A Clear Cringleford Day.
As the mist began to clear the day was turning into a magnificent autumn day as we trundled our way to Cringleford who along with Rocklands moved up into the A league following promotion. The last game against Cringleford denied Rocklands the title of the Norwich B league; it was a game where Rocklands dominated Cringleford all over the pitch out playing and out muscling the opposition. Would Rocklands avenge the denial of not winning the league?
The sun beamed down on players and spectators alike and with Rocklands lining up with Matty between the sticks Luke H and Joe T at centre back and Luke C on the right leaving Sam on the left. Joe S moved out onto the left wing with Steffen on the right. Eliot and Ewan sat in the middle of the park which left Jack and Robbie upfront. Joe G, Lawrence and James were ready to come on at any stage of the game.
Steve and Greg issued final instructions as Rocklands kicked the game off and immediately Eliot found Steffen out wide who pushed the button to go and he was off beating his man easily and crossing the ball finding Robbie who fired the shot just off balance pushing it just wide of the post. A great start for Rocklands.
Cringleford had a push towards goal but Joe T stepped into and broke up the Cringleford attack resulting in a corner for the opposition. Rocklands cleared their lines well with Cringleford collecting the ball outside the area which they promptly fired a shot from range in but Matty was up to the task and scooped the ball up cleanly. The game was on an even keel at this stage.
The referee blew for a hand ball just outside the Cringleford area to the right of the box; Robbie stepped up and put a peach perfect ball across into the danger zone just missing the leaping Rocklands players. Cringleford had another crack from long range but it flew wide past the post. Matty was clearing his lines really well today.
Ewan collected from Matty’s clearance and found Jack really well who slotted the pass through the Cringleford midfield to Joe S who attacked the left side well giving Rocklands a corner. Cringleford went back on the attack ending in a good shot but Matty was solid in goal and cleared his line only to have another shot come at him which he cleared again for a Cringleford corner. The corner went through the box with the far Cringleford player heading the ball over the bar. Cringleford were beginning to assert themselves.
Sam was clearing well and finding the midfield and Joe S with direct passes and it was from one of these passages of play Robbie latched onto firing his shot just wide. Luke C and Steffen’s interlinking play had the beating of the opposite numbers with either Steffen or Luke getting forward at any one time. Steffen collected from Luke C and ran the length of the pitch and again put a lovely cross into the box. Cringleford went forward on the attack but Luke H stepped up this time and denied any further progress as Luke H can only do.
Cringleford were awarded a free kick just out of the area and Matty getting his wall in place but it was to no avail as the ball went over the bar. From the resulting goal kick Cringleford were back on the attack but Joe T stopped the attack but it wasn’t long before Cringleford were putting the corner in and Matty made another excellent save by punching it past the box with Cringleford regaining the ball in attack only to be denied by a top tackle by Luke H.
At 25 min Joe G came on for Ewan and James on for Sam.
Cringleford put another shot in from range resulting in a goal at the 28 min mark.
28 min: Rocklands 0 – 1 Cringleford.
Cringleford’s confidence was rising.
From the kick off Luke C made another good run down the right side resulting in Eliot putting his shot wide. Cringleford were defending the Rocklands attacks well.
Half time Rocklands 0 – 1 Cringleford.
A fairly even match for the half with both teams playing some good football in places but not at all like last season’s encounter.
Kevin added to the half time team talk urging them forward. As the game restarted, Rocklands once again had to defend the corner but Steffen rose above all like he does and thumped the header away from the danger zone. Rocklands were driving forward looking for the equalizer.
Cringleford play a very down the middle style of game but Rocklands were slowly beginning to get their game plan going with Eliot finding Robbie and Jack well and it was from one of these passages of play Eliot fired a shot goal ward hitting the post. Joe S and Jack came off with Lawrence and Ewan going on.
As play was falling towards Rocklands the Cringleford keeper came out from his area to clear his lines with the resulting ball falling to Ewan who had an open goal and promptly slotted the ball into the back of the net for the equalizer.
51 min: Rocklands 1 -1 Cringleford.
The goal brought a sense of belief back to the lads and that came out in their style of play with Steffen and Eliot running well and strongly. James at the back was coming into his own driving forward and stopping play at every opportunity. James having played rugby hunted the ball down well. Lawrence was controlling and passing well out on the left finding space and turning his man. From a Rocklands clearance Steffen found the ball and dinked it passed his man and as the ball bounced Steffen put his foot through the ball volleying it just wide of the post from an acute angle. A great shot on the move.
Joe G back after illness was getting his tackling back to his usual form breaking up play well. Rocklands were having a purple patch and long may it continue. But it wasn’t long before Cringleford put another long range shot in crashing onto the crossbar. Rocklands were given a free kick and Ewan delivered it really well into the box with Eliot just missing it with his head. Rocklands were creating the chances and getting into the right places.
Cringleford however delivered again by their striker turning and firing the ball low into the back of the net against the run of play as Rocklands were beginning to ascend.
68 min: Rocklands 1 – 2 Cringleford.
However the response was favourable from Rocklands and Luke C made another great run down the line crossing for Ewan who got his foot to it but the ball went over the bar. Steffen moved up front with Robbie and Ewan as Rocklands pushed forward.
The game ended with Rocklands finishing strong but missing their first win, Rocklands played some of their usual good quick football in places with the second half edging the first half. After deliberation Steve awarded Steffen MOM. Both Luke C and H along with Joe T were in the running for MOM. This was defiantly a game they could have won and although being frustrated at the thought of they should have won that game don’t stop believing and be confident in your own abilities as you have the talent and skill to win and compete. All it takes is a couple of you to take the baton up and bring the rest of your muckers up and out of the dip we are in. We have watched Rocklands in previous games where players can bring the rest up, you can do it.
We are all surrounded by people of different personalities, some wear their hearts on their sleeves some are quiet, some are thinkers but at any stage any one of them can stand up and bring the rest up and raise the bar. Whatever type you are you can contribute, look at the All Blacks at the foremost of that team is what is called the bro’s. That is a Kiwi term reflecting the bonds of the team. So much so they went to a bro who recently died young (Jerry Collins) and put the world cup at his grave. So look across the pitch and see the bro’s you may be all different but your one as a team and although you may have differing personalities everyone can contribute and help each other, even if it’s just a nod of approval or a heads up to keep going. Gordon Strachan said if you are having a bad day just run about disrupting the oppositions play putting the shift in. Step into last season’s bro mode, you are all a great bunch and every person who watches you on a Sunday only want to see the potential rise to the top. It’s all there just waiting.
I could always teach you the haka to start the game off?
