A very gusty wind blew as the referree started the game with Rocklands playing right to left. Steve had to make some adjustments to the team as some players were on holiday. Toftwood began the stronger by pressing early and getting forward with the ball at every opportunity. However it was not long before Toftwoods pressure payed off and a defensive error got Toftwood on the score sheet.
5 mins - Toftwood 1 - 0 Rocklands.
This seemed to kick start the lads as Eliot running down his line beating his man and crossing the ball into the box but everyone just missed the ball as it passed by. Toftwood had another shot which rose over the bar leaving Matty with a goal kick. Steffen was being marked closely by the Toftwood defence but lost his man on one of his strong runs, this resulted in a corner to Rocklands.
Louis stepped up to take the corner and floated it in well considering the conditions Steffen lost his marker and leapt high to head the ball into the Toftwood net.
10 mins - Toftwood 1 -1 Rocklands.
Toftwood have a free kick within range and Matty had to be alert. Matty collected it well but the wind is playing its part in the game. Eliot going forward used the wind well trying to find the back of the net with a shot. But Toftwood hit back with a shot that hit the post. Eliot and Ewan swap positions but Rocklands were not challenging for the first ball higher up the pitch.
The back four were earning there money today with Toftwood attacking again. But Robbie has lost man and crossed the ball to Ewan running in but Ewan just pushed it wide of the post. Rocklands were getting into the game more as the rolling subs began with Luke C coming on for Ewan.
Steffen provided another good cross which just scooted past the Rocklands front two boots. Steffen cracked a shot to goal but the keeper made a great save. Robbie was on the attack again collecting a high ball and flicking it just over the bar. Callum came on for Matt H and Steffen moved into the mid centre of the park and Eliot moving to the left. Charlie was blocking everything coming his way. Steffen had a free kick which just went past the post.
Halftime Toftwood 1 - 1 Rocklands.
Overall Toftwood just pinched the first half with Rocklands getting into the game more as it goes on.
Rocklands would have to play against the wind in the second half and had they done enough? Only the second half would tell.
Eliot began strongly again running with the ball crossing just missing Robbie. Luke had the centre back position under control with Matty making a good sliding save as Toftwood used the wind well. Again Toftwood hit the post but Matty scooped up the rebound well. But Ewan was back on and drove forward with a good delivery finding a leaping Steffen who just put it wide. However it was Toftwood who capitilised on a defensive error and tapped it in past Matty.
65 min Toftwood 2 - 1 Rocklands.
It wasn't long before Rocklands were caught napping with the throw in from Toftwood finding the Toftwood striker inside the box again tapping it past Matty.
70 min Toftwood 3 - 1 Rocklands.
It wasn't long before Toftwood took advantage again and slotted the ball into the Rocklands net.
75 min Toftwood 4 - 1 Rocklands.
In the dying minutes of the game from a Toftwood corner Matty had collected the ball but was bundled into the back of the net and the goal being awarded making it 5 avoidable goals but Toftwood worked hard for the game and capitilised on Rocklands errors.
Rocklands have played better footballing sides and won but not on this occasion and the first loss of the sesaon arose. But it will be how the lads bounce back from the loss which will be more important, a test of character for the team. A couple of sayings spring to mind it's not whether you get knocked down. It's whether you get up. And the second is When it's all over it's not who you were it's whether you made a difference.
Lets bounce back from this and continue to play our style of passing football and in the monments when the game is slipping away take control of the game by regrouping and keep the ball, regain the compsoure and flow of the Rocklands style of football.
