Saturday 21 October 2017

MATCH REPORT - SAT 21 OCTOBER

ROCKETS 6 - 3 PRINCESS VILLA

The score maybe flatters us very slightly but it was by no means as 'controversial' as the PV coaches or parents wanted to believe; as from 3-3 we took the game away from them with a combination of fitness, speed and firepower.

In the end it could have been 8,9 or 10 as their keeper made some fine stops. 

The claims for a handball or my giving a routine free-kick for playing the man before the ball were out of frustration as they are a very good team who are not used to being behind. 

The boys stood up brilliantly after going one behind and Rory got us level with a trademark finish after being put through. Rory put us ahead with a mazy run and blasted finish before PV scored with the last play of the half with a brilliant header.

In the second half we totally outplayed PV after they had started brightly. Xander hit a 25 yard lob to the top corner before PV equalised. The boys continued to play intelligently and our desire to get back to rebuild each move was outstanding on a heavy pitch. 

Our fourth goal really was the 'nail in the coffin' as Xander beat two players before cutting in and shooting low to the bottom corner for 4-3. 

Playing on the right Harry had been in physical battle and leading up to foul against him he had frustrated the PV player by winning a shoulder to shoulder challenge. Harry then stepped up to blast the ball into the top corner for 5-3.

It was just left to Rory to compete his hat-trick running free and rounding the keeper to put the gloss on a perfect team performance. 

Every single player deserves great credit. Everyone played to their full potential which is a rare thing in team sport. 

MOTM went to Rory not just for another hat-trick but for playing with a cut to the head, being constantly battered by the big defenders and being the muddiest player. Other notable displays were Alex and Fin who really stepped up to the challenge and Xander for his high energy and threat. 

5 wins and 1 draw. Not too bad eh?




Monday 16 October 2017

MATCH REPORT - SAT 14 OCTOBER

ROCKETS 8 - 1 NEWTON

A fine performance against a Newton team who try to play football but perhaps physically weren't strong enough to contain a Rockets team which is full of confidence.

The score-line came courtesy of Harry (3), Rory (2), Bailey (1), George (1) and Austin (1). The Newton goalkeeper was very good, brave and quick to clear with punches or run off his line and he kept the score from double figures.

In each half the boys moved the ball very well from back to front and we were able to get our attackers onto the ball time after time. The shape of the team was quite pleasing as Paul and Rob only had to remind players on a few occasions about which side of the pitch they were playing and to hold space rather than follow the ball across.

Defensively we had only one lapse of concentration but overall we snuffed out any Newton attack and played the ball forward brilliantly.

We will have much harder challenges ahead against Princess Villa 'A' next Saturday and a new and improved Vicars Cross 'A' outfit.

MOTM went to Harry for a hat-trick and some great wing play.

Well done boys. 4 wins and 1 draw is a good start to the season.   

Wednesday 4 October 2017

MATCH REPORT - SAT 30 SEPT

CHESTER NOMADS COLTS 2 - 2 ROCKETS

A fine comeback in a match we were really unlucky not to win.

Considering we were missing players at both ends of the pitch and Nomads sprang an 8-side formation on us this result ranks as one of the best of the season so far!

The boys went into the break 2-0 down, but in the second half goals from Harry, who moved back into midfield, and then Will B took us level. With moments left we could have taken the win.

Coach Hayden said we dominated the second half and played really well.

Well done boys. Undefeated so far this season so lets keep this going!

Thanks to Hayden for helping out so we could play the match.



MATCH REPORT - SAY 23 SEPT

ROCKETS 5 - 4 BLACON YOUTH

Our third successive win of the season came about in a really competitive and evenly matched game against a talented Blacon side.

The boys started really quickly and we went 2-0 up in the first half with goals from Rory and then a good finish from a corner from Fin.

Blacon played themselves back into the match with some calm passing and with a defensive mix up from a threatening throw-in they drew level at 2-2.

From there the game was evenly matched with the Rockets going up 3-2 through a brilliant rounding of the goalie and finish from Rory, before Blacon made is 3-3. We again went ahead 4-3 when Fin blasted home another volley and yet again Blacon drew level with a 25-yarder to the top corner.

With the game restarting at 4-4 we went straight forward and Bailey scored to take us to 5-4 with 5 minutes to go.

The boys deservedly held out and we could have gone ahead further as Bailey scored but the goal was disallowed for a Waverton free kick! Then Rory was fouled in the area but the referee, who was running out of steam, was not up with play closely enough to award the penalty!

Great result but perhaps not quite the passing performance we asked for. We got drawn into a battle against tough opposition which possibly isn't the best tactic but it worked out okay in the end! Our firepower going forward saved us this week!

When we train in tight areas and play the ball under pressure we have to take this to the matches where we can use the space and play each other in much earlier.

MOTM went to Fin for a blockbuster performance.   

Well done lads. 3 wins from 3!