ROCKETS 2 - 1 VICARS CROSS
It was the second group game of the Chester Shield this morning against, on paper, the toughest opponent in our Group who are from our league.
We thought very hard about the starting set-up this week and went for balance, trying to take some lessons from the Blacon game in terms of shape. We started absolutely brilliantly and everything felt really organised and it was excellent to be able to talk to the boys waiting to come on about how they were going to effect the game.
With George on the left, Zac shoring the middle and Xander everywhere (in a good way) it gave us multiple outlets but especially on the left where George is perfecting the art of giving width when we need it but drifting inside unmarked to create an additional striking threat. It's really very clever play.
We went one up after Rory battled brilliantly for possession, played in Xander who fired in a great cross to George who tapped in for probably our most pleasing move of the season and capping off a period of dominance. Its vital to score when we are on top in tight games.
We introduced Alex, Harry and Bailey shortly afterwards and our play didn't let up. Harry's positional play was stretching Vicars Cross and there were good combinations which meant we were camped in the opposition half. Our second goal came from a Harry long throw which Zac attacked with a nicely timed run to finish.
In the second half we knew Vicars Cross would come at us and they did improve. We survived a few scary moments before they scored with a fortunate deflected corner. However, we looked dangerous on the break and on a few occasions we were just one pass away from being in on goal.
With 6 minutes to go we felt we needed to protect the lead so sent Harry left with Bailey and Zac in the middle and Xander on the right to 'PARK THE BUS'! But for a couple of heart stopping referee decisions we defended like lions to see out the game and take the points!
Vicars Cross showed great spirit in the second half and the away fixture will be real test that we can look forward to. Our two goals when we were on top were vital today in terms of giving us something to defend and hold onto.
Two straight wins following good performances against Ellesmere Port and Princes Villa has brought back the feel good factor (and improved my mood).
MOTM was a hard decision between George, Charlie, Zac and Xander. The award went to Xander who shook off illness to put in a block-buster display full of running, tracking back and always dangerous going forward.
Well done lads - lets keep this run going.
Saturday 19 November 2016
Monday 14 November 2016
TRAINING AND MATCH - SAT 19 NOVEMBER
Hi all
Training
in ON this Friday night as usual.
On
Saturday we play our 2nd fixture in the Chester & District
Shield.
We
play Vicars Cross at 10:30am KO (10am arrival) at HOME on
Waverton Primary pitches.
Rested
players are Fin, Will B and Austin.
If
anyone cannot play please let me know ASAP so we can bring in a rested player.
Thanks
Rob
Saturday 12 November 2016
MATCH REPORT - SAT 12 NOVEMBER
ROCKETS 5 - 0 BLACON YOUTH
The boys avoided a potential banana skin this morning in the Chester Shield cup game to record their first competitive win.
Prior to the game we held a minutes silence to remember the fallen of all the wars. The boys from both teams did this impeccably. This was Blacon's idea and it showed what a great club they are.
The training session last night went really well, with an overlap passing drill and a high standard mini-game so Hayden and I were looking forward to some flowing and passing football.
However, in the first 12 minutes, whilst we did try hard, we over indulged individually and played into Blacon's hands by not playing as a team. It would also be fair to say that the Blacon keeper was having an absolute blinder!
Into the second quarter we swapped 3 players, with George, Rory, Xander joining Austin and from the outset we got wider, used the space and started passing and overlapping. From there we scored two very good goals from Rory and then George.
In the third quarter the lads who started the game improved massively and we did try to get the ball moving. One or two of the moves cut Blacon to pieces.
Again the Blacon goalie kept them in the game with some unbelievable saves and being really fast off his line. However we managed to get another one through Xander who broke the Blacon line before charging through and firing hard and low.
In the final quarter we produced a pretty dominant display and swapped players and positions about. George grabbed another, cutting in from the wing and firing hard and low into the corner and then Blacon were unlucky to concede an own goal to make it 5-0 and put some gloss on the score-line.
Its hard to be critical of a 5-0 victory when Hugo had one save to make and on another day it could have been 10 or 12. To some extent perhaps we dropped to Blacon's level and got into a tackling war on a muddy pitch! BUT, even on a poor surface we could have moved the ball about better and played more for each other rather than individually. We will have stiffer tests to come if we want to do well in this competition.
Overall I'd say this was 60% of how we can play, so loads of room for improvement which is a good thing!!
MOTM was between Charlie, Austin and George who all played very well. The award went to George who gave us great width, found space and created and scored goals today.
Well done on the result and clean sheet.
FINALLY, just for Steve, here is the photo of Harry last night at training. There is nothing wrong with supporting the team at the top of the league...and he looks very good in red instead of blue! Early night and no tea for Harry I'd say...
The boys avoided a potential banana skin this morning in the Chester Shield cup game to record their first competitive win.
Prior to the game we held a minutes silence to remember the fallen of all the wars. The boys from both teams did this impeccably. This was Blacon's idea and it showed what a great club they are.
The training session last night went really well, with an overlap passing drill and a high standard mini-game so Hayden and I were looking forward to some flowing and passing football.
However, in the first 12 minutes, whilst we did try hard, we over indulged individually and played into Blacon's hands by not playing as a team. It would also be fair to say that the Blacon keeper was having an absolute blinder!
Into the second quarter we swapped 3 players, with George, Rory, Xander joining Austin and from the outset we got wider, used the space and started passing and overlapping. From there we scored two very good goals from Rory and then George.
In the third quarter the lads who started the game improved massively and we did try to get the ball moving. One or two of the moves cut Blacon to pieces.
Again the Blacon goalie kept them in the game with some unbelievable saves and being really fast off his line. However we managed to get another one through Xander who broke the Blacon line before charging through and firing hard and low.
In the final quarter we produced a pretty dominant display and swapped players and positions about. George grabbed another, cutting in from the wing and firing hard and low into the corner and then Blacon were unlucky to concede an own goal to make it 5-0 and put some gloss on the score-line.
Its hard to be critical of a 5-0 victory when Hugo had one save to make and on another day it could have been 10 or 12. To some extent perhaps we dropped to Blacon's level and got into a tackling war on a muddy pitch! BUT, even on a poor surface we could have moved the ball about better and played more for each other rather than individually. We will have stiffer tests to come if we want to do well in this competition.
Overall I'd say this was 60% of how we can play, so loads of room for improvement which is a good thing!!
MOTM was between Charlie, Austin and George who all played very well. The award went to George who gave us great width, found space and created and scored goals today.
Well done on the result and clean sheet.
FINALLY, just for Steve, here is the photo of Harry last night at training. There is nothing wrong with supporting the team at the top of the league...and he looks very good in red instead of blue! Early night and no tea for Harry I'd say...
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