THIS WEEKEND - SAT 1 OCTOBER

Hi all

This week we will train on Friday at 5:45pm at the County offices astro pitches on PITCH 2.

On Saturday we have an AWAY fixture against Ellesmere Port. Its a 10:30am KO (10am arrival) at Whitby Sports and Social Club, Dunkirk Lane, Chester Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 6QF. Additional parking can be found on Dunkirk Lane, past the social club on the right hand side if the car park is busy.  

The whole squad is picked, minus the players rested below who are Alex and George this weekend. If we have anyone who can’t play or who is ill or injured let me know ASAP so I can shift things about.  

Sat 1 October.    Alex and George

Sat 8 October.    Rory and Charlie

Sat 15 October.  Bailey and Xander

Sat 22 October.  William and Fin 

12 November.   Zac and Austin 

Best regards

Rob

MATCH REPORT - SAT 24 SEPT

ROCKETS 3 - 4 JETS

A really useful training game against our Jets side showed us a few areas we can improve over the coming months.

Although we lost the game in the final couple of minutes, from being 2-1 up, we shouldn't be disappointed as one year ago we lost 15-1!

On a organisational, commitment and effort level we matched the Jets and after we got back into the game, George scoring from the move of the game, we looked perfectly comfortable in the middle two quarters. We were able to push the Jets back in the second quarter bringing out good saves from Casper.

The Jets passing was more relaxed and as they have played in the higher league for the past two season's they played at a slightly higher tempo and closed more quickly than we are used to which hampered our own football and passing.

BUT, it will do us good to play the Jets or other teams from that league on a regular basis.

The final quarter was great fun and both teams were committed to try and get a result. Jets went ahead before Xander equalised direct from a corner and then with a couple of minutes left Frank was allowed to advance too far towards our area to hit a great winning goal.

Even in the dying moments the Rockets still looked a threat on the break and we nearly equalised but Bailey was stopped by a very good Lewis tackle.

Overall, the result was fair, although a draw would have been nice too!

MOTM for the game, and a contender for Captain this weekend is Hugo who made some good saves and look assured in his distribution and kicking.

MATCH REPORT - SAT 17 SEPT

BLACON YOUTH 'A'  2 - 3 ROCKETS

A storming performance this morning which was surprising considering the training session last night was a bit of a struggle!

Paul and I thought hard about our set-up today and we went for Zac in the middle and Rory up front, with pace and width either side and on the bench. Its really important now that players can keep their shape and understand their roles.  

We started brilliantly and got through the Blacon defence early on with Rory being brought down from behind but the ref playing on. With a carbon copy move 2 minutes later Rory put us ahead with a fine finish to the bottom corner.

In the second quarter we switched a few players and from the kick-off we put together a four man passing move from wing to wing for Harry to run and strike the ball into the bottom corner. Already a goal of the season contender!

In the 3rd and 4th quarters the game was end to end and following Blacon getting themselves back into the game we switched firstly to Fin and then Zac to play a deeper holding midfield role. This worked well and although Blacon equalised we always looked a threat on the break.

Our defence was much more alert this week. Charlie was clearing his lines and Alex made a couple of really important blocks and tackles. William in goal kept us level with a brilliant one handed save round the post and a brave save off his line late on.

Xander and the Blacon no.14 were having a very physical battle on the wing. It was interesting to watch two talented players trying to force the other back, and I think Xander won the battle on the whole.

At 2-2 we were finding space and this resulted in Xander getting a cross into the area and Fin smashed the ball into the roof of the net for the winner.

We saw the game out like Liverpool V Chelsea to record our first competitive win which helps our seeding for the upcoming Cup competitions.

Well done to the boys.

MATCH REPORT - SAT 10 SEPT

ELTON YOUTH 3 - 1 ROCKETS

A pre-season loss to a strong Elton side showed that we need to work on fitness, concentration and positioning to quickly get back to the levels we reached at the end of last season.

We started the game with a robust line up and the lads selected held their positions very well and we controlled the first quarter which ended 0-0 with the Elton keeper making a great save from a Zac screamer.

In the second quarter we introduced some of our flair players who had just returned from the beach and we lost our shape with Elton starting to put us under pressure. From this pressure we failed to clear our lines and Elton scored with a decent finish.

In the 3rd quarter we upped our game and we started to camp in the Elton half. A good move resulted in the equaliser with Zac hammering the ball into the top corner. At this stage it looked like we could go on to win the game.

Unfortunately we then suffered from a couple of individual errors in defence, first letting the ball bounce and then getting the wrong side of the striker and bringing him down. Both errors were costly creating a tap in and a free -kick which the talented Elton striker hit to the top corner. 3-1 down.

On a positive note the boys kept going and were unlucky not to get back into the game. The work out, against a good side on a poor pitch, was a real test and will focus us on clearing our lines and keeping our shape.

THIS WEEKEND - SAT 10 SEPT

Hi all

This week we will train on Friday at 5:45pm at the County offices astro pitches on PITCH 6

On Saturday we have an away fixture against our old foes at Elton Youth. Its 9am KO so an early 8:30am arrival at Elton Primary School, School Lane, Elton, CH2 4LT. Please park at the Community Centre.

As this is a pre-season “friendly” we will take all 12 registered players. 

Please let me know if anyone CANNOT attend either.

Regards

Rob