Another very windy Sunday morning start, away to Thorpe. With Rocklands having played well in the home fixture a few weeks ago, but not getting anything from the game, the team were determined to really give it a go. Apologies in advance for any errors in the report, I was running the line and most of this is from memory.
Rocklands were missing several team members, Louis still recovering from his ankle break, Joe G, Luke C and James S all out. Given the excellent second half performance away to Scole, Steve and Greg decided to try and continue where they left off. Matty in goal, a back four of Luke H, Joe T, Joe S & Ewan. Just in front of them, Nathan, Robbie, Jack, Stef and Eliot, with Phil up front.
Rocklands won the toss and made the sensible decision to kick with the wind behind them. Thorpe are a good side and applied pressure to Rocklands from the start, but the Rocklands defence managed to hold a reasonably high line and limited Thorpe to mostly direct play over the top which Matty mopped up well. The full backs were controlling their wingers well and then looking to set the Rocklands wingers free with balls into the channels. In midifield Jack, Robbie and Stef all worked hard to pressure and disrupt. Rocklands looked a little more aggressive in the challenge than in some recent games which is a good thing. With the pace of Phil, Nathan and Eliot, Rocklands always looked a threat on the break when the wind carried the ball into the space behind the Thorpe back four. Matty made some good stops in the first half including one diving save to tip the ball around the post. Thorpe did manage to hit the woodwork, but aside from that no major scares. At half time, Rocklands were still very much in the game...although kicking into the strong wind in the second half. 0-0
Rocklands expected a bit of an onslaught in the second half and Thorpe gave it a really good go for the first 5-10 minutes. Matty made a string of impressive saves and was beginning to look unbeatable. Frustrations began to rise in the Thorpe team - they clearly werent expecting the game to be like this! Even with the strong wind, Rocklands always carried a threat. Eventually, Nathan was set through on goal and bore down on the 'keeper. Somehow he managed to hit it straight at the goalkeeper and perhaps the chance had passed? However, the Thorpe goalkeeper couldnt hold on to the ball and fumbled it back into Nathan's path who then coolly slotted it with his left foot.
0:1 Rocklands!
From that point, the whole team really dug in. There was disciplined play and running from the midfield, the defence kept at it and showed they would not be intimidated by some of the 'dark arts' employed by Thorpe at corners. Sam came on for Ewan at left back and Lawrence for Jack, with Eliot shifting back into the centre for more hard running and tackling. Yes, Rocklands rode their luck a bit with Thorpe hitting the woodwork twice more and their number 10 somehow blazing over from 10 yards when 1-on-1, but this was no less than the hard work deserved and Rocklands have had matches recently where the luck hasnt been with them. As the game wore on, Thorpe really lost their discipline and began to challenge every decision made by the referee, coupled with quite a lot of foul-mouthed dissent - not really a good example of youth football. Thorpe did pull back an equaliser with only minutes to go...but won't dwell on that as it shouldnt overshadow a great team performance.
Final score 1:1
The dissent/abuse got so bad towards the end that the referee who had initially blown for a Rocklands goal kick, decided to end the game before he had to deal with the Thorpe players who had surrounded him more strongly.
MOTM to Matty for a series of outstanding saves and a 'presence' in goal today which spread through the defence. Might be an unrealistic request, but try to keep your fitness up over Christmas lads! Hope you all have a great break (players and parents alike) and look forward to more football in 2016
