ROCKETS 1 - 2 ELLESMERE PORT
Paul and I now realise how David Moyes is feeling! The boys did everything we asked of them today and we were undone by Ellesmere Ports' only shot in the first half and huge divot causing the ball to bobble in the second!
Its not an understatement to say we deserved to win the game by two or three goals bearing in mind the balance of play, but we are not getting any luck at the moment at the top end of the pitch and then to 'rub it in' fortune went against us at the back.
The first 20 minutes we played brilliantly, knocking the ball about and attacking EP to create huge pressure and lots of corners. Remarkably though from EP's only attack of the half they scored after we failed to clear the ball and it broke to their striker who swept it past William. William got his only touch of the half...picking the ball out of the net!
At half time the boys were quite down but we emphasised how well we had played.
We started a bit slowly in second half and EP did manage to play some football but after 5 minutes we settled down and we started to get on the ball. A clearance from the EP defender found its way on target and as Fin was about to pick up the ball it bobbled to the right and went in - there was nothing anyone could have done; it was just a huge slice of luck.
After that we played really well, as I know the boys all felt very hard done to. Our play become too much for EP and after a 4 player move Austin smashed one to the left corner to deservedly get us back to 2-1.
The boys threw everything at EP and again we were very unlucky with EP clearing off and on the line, Austin going close again and our boys camped in the EP penalty area.
Obviously everyone was very disappointed in the result and we deserved a lot more. After the match we talked about all the positives. Although we are going through a sticky patch I'm convinced we have a big performance and score line coming.
MOTM went to Austin. He gave 100% against lads much bigger than him, he ran his socks off and scored a great goal. Xander's performance would have also got him MOTM on any other day - his passing, crossing and attacking play was superb.
Thanks also to William and Fin for stepping in for Hugo. Its not easy and the team owes them both for being brave enough to go in goal.
Well done to the boys for a good effort. Lets keep going and our luck will change (I hope!!).
Saturday 29 October 2016
Saturday 22 October 2016
MATCH REPORT - SAT 22 OCTOBER
ROCKETS 2 - 3 PRINCES VILLA
A really encouraging performance against a strong 'A' side shows that our Rockets shouldn't fear any team in Chester. We are now competing at a high level and hopefully we can convert our efforts into results with the 'business end' of the season soon upon us.
We started the game with a formation designed to keep us in the game and to a great extent this worked, playing William just in front of the defence and then a block of 3 midfielders ahead of them. We didn't quite go for Mourinho's flat back 6!!!
In the first 20 minutes our tactic's worked brilliantly although it was hard to create chances. Unfortunately though we went 0-1 down as William was forced to push out to plug a gap in midfield and we were left exposed at the back.
At half time we switched to our normal 2-3-1 formation and while we had a few shaky moments, going 2-0 down, we were more of a threat going forward as we had an outlet in either Harry or Rory.
After we had settled down to the new formation we got back in the game as Rory controlled a cross-field ball and found the bottom corner with a great finish.
At this stage we looked like we could catch them on the break and were very unlucky not to draw level as Harry broke clear, only for the ball to bobble as he was about to score.
Soon after we were unfortunate to go 1-3 down as from a good Villa move Hugo pulled off a save only for the ball to fall to a Villa player who couldn't miss.
With 10 minutes to go we entered the period we always play our best football and the pressure was resulting in Villa giving away plenty of corners and free-kicks. Harry stepped up to bend one into the bottom corner. 2-3 with a couple of minutes to go.
The boys couldn't quite get us level and although we are disappointed the performance was pleasing. MOTM went to William who's position was always spot on, he won his individual battles and kept us organised. A sign we could have a centre half amongst us!!
Next week we play a friendly against Ellesmere Port (2-2 earlier this season) and Paul and I are keen to let the boys play with complete freedom and to make their own decisions. We've done lots of recent work on passing in the hope we can find a balance between attacking runs and team play - we know that some boys are adapting to this but as pitches get bigger its important.
From what we've seen in training and today I'm certain we are close to finding a performance beyond which we've seen so far....
A really encouraging performance against a strong 'A' side shows that our Rockets shouldn't fear any team in Chester. We are now competing at a high level and hopefully we can convert our efforts into results with the 'business end' of the season soon upon us.
We started the game with a formation designed to keep us in the game and to a great extent this worked, playing William just in front of the defence and then a block of 3 midfielders ahead of them. We didn't quite go for Mourinho's flat back 6!!!
In the first 20 minutes our tactic's worked brilliantly although it was hard to create chances. Unfortunately though we went 0-1 down as William was forced to push out to plug a gap in midfield and we were left exposed at the back.
At half time we switched to our normal 2-3-1 formation and while we had a few shaky moments, going 2-0 down, we were more of a threat going forward as we had an outlet in either Harry or Rory.
After we had settled down to the new formation we got back in the game as Rory controlled a cross-field ball and found the bottom corner with a great finish.
At this stage we looked like we could catch them on the break and were very unlucky not to draw level as Harry broke clear, only for the ball to bobble as he was about to score.
Soon after we were unfortunate to go 1-3 down as from a good Villa move Hugo pulled off a save only for the ball to fall to a Villa player who couldn't miss.
With 10 minutes to go we entered the period we always play our best football and the pressure was resulting in Villa giving away plenty of corners and free-kicks. Harry stepped up to bend one into the bottom corner. 2-3 with a couple of minutes to go.
The boys couldn't quite get us level and although we are disappointed the performance was pleasing. MOTM went to William who's position was always spot on, he won his individual battles and kept us organised. A sign we could have a centre half amongst us!!
Next week we play a friendly against Ellesmere Port (2-2 earlier this season) and Paul and I are keen to let the boys play with complete freedom and to make their own decisions. We've done lots of recent work on passing in the hope we can find a balance between attacking runs and team play - we know that some boys are adapting to this but as pitches get bigger its important.
From what we've seen in training and today I'm certain we are close to finding a performance beyond which we've seen so far....
Wednesday 19 October 2016
THIS WEEKEND - SAT 22 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 are HOME against Princes Villa. Its a 10:30am KO (10am
arrival) at Waverton Primary School.
Fin,
Wills B and Austin are rested this weekend.
Best
regards
Rob
Saturday 15 October 2016
TRAINING REPORT - SAT 15 OCTOBER
Following the disappointment of our performance against Elton we asked the boys for a reaction over the Friday and Saturday training sessions.
On Friday we felt the best thing was just to play football and have some fun. We designed some overload games (7v5) with some of our skilful dribblers on one team versus some of the boys more prone to passing. It was a good test and throughout the session and definitely towards the end some of the passing from Harry, Fin, Xander and Wills was exceptional.
This morning we mixed things up again with some overload and some even games. The most pleasing thing this morning was that our decision making between dribbling and passing was spot on most of the time, which resulted in goals and assists galore rather than the broken down moves or lost possession we experienced versus Elton.
Bailey was back this week after missing the Elton game, and across both sessions his overall play, work rate and attitude makes him our Captain for the tough fixture next weekend against Princess Villa.
All the boys did really well but we will pick a team next weekend designed to give us the best chance of a positive result as its important for our Cup seeding.
We will try to arrange some friendlies over the half-term involving all available players.
On Friday we felt the best thing was just to play football and have some fun. We designed some overload games (7v5) with some of our skilful dribblers on one team versus some of the boys more prone to passing. It was a good test and throughout the session and definitely towards the end some of the passing from Harry, Fin, Xander and Wills was exceptional.
This morning we mixed things up again with some overload and some even games. The most pleasing thing this morning was that our decision making between dribbling and passing was spot on most of the time, which resulted in goals and assists galore rather than the broken down moves or lost possession we experienced versus Elton.
Bailey was back this week after missing the Elton game, and across both sessions his overall play, work rate and attitude makes him our Captain for the tough fixture next weekend against Princess Villa.
All the boys did really well but we will pick a team next weekend designed to give us the best chance of a positive result as its important for our Cup seeding.
We will try to arrange some friendlies over the half-term involving all available players.
Tuesday 11 October 2016
MATCH REPORT- SAT 8 OCTOBER
ROCKETS 3 - 4 ELTON YOUTH
A frustrating result and performance as the boys went down to our first league defeat of the season.
After brilliant passing displays against Blacon and Ellesmere Port, when we got in behind teams, and following a really good training session we felt we could get a result.
Unfortunately though we showed our opposition far too much respect, with tackles and belief lacking in the first 10 minutes as Elton eased into a 0-1 lead.
Across the park bad habits crept back in against the one team in the league you don't run at! We needed to move them about as we knew they can tackle and break; so over doing dribbles wasn't the way forward and wasn't what we'd talked about...
However, after a poor start we did manage to apply some pressure, gaining ground and few corners. From this the ball came out to Charlie who hit a screamer into the top of the net for his first Waverton goal! 1-1, game on and we looked like we could get on top.
In the second half unfortunately we reverted back to earlier form and went 4-1 down from a mixture of good Elton play, not clearing our lines and us never really relaxing and knocking the ball about. Perhaps we were trying to hard individually.
Fair play to the lads for coming back late on to 3-4 through a nice George right footed finish and then a goalkeeper own goal. We almost got back to 4-4 with the last kick of the match seeing the goalie deflect the ball round the post.
Elton deserved their victory today but we would have given them a better match if we could have reached the standard of play showed the previous week.
We now have a run of three matches all against last years 'A' league teams so it will be very tough few weeks if we don't play like a team - which we know WE CAN.
At training on Friday we will regroup and hope to see a reaction on Saturday.
A frustrating result and performance as the boys went down to our first league defeat of the season.
After brilliant passing displays against Blacon and Ellesmere Port, when we got in behind teams, and following a really good training session we felt we could get a result.
Unfortunately though we showed our opposition far too much respect, with tackles and belief lacking in the first 10 minutes as Elton eased into a 0-1 lead.
Across the park bad habits crept back in against the one team in the league you don't run at! We needed to move them about as we knew they can tackle and break; so over doing dribbles wasn't the way forward and wasn't what we'd talked about...
However, after a poor start we did manage to apply some pressure, gaining ground and few corners. From this the ball came out to Charlie who hit a screamer into the top of the net for his first Waverton goal! 1-1, game on and we looked like we could get on top.
In the second half unfortunately we reverted back to earlier form and went 4-1 down from a mixture of good Elton play, not clearing our lines and us never really relaxing and knocking the ball about. Perhaps we were trying to hard individually.
Fair play to the lads for coming back late on to 3-4 through a nice George right footed finish and then a goalkeeper own goal. We almost got back to 4-4 with the last kick of the match seeing the goalie deflect the ball round the post.
Elton deserved their victory today but we would have given them a better match if we could have reached the standard of play showed the previous week.
We now have a run of three matches all against last years 'A' league teams so it will be very tough few weeks if we don't play like a team - which we know WE CAN.
At training on Friday we will regroup and hope to see a reaction on Saturday.
Wednesday 5 October 2016
THIS WEEKEND - SAT 8 OCT
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 a HOME fixture against Elton Youth. Its a 10:30am KO (10am
arrival) at Waverton Primary school pitches, Common Lane, Waverton.
The whole squad is picked, minus the players
rested below who are Rory and Charlie 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 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
Saturday 1 October 2016
MATCH REPORT - SAT 1 OCTOBER
ELLESMERE PORT 2 - 2 ROCKETS
The score-line today doesn't really reflect how well we played or our dominance of the game.
The boys played really well, showing a lot of composure and putting together some brilliant passing moves. It was pleasing that we'd taken something from the Jets game and our training last night as we made a lot of diagonal passing moves to get in behind Ellesmere Port.
Our passing resulted in Bailey hitting the post from a brilliant move, Harry having one saved on the line before we again hit the cross bar. At the back we looked really relaxed and both William and Charlie were able to mop up or take the ball from Hugo and find a yellow shirt.
The boys were really unfortunate to go behind as we misjudged a long ball which fell very kindly for their striker who shot low and hard to put Ellesmere 1-0 up at half time.
In the second half we were again the more dominant attacking threat and our pressure began to tell with a wave of attacks and corners. Zac got us level, slamming the ball in off the cross bar and at this stage it looked like we would go on to win the game.
Unfortunately though we conceded a soft goal coming from us not clearing our lines...something we still need to improve!
At 2-1 down we showed "the great character" of a Brendan Rogers' side and Xander managed to break free from two tackles to run through and hit our equaliser. We immediately took off a defender in an attempt to grab the winner but we ran out of time and settled for a deserved point to keep us unbeaten in the league and help our seeding for the Cups to come.
Our overall play was really pleasing as we have players now who can run at opponents but who are learning to lay off the ball and get in behind (the diagonal move). With this added element to our game, coupled with our pace and work rate we can look forward to great season ahead.
Thanks to parents for fantastic support on a cold and wet day. Winter is certainly coming!
The score-line today doesn't really reflect how well we played or our dominance of the game.
The boys played really well, showing a lot of composure and putting together some brilliant passing moves. It was pleasing that we'd taken something from the Jets game and our training last night as we made a lot of diagonal passing moves to get in behind Ellesmere Port.
Our passing resulted in Bailey hitting the post from a brilliant move, Harry having one saved on the line before we again hit the cross bar. At the back we looked really relaxed and both William and Charlie were able to mop up or take the ball from Hugo and find a yellow shirt.
The boys were really unfortunate to go behind as we misjudged a long ball which fell very kindly for their striker who shot low and hard to put Ellesmere 1-0 up at half time.
In the second half we were again the more dominant attacking threat and our pressure began to tell with a wave of attacks and corners. Zac got us level, slamming the ball in off the cross bar and at this stage it looked like we would go on to win the game.
Unfortunately though we conceded a soft goal coming from us not clearing our lines...something we still need to improve!
At 2-1 down we showed "the great character" of a Brendan Rogers' side and Xander managed to break free from two tackles to run through and hit our equaliser. We immediately took off a defender in an attempt to grab the winner but we ran out of time and settled for a deserved point to keep us unbeaten in the league and help our seeding for the Cups to come.
Our overall play was really pleasing as we have players now who can run at opponents but who are learning to lay off the ball and get in behind (the diagonal move). With this added element to our game, coupled with our pace and work rate we can look forward to great season ahead.
Thanks to parents for fantastic support on a cold and wet day. Winter is certainly coming!
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