have loved that game not because of the score line but how Rocklands played for each other and the style of play. So we can bathe in glory with the score line but bathe in deeper glory of how Rocklands played.
