THIS WEEKEND - SAT 2 APRIL

Hi all

On Friday training is back to normal at 5:45pm at the Cheshire County offices, pitch 3.

On Saturday we have an AWAY match V Upton at 9:30am KO (so 9:00am arrival). They play at Acresfield Primary School, Acres Lane, Upton, Chester CH2 1LJ.

Team:

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

Rested:

Will B
Charlie
Rory

Please let me know if anyone can’t make either training or the match.

Thanks

Rob

MATCH REPORT- SAT 26 MARCH

ROCKETS 5 - 1 TARVIN

A fabulous result and performance from the whole squad resulted in our 7th win in 9 games since Christmas against a side who had beaten us 0-3 last time we played.

We played 7-side and two 25 minute halves today for the first time, as this will be the format next year. We started really well and looked the more threatening team, although Tarvin had a couple of breaks from their academy player (no 23). In the 12th minute Xander picked up the ball on the left side, beat two players before hitting it low into the bottom corner. It was a brilliant goal.

We then changed the team around for the next part of the half and although we started a little shakily, allowing Tarvin to equalise, we soon found our rhythm and confidence with Harry coming into the game on the right hand side. With a couple of minutes to go in the half we re-introduced Bailey who fired across for George to finish nicely (with that trusty left foot!!).

At 2-1 up we then swapped around again and we started where we had left off by dominating possession and always trying to pass and play the ball. We had spoken at half time about targeting the Tarvin no. 23 who was a threat on the ball. Other than one occasion when he broke through we got much closer to him and were able to break up his runs.

We really used the width and big pitch well today. Our passing from the back was excellent and we were able to get the ball forward quite easily to our midfielders and strikers which is really pleasing to see from a coaching point of view. This was also the case last night at the excellent training session.

Our dominance of the game began to tell and we scored our third from a Harry corner which Zac got something on and it sneaked into the bottom corner. This was brilliant as we had been practising this near post run last night at training.

Our fourth came quickly after as Harry broke through and shot and the ball fell to Zac who guided it into the bottom right. Then Zac completed his hat-trick by smashing one into the top left.

In the final 8 minutes we switched Finlay and William to left and right midfield and they were both free to roam forward and show how adaptable our squad is. Fin was able to stretch his legs and was really unlucky not to score.

Hugo didn't have the busiest game today but at 2-1 up he pulled off an amazing save from point blank range which the Tarvin coach said was the best save he'd seen this season. He obviously didn't see the one against Saughall!!!

Will B did a great job and is really improving by holding his position and trying to always turn the opposition. Rory's passing and team play was great in training and again today. Our defence of Alex, Charlie, William and Fin was rock solid.

The MOTM choice came down to the outstanding Xander, Zac & Bailey and the lads threw Hugo's name into the hat as they knew how important that save was. The MOTM went to Zac who always raises his game even higher against his old team!

To be honest the score could have been more. Both Harry and George smashed good chances high and wide bringing back memories of Geoff Thomas for England and Ronny Rosenthal for Liverpool - one for the football aficionados there! Unlucky to both lads as they actually caught the ball too well!

Well done to everyone. This was a great performance.  

TRAINING TONIGHT

Hi all

We'd like to bring training forward one hour tonight if that is okay? So 4:45pm to 5:45pm at Waverton Grass Pitches. Sorry about the late notice...

Thanks

Rob

THIS WEEKEND - SAT 26 MARCH

Hi all

On Friday we will run a training session on the grass at WAVERTON PITCHES, from 5:45pm.

On Saturday we have a “friendly“ match V a strong Tarvin team at 9am KO (so 8:40am arrival) on the 4G at Christleton High School. This will be a good test for us against a decent side.

ALL boys are selected as we will play 2 x 25 minute halves, 7 v 7, in preparation for upcoming tournaments and next season when it all gets even more serious and competitive!

We are aware it is Good Friday and Easter weekend so please let me know if anyone can’t make either training or the match.

Thanks

Rob

THIS WEEKEND - SAT 19 MARCH

Hi all

Just a reminder that there is NO training or match this weekend, 18^th & 19^th March, so enjoy an earlier than usual glass of wine on Friday and a lie-in on Saturday morning!

The match V Tarvin on Saturday 26^th March is confirmed as 9am KO at the 4G Christleton High School.

If anyone can’t make the Sat 26^th game please let me know asap.

Thanks

Rob

MATCH REPORT - SAT 12 MARCH

ROCKETS 3 - 0 UPTON YOUTH

A solid performance today from the lads resulted in our 11th win of the league campaign (11 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses). Our form since October though is definitely Champions League places!

We started pretty well against an improved Upton outfit who defended well and kept themselves in the game without threatening our goal. After two quarters we had dominated without creating too many chances so we talked at half-time about getting more shots on goal. Harry was putting in some fantastic corners which can become a source of even more goals for us going forward.

In the third quarter the deadlock was broken by Bailey who picked the ball up on the right, ran into space, before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the bottom left. The boys then relaxed and started to play some great passing football. A clearance from the Upton defence fell to William who struck it sweetly into the top left. 2-0 up and cruising!

In the final quarter we really got some good combinations going. Our pressure told when Bailey broke up play and fired in a great cross which George struck first time into the top left.

With three strong players rested the boys dug deep to get the goals we deserved. We always tried to do the right thing which was pleasing.

Bailey was the stand out player today. His attitude, effort and skill showed and he listened to the coaches at half-time about shooting on sight of goal! Bailey was named MOTM and will captain us for the tough test coming up against Tarvin Athletic.

Well done to the boys. The last two games have been a great response to the Groves match.  

THIS WEEKEND - SAT 12 MARCH

Hi all

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

This Saturday we have a match v Upton Youth at 9:00am KO (so 08:40am arrival).

 

**PLEASE NOTE** due to home pitch conditions we playing at the 4G at CHRISTLETON HIGH SCHOOL so all players will need trainers or blades, no metal studs.

Team

Hugo (g)
Harry
William (c)
Bailey
George
Rory
Will B
Alex
Charlie

Rested

Xander
Zac
Fin

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

Thanks

Rob

MATCH REPORT - SAT 5 MARCH

SAUGHALL COLTS 1 - 2 ROCKETS

WOW! What a difference a week makes in football! Today we secured a brilliant, hard fought win against a team who've had some strong results but who came up against a Rockets side with huge character and desire.

Again, our opposition went three at the back (that's four from seven players!!?) and played a style of 'hoof it up the field' football which is from a different place to Planet Waverton Rockets. 

After an excellent start this week (Bailey got in their faces!) we had complete control of the game but perhaps could have let a few more shots go. The coaches had no complaints after the first quarter.

In the second quarter we continued to dominate but just couldn't break through. Saughall then scored with a very lucky own goal from one of their trademark hoofs upfield which ran to their striker who shot miles wide only for one of our lads to deflect it in. There was nothing Hugo could do and we found ourselves 1-0 down with about 95% possession! 

We regrouped at half-time and talked about how we would win this one and how the goals would come. 

The final two quarters were eventful! We equalised with a great Bailey corner which they put into the their own net (own goals even) and it was game on! The boys poured forward relentlessly whilst keeping a brilliant shape and snuffing out the odd break from Saughall. 

With 5 minutes to go the coaches tinkered with the formation, firstly playing Bailey higher up the field and then playing Harry in centre mid. The tactics paid dividends as with 3 minutes to go Harry swerved in a wicked corner which Xander hit on the half volley into the top right. 

At 1-2 up we had to defend like Lions to see the game out and all the boys put their bodies on the line as Saughall finally showed some ambition. 

In the last minute Hugo pulled off a save, diving to his right, which at any level or age group can only be described as "world class" (an over used phrase in u8s football). Not only was it fantastic reactions after 39 minutes of watching his team mates attack but most importantly it was match winning for us! 

The game ended in a little chaos, confusion and confrontation between the "home" referee and some of our travelling fans but that didn't take anything away from a huge achievement that the boys should be proud of!

MOTM was an almost impossible decision but it went to William who played in both left midfield and left back and always tried to do the right thing with some great passes, runs and tackles. 

Well done everyone. 

THIS WEEKEND - SAT 5 MARCH

*** NOTE KO TIME CORRECTION***

Hi all

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

This Saturday we have a match AWAY v Saughall Colts at 10:30am KO (so 10:00am arrival). This is at Sea Hill Playing Fields, Sea Hill Road, Saughall, Chester, CH1 6BJ.

If you travel from the Parkgate Road all the way through Saughall Village, the fields are at the far end of the village, down the hill on the right before the big bridge.

Team

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

Rested

George
Rory
Will B

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

Thanks

Rob