Rockets were up against the Meerkats again this week and a bright start was made by all. Katie started in goal, Joel at the back, Alex and Jake on the wings, Jack in the middle and Christian upfront. The game started well with the Rockets stringing some nice passes together and showing good control of the game. Jack and Jake combined well and Alex ran well with the ball. Joel was relatively untroubled as was Katie and Christian was finding space to run at defenders. The early pressure continued and the 'Kats were penned into their own half for much of the session. The chances were coming and it wasn't long before Christian controlled a clearance and hit a fierce shot into the bottom corner. 1-0 Rockets. Crewe continued to try to play but the Rockets were tackling well and Jake and Alex were breaking free and causing problems with the ball. Christian had good possession but some strong tackles from the Meerkats meant it wasn't simples for him upfront. Joel and Katie kept their concentration at the back and when needed dealt with any Crewe possession well. The passing and moving from Rockets was working well, a through ball from Alex found Jack in the box only for a slightly high challenge to fell the midfielder, penalty decision. Up stepped Jake to slam home the spot kick. 2-0 Rockets.
Into the second period and Joel donned the gloves, Katie came on the wing with Alex on the other, Christian and Jack kept their positions respectively and Jake shored the defence. The period started as the first finished with the Rockets enjoying the possession but the passing was beginning to fade and the young Rockets seemed less focused on the game sensing an easy kill no doubt. This buoyed the opposition who were enjoying more possession now and giving Jake and Joel something to think about at the back, but both did their job well when required. Katie was providing good resistance to the 'Kats and tackled well and distributed the ball with confidence. Alex had chances to move forward and went on some mazy runs supported by Jack in the middle who continued to get up and down the field well. Christian was blocked out a little but didn't give up and always troubled the two men marking him. Eventually the opportunities for the 'Kats provided an opening for a stabbed shot to creep in the corner and get one back. 2-1 Rockets
Into the final period and Christian picked up the number 1 jersey, Joel went upfront, Katie and Jack kept their position, Alex went to defence and Jake went back to the wings. Again the impetuous was with the 'Kats and the Rockets couldn't repeat the passing and moving we all know they can do. Joel had a couple of good moves and the final finish just evaded him, Jake went close a couple of times and Katie had chances that went very close to increasing the lead. Another goal never came but the Rockets didn't look in real danger of losing their lead. The young Rockets seemed to stop playing at 2-0 and they let the opposition grow with confidence that may have undone them on another day. Despite this they carried on and all had a smile on their face and all enjoyed the game. They are full of confidence and rightly so. Well done all, more concentration on passing and finishing in training but well done. Another good day out!
