An away match to Thorpe Athletic was on the cards for Rocklands on a sunny but cold Sunday morning. At the home game versus Thorpe Athletic the weather was appalling and despite the loss Thorpe Athletic played with spirit to the end. Thorpe Athletic were on a run of good form winning recent games and as the lads warmed up Ewan was sitting down in the dugout looking not at his best. As it was Ewan had good reason to be looking as he did, he had just finished a night march of 18 miles on one of the coldest nights of the year and Greg who also completed the march along with Steve and his fellow caring team mates showed great sympathy towards Ewan. Not!
Charlie appeared with a very worried look and it wasn’t his knee which incidentally is becoming easier. No it was Nick I’ve lost my phone but I did promise not to say anything to Amanda so please no else mention it. It was found lying in the muddy grass and relief ensured with the zip in his pocket being done up this time. Charlie’s face of relief said it all. So with Charlie still in rehab with his knee injury and Ewan feeling he would love to be in a nice warm bed instead of sitting beside a cold football pitch Steve and Greg had Eliot back from skiing and Callum who looks as if he had grown a foot waiting in the wings for the rolling subs to begin. The lads got themselves into a huddle and whatever was said always stays in the huddle but again a sign of taking the match on as one. This was done without prompting.
Matt in goal with his dependable centre backs of Luke C and Joe T and Luke H and Sam on the outside of them. Joe G and Louis in the middle of the park with Steffen and Matt H outside of them, Jack just playing off Robbie up front. Kevin was unable to attend the match so Matt H dad kindly ran the line for Rocklands. Now thinking as this reporter does, not quite that well I may add, had a plan. I would use my phone as the timer to get accurate timings for the action so feeling chuffed with myself I pressed the start button and all was underway fabulous brilliant idea Baldrick said in my head. Yes indeed Capt. Blackadder.
Playing from right to left Rocklands began quickly and the ball was finding itself wide at every opportunity where Matt H and Steffen were bombing down the line and cutting back in putting pressure on the back four. Rockands were playing high up the pitch pressurising at every opportunity giving little time on the ball for Thorpe Athletic. The early pressure was on Thorpe Athletic and it was Robbie finding Matt H who put the shot away but the keeper was up to the challenge. And it was this early pressure that resulted in the early goal Steffen was closest to the action as the ball went into the Thorpe A net but they all count.
5 min: Rocklands 1 – 0 Thorpe Athletic.
As I glanced down at my new found stop watch feeling quite smug about the exact timing going all very well. Jack and Steffen were applying pressure high up the pitch and on the keeper. Rocklands were playing very well indeed Joe T talking and again getting the troops to find each other and cover each other. Luke C in the middle was again his cool calm collected self, scooping up the loose balls and delivering it well wide or just over the top with a delicate touch. I look forward to the new boots Luke, you have been bubbled up by your mum. Meanwhile Jack and Sam were putting some fantastic balls across the box which Matt and Robbie were doing their best converting into goals.
However Matty would be brought into play as Thorpe A had a free kick just outside the area and with the Thorpe striker just missing the connection Matty collected well. Matt first input into the game. Thorpe A again fired a shot goal ward but Matt was okay as the ball flew over the crossbar. Thorpe A was beginning to play organised football passing it well. Joe G provided a lovely pass for Steffen after some deft footwork turning his man and losing him. Louis was covering the ground cutting out the incoming Thorpe A game. Luke H collected the ball and went forward and provided a lovely pass to Jack who ran his line and found Robbie who dispatched a shot into the back of the net.
My new found time piece recorded
22 min: Rocklands 2 – 0 Thorpe A.
Following the kick off Steffen went on another splitting run after Joe G back flicked the ball through to him and he put a long range effort in that looked like it was going over the crossbar but it floated and stayed high dipping in under the cross bar but the keeper saved it well. The rolling subs began with Eliot keen to get on and although not quite as fast as he was on his skis and for the record Eliot got to 115 kph Eliot was on his way beating his man and putting his usual crosses into the danger zones.
Thorpe A however were beginning to play a well organised game with some set pieces going across the Rocklands box. Joe G put a shot goal ward but blocked on the line. As halftime approached Rocklands had the upper hand stretching Thorpe A with wide play and speed of play. Rocklands had a succession of corners all with great delivery from Eliot or Jack but Rocklands just missed the final touch to put the ball in the net.
Halftime: Rocklands 2 – 0 Thorpe A.
Rocklands had the upper hand but Thorpe A were beginning to play some organised football. Rocklands best chances were coming from the wide positions and cutting back into the centre.
Steffen began the second half as he left the first half, rapidly. Steffens afterburners had been lit and he was off down the line and crossed for Eliot to dispatch a shot which just went wide. Joe T just over the centre line took a long range shot which the Thorpe keeper collected well. Luke C turns his man well and set up the attack again for Eliot to fire a shot just passed the outside post. On the outside of the box Robbie collected the ball and fires it into the net for another goal.
50 min: Rocklands 3 – 0 Thorpe A.
Now it was at this point that my cunning plan Capt. Blackadder became unstuck as Baldrick hadn’t pressed the restart button but Luke C’s mum came to the rescue with the humble analogue watch. Joe G found himself in front of the goal and only needed to tap it in but the ball sailed over the crossbar. Steve said his face said it all thunder. Bruce mentioned Joe G owed his dad a fiver which hasn’t as yet appeared. Eliot found Robbie again who volleyed it toward goal but the keeper did well saving it. Callum had been on for a while at left back and was covering the line well not allowing his man to pass. Strong in the tackle Callum quickly got into the game finding his man well. Rocklands had another corner which Eliot put across well. Steffen rose high above his opponents and drove the header into the net.
55 min: Rocklands 4 – 0 Thorpe A.
Robbie’s turn for a corner and Louis pounced side footing it into the net.
56 min: Rocklands 5 – 0 Thorpe A.
And it was not long before another Steffen peach perfect pass to Robbie as he puts the ball away for 6.
62 min: Rocklands 6 – 0 Thorpe A.
Thorpe A were not giving up and kept playing with good spirit. Credit to them indeed. But would it be long before Rocklands put another goal in? Matty at this stage had not touched the ball and was doing light exercises to keep warm. Joe G collected the ball and found Luke H who was going forward. Eliot went on the outside and Luke H passed a great ball onto Eliot who duly found Matt H who drove inside and hit it hard and low in to the back of the net.
66 min: Rocklands 7 – 0 Thorpe A.
Matt was brought into action collecting a Thorpe A shot which he pumped forward and Sam hit the bar with the follow up Jack hits the bar as well. As the referee blew for full time Rocklands had had a good match with the simple ball winning the day. MOM was discussed and Steve and Greg had Joe T up there with another great game, Luke C , Steffen and Robbie Jack, Matt H anyone could of got it but today’s game was an overall team effort therefore MOM goes to the team of Rocklands as every one of the team members contributed greatly to the result today.
Currently I believe this puts Rocklands in first place in the league but Alysham have two games in hand one of them against Rocklands. Now we all know a certain person who would be extremely proud of how far the lads have come.
Steve and Greg kindly organised a trip to Carrow road to watch Man City v Norwich U21 for the lads and another great time was had by all. Many thanks to everyone who organised the trip as the lads really enjoy the opportunity to get together off the field.
