MATCH REPORT - SAT 27 FEB

ROCKETS 1 - 2 GROVES

A disappointing result brings our 4 month unbeaten league run to an end.

Maybe the lads starting the match hadn't had their weetabix but we started really slowly and sloppily today, missing tackles, chasing the ball and passing to no-one. Within 7 minutes we found ourselves 0-2 down before we'd started to play to anything like the levels we've reached in recent months.

In the next three quarters its fair to say we improved but having given ourselves a mountain to climb against a Groves team playing a deep back three and with some old fashioned 'hoof it' tactics we found it difficult to make clear chances.

In the second quarter Xander fired in a good free-kick on target which went through a melee of players before bouncing into the bottom corner. At 1-2 down with 20 minutes to play it looked like the comeback was on.

The final two quarters was a game of attack V defence and we must have been around 80% possession. Everything we hit was either saved or blocked but credit must go to Groves for 'parking the bus' and defending bravely.

Unfortunately the goal would not come even though the boys pushed hard until the final whistle. Xander was named MOTM for his goal and non-stop effort.

We now need to start a new run and take a hard lesson from this morning by starting every game much more quickly and committed. The coaches will also reflect on our tactics as in all honesty we should not have lost that game.

Thanks to parents for great support as usual. Onwards and upwards!   

THIS WEEKEND - SAT 27 FEB

Hi all

Training on Friday is as normal at 5:45pm, pitch 3 at County Offices

This Saturday we have a match at HOME v Groves at 09:00am KO (so 08:30am arrival). This is at Waverton Pitches, Common Lane, Waverton.

Team (7v7 hopefully)

Hugo (g)
Will B
Alex (c)
Xander
George
Zac
Rory
Charlie
Fin
William

Rested

Harry
Bailey

If anyone cannot play please let me know ASAP so we can offer the place to those rested.

A few of you have given me forward dates of unavailability which means I can often play boys due to be rested if I know they will be away in other upcoming weeks. By doing this it increases game time for everyone…so please let me know.

Thanks

Rob

MATCH REPORT - SAT 20 FEB

ELTON YOUTH 3 : 3 ROCKETS

A real topsy-turvy game against a very strong Elton team saw the game finish 3-3 with our boys arguably deserving the win.

With us only able to choose between 8 boys it was always going to be a hard game especially when the boys spotted the twin ginger threat from the opposition had turned up!

However not overawed, we started very strongly with the ball just not finding the net for us - Xander and George both hitting the woodwork. Our superiority started to tell and first George finished nicely and then Bailey scored a magnificent free kick (reminiscent of Beckham v Greece) giving us a well deserved 0-2 lead by the end of the second quarter.

Elton then regrouped and played all their big guns for the rest of the game and came from 0-2 down to 3-2 up with a couple of lucky goals and the aid of some strange refereeing decisions.

We didn't give up though and at last we capitalised on one of Harry's 'Geoff Capes' throws into the box with the ball running through to George who slotted home very coolly with that trusty left foot.

It was a hard fought draw against a very physical team, but our boys showed despite appearances we are a physical match for anyone.

The parents picked Alex as their MOTM for a great performance in defence, so Alex is captain next week.

Special mention must also go to Will B who had a great game filling in between the sticks.

The four month unbeaten league run continues and so does a great fighting spirit from the boys.....

THIS WEEKEND - SAT 20 FEB

Hi all

Training on Friday - we will confirm arrangements ASAP by separate email. 

This Saturday we have a match AWAY v Elton Youth at 09:30am KO (so 09:00am arrival). This is at Elton Primary School, School Lane, Elton, CH2 4LT.

Team (we will need volunteer goalies!)

Will B  

Xander (captain first half)

George (captain second half)

Zac

Bailey

Rory

Harry

Charlie

Alex

Rested

Hugo

Fin

William

If anyone cannot play please let me know ASAP.

Thanks

Rob

MATCH REPORT - SAT 6 FEB

ROCKETS 7 - 1 ELLESMERE PORT RANGERS

An emphatic win this morning on a challenging pitch in cold and wet conditions.

After four weeks of playing on 4G we adapted really well back to the grass and mud. It wasn't easy to play our passing football but we managed to move the ball pretty well considering.

We started very quickly and the boys executed the game plan of pressurising Ellesmere Port very well. Our opposition went for a flat back three which meant with us having two at the back that we overpowered them in midfield and we got through on goal countless times. George opened the scoring with two excellent finishes and Zac added a third to put us in control. 

In the second quarter we continued to dominate with Harry finishing to the bottom corner from a good move and Rory scored a fine individual goal bringing back memories of his 'John Barnes' in Brazil moment last season!

In the final two quarters we kept a nice shape and decent control of the game. Xander grew into the game and having been unlucky in the second quarter with one heading to the top corner, and then hitting the post from a free kick he got a deserved debut goal with a screamer from 20 yards. 

George completed his hat-trick (his third of the season!) with a trade mark cool finish.

At 7-0 up were took the opportunity to move players about with William and Fin both playing further forward which was good to see. Charlie held our defence together and was as organised as ever and Bailey and Zac had their usual high energy games. Hugo didn't have a great deal to do but when needed he was safe and his kicking was brilliant again.

We conceded a goal late on as the lads were pushing up and we got caught at the back.

MOTM was a very tough call and we felt that it was even between Xander and George. So Xander will captain the first two quarters in the next game with the arm band going to George at half time.

This result takes us to 9 wins, 3 draws and just 5 defeats for the season - bearing in mind 4 of the defeats came in Sept and October! We are now four wins on the bounce scoring 28 goals in these games!

Well done to everyone today, thanks for great support and also a word to Hayden for refereeing.  

THIS WEEKEND - SAT 6 FEB

Hi all

Training is on as usual at 5:45pm on Friday, Pitch 3 at Cheshire County Offices.

This weekend we have a match at HOME at 9am KO (so 08:30 arrival) versus Ellesmere Port Rangers. This is at Waverton Community Pitches (so back on the GRASS!), Common Lane, Waverton, CH3 7QT.

If anyone would like to referee please let me know as Paul (and Alex) are rested this weekend!

Team (7 V 7 this week)

Hugo (g)
Fin (c)
William
Xander
Zac
Bailey
Rory
Harry
Charlie
George

Rested

Alex
Will B

If anyone cannot play please let me know ASAP so that we can offer the place to those rested.

Half-term

We don’t have any training or a match for the first weekend of half-term (Fri 12^th and Sat 13^th Feb), and we already have three boys unavailable for Fri 17^th and Sat 20^th Feb, so we will keep you posted on the second weekend of half-term training and fixture. If anyone else is away please let me know.  

 

Thanks

Rob

MATCH REPORT - SAT 30 JAN

ROCKETS 5 : 4 ELLESMERE PORT ROCKETS

Another great performance from the boys to overcome Ellesmere Port 5-4, a team that in truth looked about 3 years older than ours, with Paul asking their coach if they had brought the right age group!

With a squad of 10 for this game it was hard to give everyone equal game time but all the boys had a least 2 quarters and they all performed like demons.

The opposition may have been bigger but we proved again how effort and will-power can prevail and not once did one of our boys pull out of a challenge.

We totally controlled the first quarter and went ahead with a nice finish from George from a sublime pass from Bailey. They then equalised late on with their only shot of the quarter.

It was all change next quarter with only the ever impressive Charlie staying on and despite loads of attempts on goal we found ourselves 2-1 down but managed to equalise through Harry to end the quarter 2-2, and even Hugo nearly scored late on with a great kick.

In the third quarter Rory's hard work saw him grab two goals to take us to the brink but then they equalised in the final quarter. It was left to Bailey to provide a well deserved winner and we then held on and played sensible football to ensure victory putting everything in their way, with Alex using his different type of tackle to stop one effort which made all the Dads eyes water!

Picking a man of the match was hard as everyone played their part but it went to Finlay for his pure effort and battling.
 

Our winning run well deservedly continues.....