Rocklands were facing the Norwich A league champions, would the result be as bright as the day? The sun beamed down as the tea and coffee flowed which all contributes to the u16’s end of season tour to PSV so please pop in and grab a cup of tea or coffee as it all helps.
Steve and Greg had announced the team in a highly technical display but being brought up with slide rules and log books I have no idea how they do it but it does look great. Rocklands have had a tough introduction to the A league by playing all the top teams so far, who have benefited by being in that league for a good number of seasons now. The A league teams know the standard required and obviously play to those standards which enable them to stay playing at that level every season. Rocklands have only this season left so a steep learning curve is anticipated but it is not insurmountable as the talent and team man ship is there to build on from last season.
As Lesley was adding another layer of clothing to beat the chill in the air, four layers in total the lads warmed up and having played a pre-season game against Attleborough they knew that they had some county and ex academy players within the team to contend with.
With Matty in goal, Luke H, Luke C, Joe S and captain Joe T made up the back four with Ewan and Eliot in the middle of the pitch and Nathan out on the right and Steffen on the left. This left Marcus and Robbie tucked up front. Sam, Joe G and Jack waiting for their chance to get onto the field of play. Kevin took up lino duties once again along with Pete in the middle of the park overseeing proceedings which without with youth football could not exist.
The man in black blew to start the game with both teams passing the ball well finding their man with accurate well weighted passes. Rocklands looked good keeping their shape well as last season’s champs attempted to find any chinks in the Rocklands game but Rocklands were competing well and breaking up the probing Attleborough attacks. Nathan and Steffen on the outside were putting some great strong runs down the line beating their man. Luke C and Joe S were at their best doing all the sweeping up and finding the wide players either side of the pitch.
Attleborough probed forward trying to find a way to release the striker but the midfield and back four were up to the job but it was from one of the probing attacks that Joe T found Steffen who again whipped the ball forward and beat his man. Steffen crossed the ball low in front of the box where Eliot got a touch to Robbie who turned his man and struck the ball which flew towards the top right hand corner and left the keeper glued to the spot looking behind him at the ball which was in the back of the net. A well worked goal from the back four with well weighted and accurate passing.
4 min: Rocklands 1 – 0 Attleborough.
This spurred the Attleborough side line staff into action trying to get their team forward and onto the score sheet. From the start Attleborough were on the attack but Rocklands pushed them away from the danger zone for a corner to Attleborough but Matty was up first and cleared well. Attleborough had not had a clear shot on goal as yet which showed Rocklands were doing the job well out on the pitch with Steve making sure the midfield were not closing in on each other too much leaving the centre of the pitch open to attack. Attleborough put their first shot on target straight at Matty who collected well.
Rocklands had good composure and shape and were maintaining that composure and shape. Were Rocklands rattling the league champs? Joe S collected the ball in front of the box and with the striker bearing down on him did his own little bit of Ronaldino skill skinning him and creating his own space before finding his man. This is what Rocklands need, confidence to play, create space. Marcus gets another great pass from Joe S with Luke C backing him up; Marcus switched play to the right finding Nathan bursting forward heading towards the box. Attleborough countered with an attack and had found the back of the net.
13 min: Rocklands 1 – 1 Attleborough.
Rocklands kicked off the restart and immediately headed forward with Steffen running strongly on the left beating three men and putting the ball across the box with Eliot going forward trying to get a shot away. Ewan had been closing his opposite man down well and tackling firm. But another Steffen cross finds Robbie who fires another shot just over the bar. Despite the equaliser Rocklands were playing well, holding their own out on the pitch. Attleborough had a free kick and Matty would have to be on his toes and he was indeed punching the ball clear. Another Attleborough shot results in Matty pushing the ball round the post for a corner. Steffen collects and again out skilled his opposite making forward ground. But Attleborough appeared just to be getting a bit more space and time on the ball in the middle and top half of the pitch which resulted in a well worked goal for Attleborough.
25 min: Rocklands 1 – 2 Attleborough.
Joe G came on for Ewan and Rocklands went forward trying to find the equaliser and Luke C was on a run forward coming through the middle and firing his shot just over the bar. Despite being behind, Rocklands were playing well and putting some good passages of play together. Steffen fired a long range shot goal ward but the keeper scooped it up and let his mid field players go forward which resulted in another Attleborough goal.
38 min: Rocklands 1 – 3 Attleborough.
But Rocklands were not lying down as they found themselves going forward again and Joe G drove a low shot in but the keeper got down to his left and collected well. Luke H and Joe T were keeping most of the attacks at bay but they had their hands full at times as Attleborough came forward.
Halftime: Rocklands 1 – 3 Attleborough.
Rocklands had good passages of play in the first half with some good work done in the midfield and the back four along with Matty but Attleborough were pushing high up the pitch hunting down the ball when they lost it which Rocklands were doing for the majority of the first half. Rocklands were closing down the space and the player but had to continue to do it.
Joe T was being patched up as Sam came on at the back and it wasn’t long before Attleborough found the net again just after the kick off.
46 min: Rocklands 1 – 4 Attleborough.
Jack came on for Steff at 52 min as Attleborough pushed high up the pitch and pressed Rocklands and as a result when they won the ball back they counter attacked. Matty pushed the ball round for another corner and at 60 min Eliot and Joe G came off for Joe T and Ewan to go back on and almost immediately from the corner Attleborough score without a challenge from Rocklands.
61 min: Rocklands 1 – 5 Attleborough.
Attleborough were pushing forward at will with their high pressing game plan as Rocklands were beginning to miss the pass and composure wilt slightly. At 63minLuke C and Joe S swapped for Steffen who went in at centre back and Eliot to midfield. Rocklands began to string the passes together with better shape. But it wasn’t long before Attleborough struck again with an easy goal.
70 min: Rocklands 1 – 6 Attleborough.
Rocklands got forward and won a corner from which Steff fired a shot toward the goal just going over. Jack got around his man and turned shooting at the goal but the keeper scooped the shot up and cleared and again Attleborough won the corner and Rocklands would have to challenge at set pieces to clear their lines but the ball went in the back of the net at the final phase of play.
78 min: Rocklands 1 – 7 Attleborough.
Pete blew to end the game and from an initially good start where Rocklands played well with composure and shape and how easy was the build-up phase to the goal. Robbie still had a lot to do but we know how good his feet are. For M.O.M Steve choose Nathan, well done Nathan. Rocklands need to maintain the shape and composure they showed in the first half for the whole game, getting in front of the man, going to the ball. When the ball is lost chase it down again, close down the space just as Attleborough were doing to Rocklands. Want that ball back, run into space, challenge your opposite number at set pieces and in play.
You won’t know you have made the right decision until you make that decision. It won’t always be the right decision but that’s how we learn. Sport and life are not that dissimilar. Don’t be afraid to make that decision. You’re a better team than today’s team.
