A sunny Sunday afternoon and the Rockets lined up against the Spiders eager to put last week behind them. Good training sessions on the Tuesday and Saturday focused on passing and using the all of the pitch so all looked good. Tom started in goal and Joel and Alex at the back, Jack and Hayden in the middle with Jake and Joe on the wings. Josh sub for the first part of the match. The game started brightly and the Rockets were soon dominating the play, pushing the Spiders back into their half straight from the off. Soon the early pressure was paying off and chances started to fall to the Rockets, Jack and Joe enjoyed a lot of possession and Joel and Alex joined in when they could. Jake and Hayden could have had two or three in the opening minutes and Tom was unused for the first skirmishes. It wasn't long before the early play resulted in a good chance for Hayden to tuck away, 1-0 Rockets. From the kick off Jack won the the ball and soon another attacked pinned the Spiders back, this time a melee in the box ended with a clearance bouncing off a defender into the net and it was 2-0 Rockets. Both Jake and Joe were causing all kinds of trouble and ball after ball flew into towards the spiders net which in the main was somehow dealt with. The Rockets sensed a big score and all players were pilling into the Spiders half now looking for glory. Another chance and this time Jake bagged a goal, 3-0 Rockets. Half time came and went and the cautionary note from the coach not to get too carried away was clearly lost in the excitement as the Rockets straight from the off pressed forward. Jake took his turn in goal, Joel was rested for questioning the management, Josh came on upfront and Hayden dropped to the sweepers role with Tom. Joe and Alex took the wings and Jack stayed in the middle. Further pressure from the Rockets and the Spiders were dealing with the attacks better now and a lone punt upfront found the Rockets out of position and the striker bearing down on Jake. The chance was cooly taken and the Spiders had one back, 3-1 Rockets. The pattern continued, Joe and Alex pushed forward, Josh and Jack joined in, Tom and Hayden couldn't help assisting but again the Spiders broke free and sprinted down the other end to an unguarded Jake and suddenly the Spiders had 2, 3-2 Rockets. Suddenly the Rockets realised they couldn't all pour forward, Joel was installed in attack with Josh rested and the play reverted to Rockets pressure. A great run from Joe down the wing and a cross was met on the full by Alex storming down the opposite wing to seal another goal. 4-2 Rockets. Tom then enjoyed some runs, Hayden ventured forward but had to be mindful of his defensive duties and Joe, Alex and Joel all went close with chances. A final flurry of activity in the Spiders web and a prod home from a grateful Jack and the game finished 5-2 Rockets on top at the end the same as for most of the match. A little lesson in the shape of the team and making sure the team work as a team and not as a series of individuals will be reinforced in training. Take nothing away from the guys though a very good performance with some excellent individual contributions. Well done to Spiders who never gave up and played with good spirt. Overall a good win, well done all.
