Rocklands travelled to face Spixworth in the opening game of the season and would they carry the pre- season form they gained in the friendly’s over into the league? The following eighty minutes would reveal all. As I wandered across the pitch to Steve and Greg the banter from the lads displayed an air of relaxation although I was avoiding eye contact with all non- Liverpool supporter’s due to the previous day’s premiership action. I managed to steer myself away from Ewan but it wasn’t long before Greg discussed the finer points of the Arsenal game but were the lads going to follow Arsenal’s or Liverpool’s path?
As the lads lined up around the centre circle for the one minute silence for Rob and a pause for thought by all to remember a man who touched us all and left us with memories to cherish. The referee Dario Mattheson blew for the minute and called the captains to the middle and as he did an arm went around Charlie, a lovely gesture by the ref. Many thanks to Spixworth for the respect shown at such an emotional moment.
With that the lads lined up Matty in goal the back four of Charlie and Joe T with Luke H and Sam outside of them. Centre pairing of Louis and Joe G with the strong runners of Eliot and Ewan on the outside. The new signings of Robbie and Steffen upfront were raring to go. On the side line Jack and Matt H with Joe S were waiting in the wings. This season Steve and Greg have decided to have a rolling sub system where players will be brought on and off either for a breather or to receive further information or tactics.
Rocklands started the first half playing into a strong wind with the sun behind them and from the whistle the ball found Eliot steaming down the wing and putting in a lovely cross forcing the Spixworth defence to put the ball out. However when the ball was with Spixworth they applied early pressure as well using the wind to best advantage but Matty was up to the task by collecting everything coming his way. Both teams were playing the ball on the ground and passing well.
A great ball back from Robbie to Joe G who drifted the ball over the top finding Steffen on another strong run towards goal. However Spixworth had a corner at the other end of the field but Matty collected very well and released the ball to Luke H who played it through to Joe G who in turn found Eliot on another strong run. The centre mid pairing was finding Eliot and Ewan well. Ewan again was goal bound after receiving a perfect pass from Sam and the afterburners went on as Ewan cutback in beating his man and unleashing a shot on target but the keeper did well saving it. We needed a goal but where was it going to come from?
A penalty was awarded to Spixworth which they dispatched into the back of the Rocklands net.
20 min Spixworth 1 – Rocklands 0.
How would Rocklands reply? In the past heads may have gone down but not today. Steffen who together with Robbie was giving the Spixworth defence problems and it was Steffen’s strength in bringing down the ball on his chest and controlling well to release the ball toward Ewan running the line at speed and crossing the ball where Robbie leapt and headed the ball into the Spixworth net.
21 min Spixworth – Rocklands 1.
The rolling subs began with Matt H and Joe S coming on for Steffen and Eliot. Louis in midfield was again tackling and challenging well with Joe G finding a loose ball and took control finding Joe S who took over the strong running role and crossed towards the box where again the leaping Robbie just missed the ball with his head.
Nothing was getting past the Charlie and Joe T who again were playing with composure finding either Sam or Luke H outside of them or the midfield. Rocklands had a couple of shots at goal and following the clearance from the Spixworth defence Ewan drilled a low shot into the back of the net.
25 min Spixworth 1 – 2 Rocklands.
Rocklands set pieces were particularly good with excellent delivery from Louis and from one Charlie nearly got on the score sheet. Robbie’s skill in one movement leaving his man stranded and ran forward pinging it on the outside of his foot to Eliot who ran onto it putting in another strong shot goal bound but the keeper was holding the attacking Rockland lads at bay. Halftime was approaching and the Spixworth keeper was denying Rocklands with some excellent saves but the ever marauding Steffen kept up the pressure which paid off as he slotted the ball past the keeper.
Halftime Spixworth 1 – 3 Rocklands. The rain came down as we found refuge in the hedgerow with Libby making a waterproof blanket on the ground. Steve and Greg reinforced the lads to continue in a similar vein from the first half.
The second half began with Rocklands facing the sun but had the wind behind them. Eliot was back on and Luke H found him as he ran the line and passed back to Steffen who drove it accurately into the corner of the goal.
50 min Spixworth 1 – 4 Rocklands.
Let’s not forget that with all this forward play it would not be possible without the back four playing with composure and communication. Jack and Matt H were on again putting in a shift chasing back and pressuring the back four of Spixworth. Jack‘s delivery from a corner just missed Ewan’s header. Joe T almost entered the scoring with a very long range shot but the keeper just collected it. Again on the attack Rocklands, Steffen brought down Luke’s cross and linked well with Joe G who powered his shot goal ward but the keeper again was up to the task.
Spixworth had a free kick but it went high over the crossbar. Matty was again on great form with his kicking game and found Steffen who ran forward to the right and passed it back to Ewan who used the wind to perfection and stroked the ball from long range and lobbed the keeper.
70 min Spixworth 1 – 5 Rocklands.
The final whistle was coming did Rocklands have enough time left for another? Joe S thought they had and took off on the left and crossed it to Matt H who headed it home for six.
75 min Spixworth 1 – 6 Rocklands.
Reward indeed for Matt H and his hard work about the pitch together with Jack up front. The ref blew for time as a spitfire flew over, a fitting tribute to a team that played as a team helping each other out by covering or dropping back for each other keeping excellent shape. It was this show of teamwork that we can’t have a man of the match as every man on the pitch played for each other. Players who were on a hat trick were not worried about getting the hat trick they played the ball to others to prosper, selflessness abound. Steffen and Robbie, Jack and Matt H upfront strong, skilful. The hard working, tackling midfield Joe G and Louis with the strong running of Joe S, Eliot and Ewan. The calmness and communication of Charlie and Joe T paired with the composure of Luke H and Sam and the ever dependable Matty in goal. A great team performance and if we play like that the season is looking extremely good.
