A bright Winter's morning away at Weeting. Due to the team not having a league fixture this week, Rob had managed to secure a friendly against Weeting. Rocklands and Weeting had met several times last season in the South Norfolk League and the games always proved to be tough, competitive fixtures.
Rocklands were starting this match without their regular Goalkeeper Matthew Noonan and therefore Charlie Matthews was drafted into goal. It was to prove a tough day and one where Charlie's defensive postional sense was much missed at the back.
The game started with both sides playing some good football and seeking to pass the ball around. But there were barely 5 minutes on the clock when a defensive mix-up between centre-back and goalkeeper left the Weeting striker with an open goal. 1-0 Weeting.
Rocklands were managing to make good progress down both flanks with Joseph Thompson on the left and Ewan Ford on the right. A couple of decent crosses, but no clear-cut chances. Rocklands were further stretched when Marc Riley went off injured only shortly after the first goal. Ben Daynes came into the fray with Ewan Ford moving to centre forward.
Weeting were causing panic at the back for Rocklands and soon added a second after another defensive mistake. The Rocklands centre backs were pushing out, but with full backs playing the onrushing striker onside. Time after time, the ball over the top caught Rocklands out and Charlie could do nothing to keep the second out. 2-0 Weeting
This seemed to spur Rocklands into life - Joe G was bustling around the midfield, exploding tackles eveywhere and Ben Daynes was playing some intelligent through balls. Eventually, Rocklands won a corner which was swung into the box. Weeting cleared, but only to the edge of the area where Ryan Clarke spread it wide to Ben Daynes. Ben hoisted a huge 'up and under' into the area which the Weeting 'keeper flapped at. With the 'keeper on the floor, it looked as though Rocklands were going to score, when the Weeting defender blatantly knocked the ball away with his hand. The referee awarded a penalty to Rocklands - in a competitive game, the defender might have been lucky to stay on the pitch!
Ben Daynes stepped up to take the penalty, but instead of using his power he opted to place the ball low into the corner. The 'keeper had no chance and Rocklands were back into the game 2-1.
The first half wound down with Rocklands playing some good football going forwards, but looking decidely shaky at the back.
Second Half
Whatever Rob said to the team at half time seemed to work well. The team came out fired up and for the first ten minutes of the second half, played some of their most devasting attacking football this season. Time and again, the Rocklands players combined to carve open the Weeting defence who were well and truly rocking. Chances fell to J.Thompson, E.Ford, R.Clarke but they weren't converted.
However, Weeting soon steadied the ship and started launching long balls over the Rocklands back four. The team still hadn't figured out when to drop and when to hold a line, leaving Weeting players with several 1-on-1's against a stand-in goalkeeper. Weeting scored three in quick succession with their fifth coming from a hopeful punt from the Weeting 'keeper which bounced right over the Rocklands defence for the striker to tuck home. Much more work required on the back four - All of them guilty at times of standing watching the play ahead of them, 20-30 yards behind the rest of their defensive colleagues. Must work harder boys and stay more switched on.
Rocklands still had time for a few attacking thrusts and Joseph Thompson eventually broke through 1-on-1 with the Weeting 'keeper. He opted to try and lob, but saw his shot bounce back off the bar. Ewan Ford followed up with a great header, which the 'keeper managed to get fingertips to and touch over.
On another day, Rocklands could have scored several more goals themselves. Ben Daynes brought some real intelligence & quality to the passing in midfield. The defensive unit were well below their performance against Fakenham, although it will always be tough with the enforced changes.
Weeting added a sixth to finish the game. 6-1
Let's hope there's not too much turkey over Christmas and the team can come back fighting in the New Year
