Back To The League.
Thorpe arrived amid a cold wind blowing and showers and what a week it had been, the Paris massacre and the following manhunt, Jonah Lomu the great All Black winger who ran 100m in basketball kit in 10.8 secs and at 2m tall and 19 stone was no mean feat passed away at 40 years of age. These were a display of the fragility of life, from innocent people leaving work or enjoying themselves together being gunned down with scant regard, to a giant of a man that defined a nation with his strength poise and pure power dying with his family around. One group had no idea that that was going to be their last few minutes of life to another who was awaiting a transplant hoping he would see his kids 21st birthday knowing that at any time he may die. Which is worse, neither, I personally think but what it does display is that we must pack as much into our life as possible without hurting our fellow man. But we all know of the fragility of life first hand especially Rocklands U16.
Both sides were going to observe a 1 min silence for the victims of the Paris massacre and the lads stood on the centre circle until Pete blew to get the sides ready to face each other with Kev running the line. Thorpe lined up in their black kit and Rocklands had Ewan upfront with Joe T on the left wing and Nathan on the right Robbie dropped to just behind them along with Joe G and Steffen bolstering the centre mid field in front of the back four of Joe S and Luke H at centre back with Luke C and Sam outside of them and of course Petr Czech was in goal for us. Eliot, Jack and Phil to provide the breather for the rolling subs.
Thorpe began well against the wind but Rocklands started just as well playing with the wind and the new formation looked good with Steff and Joe G finding each other well. The ball was pinging about really well for Rocklands, the effort level was high along with the communication with the result being some very good football being played. But Thorpe had other ideas and Matty made a great save followed by Sam doing a magnificent goal line clearance.
Rocklands didn’t falter and Robbie playing just behind Ewan began to come into the game by dinking the ball past two players and delivered the ball sweetly up front which resulted in the first corner for Rocklands. Robbie put the ball in really well with Rocklands attacking the ball. Was this going to be our day?
Nathan was destroying the right side in his usual style of direct powerful running at his opponents, scaring the hell out of them being the end result. But the result of this is that it brought other players in trying to slow his progress which in turn leaves gaps and from one of Nathan’s running the entire length of the pitch and floating the ball across to a marauding Steffen who fired a shot just past the post. Rocklands looked composed and were getting the ball to do the work.
Rocklands were awarded a free kick for a high foot just outside of the area and there is only one person to deliver this and up stepped Robbie who popped the ball to the far post where Joe T and Ewan raised high and just missing the ball by a bee’s knee. Rocklands were again in the right areas and attacking the set piece. Joe T was using his speed and skill covering the left side really well, such determination and team encouragement from Joe T. Nathan thumped another shot just wide, Rocklands were putting the ball to good use. Rocklands were trying to use the wind to their best advantage and Robbie drove a shot in and ricocheted for a corner. Joe S and Luke H were scooping up the loose ball from the Thorpe attacks with Sam always finding Joe T well and Luke C side stepping past his man and making good ground forward but always getting back to help, reading the game well.
There was a halt in play as a Thorpe player received treatment, but play was under way and Joe S was called into action and stopped another Thorpe attack, taking the ball off his opponent and finding Joe T really well. Petr Czech was called into action again making a cracking save. But it was Thorpe on the break and from range hit a dipping shot just as Rocklands stood off for a fraction of a second.
24 min; Rocklands 0 – 1 Thorpe.
It was a real shame as Rocklands were playing some really good football matching their opponents and at times playing the better football, everyone stepping up to the mark lifting their game helping each other out. Steff again was covering ground in his new position and doing really well but Steff I think you could put anywhere and he will do the job for you as would any other of the Rocklands lads, such is the improvement lately. And it wasn’t long before Thorpe put another long range shot into the back of the Rocklands net.
29 min; Rocklands 0 – 2 Thorpe.
Both goals were on the break, Eliot came on for Sam. Thorpe had numerous corners but the Rocklands defence were clearing the lines well. Luke H was working hard keeping the Thorpe striker at bay. Rocklands going forward were playing well as they were defending their lines despite the two goals Thorpe had. The lads were still in this game and battling well keeping their game plan and management intact. Phil came on for Joe G on 35 mins, now Phil had turned up for training on Weds and with his turn of speed and quick feet Phil was rearing to go. Immediately he was covering the ground well and I believe he prefers being a striker but he started really well. Matty was called into action again pushing it over for a corner; the resulting corner skimmed the crossbar. Joe S stepped up and broke up another Thorpe attack.
Phil was back on the ball and found Nathan really well but the wind caught the ball.
Half time; Rocklands 0 – 2 Thorpe.
Rocklands were unlucky to be two goals down as they had played some really good football with all working for each other. But the wind was doing its best to disrupt the game.
Thorpe were back on the attack at the start of the second half but Rocklands were holding their own, Jack came on for Ewan and was hustling for the ball from the off, closing down well up front. Phil had continued tracking back and covering the ground well.
Thorpe have been in the A league for a while now and although not the best footballing side, Rocklands overall were playing the better game with regards to football. Robbie was finding players left and right and Steffen found one of these and went round the opposition with another good run. Thorpe broke again but Matty denied them another goal with a fantastic double save.
But Luke C had made one of his forward moving runs and delivered just as he did last week for Steffens goal and as the ball came in Jack was in the right spot and headed it in the net for Rocklands opening goal and richly deserved it was for all the hard work.
60 mins; Rocklands 1 – 2 Thorpe.
Rocklands were lifted by the goal and moved the game up a notch and Eliot was closing his opposite number down every time and our set piece play was starting to pressure the Thorpe team as they were rattled by the goal. Steffen was finding the front men really well and as the Thorpe team becoming more anxious the referee had to book a Thorpe player for foul language.
Thorpe had a couple of tidy players upfront but Rocklands made it a bit easier for them at times by jumping in to early but Rocklands kept them at bay on the break as that appeared to be all the Thorpe team had was to counter attack and it was from that they scored again from distance.
80 mins; Rocklands 1 – 3 Thorpe.
It was a harsh blow in a sense as the lads had played really well for the majority of the game and played well against the wind keeping the ball low and in control. Rocklands deserved something out of the game but it was another step in the right direction, another rung up the ladder. Rocklands played some good football worked hard as a team, worked together went forward and came back as a team.
There were a few MOM Matty, Robbie, Phil, Nathan, and Steffen. Any could have had it as everyone did their job as Steve requested and gave their all which is all anyone can ask. But Steffen raised to the challenge the most. The goals will come as will the win; Rocklands are now going in the right direction. We have a really good personal trainer coming in taking the lads through speed, agility and fitness work but all the time relating it to on the pitch situations. This is being sponsored by Steve and a couple of the parents so any contributions towards this would be great as it is very noticeable the difference when they play a match afterwards and with the league games as well. A few contributions can make a difference but more can make the change in putting these lads where they deserve to be.
We don’t know how or where our life will take us but these young lads have everything at their fingertips combined with first class decency and spirit. Live life be fulfilled by it.
