An early start was on the cards as Rocklands were away to Worstead which as the travelling Mum’s and Dads from both sides can testify to is a lovely drive either way and as we made our way through the winding lanes the same match day chat arose where are we in the league and how did we get on against them when we played them last? Well to answer that Rocklands are tied second in the league and beat a Worstead side with some dubious refereeing decisions 2-1. Worstead despite the decisions were magnanimous in defeat hats to the parents of Worstead.
Rocklands have been on a good run of late and were Worstead about to put an end to this, well as we arrived and parked the cars I spotted Steffens dad who as a Spurs fan was on the hunt to find the nearest Arsenal fan. I decided sign language was appropriate and pointed to Greg and Ewan immediately. But with the scent of the sea in the air Kev who as ever ready to run the line mentioned the sea was only one and a half miles away which made sense as the cool wind blew around.
Rocklands were three important players down, Charlie still nursing the injured knee, Eliot being away and Joe S phoning in unwell. Hopefully Joe S is back to his best this coming Sunday. Despite the Spurs Arsenal result the banter was very quiet as the Worstead ladies had the prime seats in the hut sheltering from the wind. The pitch looked good despite the previous week’s weather. Greg and Steve warmed the lads up and lined them up ready for action with Matty in goal and a back four of Luke H and Sam playing on the outside of Joe T and Luke C. Joe G and Louis in the middle with Steffen and Ewan playing outside of them. Robbie and Matt H completed the line up with Jack waiting in the wings for the rolling subs to start. Both sides started well with Worstead trying to find their front man with the central channel ball but Rocklands began by putting the early pressure on by playing high up the pitch at times and almost immediately this payed off with Robbie (Coutinho feet) found Steffen who was prowling and slotted the ball into the back of the net to open the scoring.
7 mins: Rocklands 1 - 0 Worstead.
Rocklands were playing well controlled passing football but the Worstead keeper was making it difficult and being a county keeper he was keeping Worstead in the game as Steff and Matt H were doing their best in trying to put their shots past him. Sam was on form playing his controlled game and finding Ewan on the outside numerous times and as Ewan whipped past him man he was supplying Matt H and Robbie up front really very well. Sam was covering his man well. The back four and mid field of Joe G and Louis were snuffing out any attack from Worstead but would they get caught out? Rocklands were having the majority of possession and using it well.
Worstead did break through and with the striker through on goal Joe G put in a goal saving tackle on the edge of the box. But it wasn’t long before Steffen was again almost through on goal with another great move. Sam was on the move and putting some good crosses into the mix. Luke H again wasn’t letting his opposite have any room or time on the ball. Joe T was calling the shots with Luke C turning and using the ball as only Luke C can do. The Worstead keeper was keeping them in the game with some fantastic saves.
Matt was called into action after Worstead turned the run of play around and fired a shot towards the Rocklands goal but Matty was up to the task and collected it well. For the minute Rocklands were just going off the boil slightly. Louis and Joe G in the middle were finding the forward players well and it was one of these moves where Joe G found Steffen really well with a through ball and with Steffen juggling the ball with his feet into the centre of the goal area with the shot just going wide. Again the Worstead keeper did well, Jack popped a long range shot goal ward just falling wide.
The team as a whole were playing well finding each other with a good fast paced passing game.
Half time : Rocklands 1 – 0 Worstead.
The second half started off where the first half left off and once again the Worstead keeper saves really well parry the ball around the post from a Steffen shot supplied again by Robbie. However it wasn’t long before Robbie flicked a ball over the Worstead defence where Steffen was on hand to ping it under the Worstead keeper.
45 min: Rocklands 2 – 0 Worstead.
Joe T scooped the ball up from the back and found Louis in the centre of the park who in turn found Robbie who turned immediately and hit his shot hard toward the goal but again the keeper made a brilliant save to deny another Rocklands attack, starting from the back. The back four were working well together but more importantly finding the midfield players to start another attack. Jack again was busy up front hustling the Worstead defence and it was a loose ball that Jack found as he ran goal ward with a fifty fifty with the keeper. Again the keeper winning it.
Worstead had some possession and pinged a shot which hit the crossbar but Luke C was on hand to scoop up the rebound and turn his man to find some space and find Joe G who in turn pushed it wide this move had 6-8 passes in it with the resulting shot being yes saved by the keeper. Worstead had a free kick just outside the area and Matty would have to be on his guard as was the forming wall but the shot sailed over the bar.
Would Rocklands penetrate the Worstead goal as the keeper was on cracking form? Joe G intercepted a ball and drove forward passing a lovely weighted through ball to Robbie who promptly hit it on the angle past the keeper.
55 min: Rocklands 3 – 0 Worstead.
Set pieces from Rocklands were particularly good whether it was short or long the delivery was great, from one of the corners the ball came out where Matt H hammered it low and hard into the back of the net.
60 min: Rocklands 4 – 0 Worstead.
Nothing settles for long as Rocklands are on the attack again with the shot hitting the post and Jack shooting the rebound. While the Worstead defence were soaking up the attack the referee awarded a penalty which as a team all wanted Jack to take the penalty. Jack up against an inform keeper fires it goal ward only for it to rebound off the keeper which Louis slotted home.
65 min: Rocklands 5 – 0 Worstead.
Every one of the team wanted Jack to score and put himself on the score board and as Steff put his arm on Jack’s shoulder it will come Jack don’t worry. The team morale is high and everyone is playing for each other. But it wasn’t long before Jack was back in the action finding Steffen who calculated what the keeper was going to do and chipped the keeper for the sixth goal.
70 min: Rocklands 6 – 0 Worstead.
It was not to be long before Matt H fired a shot with power with the keeper parrying it away but Steff was there to slot the rebound in.
72 min: Rocklands 7 – 0 Worstead.
Worstead still were not giving up and played with spirit all the way through the game despite the score line. The referee gave a penalty to Worstead and the keeper promptly ran up to take the penalty. Keeper against keeper and the Worstead hit the penalty well scoring for Worstead.
73 mins: Rocklands 7 - 1 Worstead.
It was at this stage that Luke H came into midfield and seemed to enjoy himself. In the last few minutes Matt H buried another goal to make the total for Rocklands 8.
75 min: Rocklands 8 – 1 Worstead.
With minutes remaining Jack found Robbie for a fantastic shot on goal and fired another just over the crossbar. However the game ended when Matty was called into action and once again collected well as the referee called time on the game.
MOM was again tough with the defence playing well and the forward players hitting the goals Steffen hitting four, Robbie bringing in others. Any of the back four for the composure shown, Ewan beating his man down the line, Louis and Joe G covering the ground breaking up play. Matty doing what he does so well at the drop of a hat. But Steve and Greg decided Joe T for his reading of the game and marshalling the troops well so another fiver for Joe from Dad. Let us know if it does not arrive Joe.
Rocklands have played some great football at times during recent matches coming from behind at times; playing some great passing football scored some great goals and kept out some great shots on goal. Every one of the team has played their part in the progression of their football and this is a good reflection of Steve and Greg instilling the right attitude and manner to play football. Keep up the good work lads as we are in a good position in the table but Rocklands have some tricky games coming up which will call upon all of the comradeship and skill of the whole team to play to their best. Rocklands can do it, Believe beyond reason
