CHRISTLETON NEWSCENE 0 - 4 ROCKETS
The boys ignited the Cup touch paper this morning and this result will raise eyebrows as we secured our first 3 points and gave ourselves a great chance of doing well in the competition.
Following some bad luck in not getting a point at Newton the boys showed they are adapting to the higher standard by being organised with a brilliant shape throughout. We gave Newscene very little space to play and were happy to sit off a little deeper which also suits our counter attacking style. Heavy metal football!!!
Paul hit the nail on the head in the post-match chat. The difference between the two teams came down to our heart and desire. We had 10 players who all worked their socks off and put their bodies on the line. Our desire to 'get to the ball' was awesome and even though Newscene tried to pin us back we never looked in too much trouble working the ball through the thirds, which is pleasing.
Rory got us off to a brilliant start by poking the ball through the goalies legs before a brilliant move put Rory through, and he squared to Will B who slammed home.
At 2-0 we knew Newscene would come at us and Xander, Harry and Zac did superbly to adapt quickly to the pace in what became quite an intense, scrappy and physical match. Harry did some great tricks on the right before putting the ball into the box which Rory latched onto to put us 3-0 up.
We learnt from the Jets and Newton game that at times we can swap Rory and Harry, which gives Rory space in midfield (and a break from being bashed about) and gives us a strong, pacey player who can 'give it back' in Harry. We did this again today and it worked for us.
Our fourth goal was ruled out with the ref spotting something after Xander had put Rory's cross into the net - and the boys did much better than our coaches and parents to get over the decision as we looked to press on!
Newscene looked to play the ball about in the third quarter and they showed they are a very good team and this was just an off-day. Our boys got camped in for a time but our defence of Alex, Fin, Hugo and William was just EPIC today. Hugo again made key saves at key times and earned his clean sheet.
With Bailey getting more and more reward for his hard work (up down, up, down!!) we went hunting a goal again which came as Rory picked up a midfield through ball to turn and smash his 6th hat-trick of the season.
MOTM went to all 10 players but special mention goes to Will B who put in a great training and match shift!
Well done to everyone. If we can start to feel 'at home' in this league and play with the effort we did today there is no reason we can't aim to get through to the semi's - we are only 3 points adrift from 2nd place and we have 7 games to go! Lets aim high and see where we can get.
Saturday 13 January 2018
Tuesday 9 January 2018
MATCH REPORT - CUP GAME 2 - SAT 6 JANUARY
NEWTON REDS 2 - 1 ROCKETS
We all came away (players, coaches and parents) with really mixed emotions from this game as we had expected to be really 'up against it' bearing in mind we were playing the current A league Cup holders.
It was a case of "what could have been" in many respects as the boys did listen, they did hold positions well, they did track back and we had 3 or 4 good chances to draw level. For long periods we looked really solid and forced Newton to shoot from distance or lose possession.
After going 1 down the boys heads didn't drop and we fought back really well in the second quarter (0-0) before drawing level through Xander's close range finish in the 3rd quarter.
Unfortunately the game was won on a dubious free-kick decision that was given we can only assume for a tackle from behind? No-one on or around the pitch seemed to understand what it was about but we lined up okay only to see the shot go in off the cross bar! A good shot but we felt hard done to after getting back level.
Hats off to the lads in the final quarter. We really went for it and caused Newton all sorts of issues with a mixture of direct play and pace. Xander raced clear but his shot was blocked, Rory found space in the dying moments and tried to play in Austin for a tap in and Fin was forcing us forward.
Whilst the result wasn't what we wanted we must take positives from our organisational play, which was better than against the Jets. We need to keep working on our positions, understanding our individual jobs within the team and creating more passing options so we can quickly get up the pitch.
MOTM went to Fin who had an outstanding game in terms of tackles, effort up and down the pitch and a controlled aggression to win the ball and drive us forward.
Well done boys. Our efforts deserved a point from the game.
We all came away (players, coaches and parents) with really mixed emotions from this game as we had expected to be really 'up against it' bearing in mind we were playing the current A league Cup holders.
It was a case of "what could have been" in many respects as the boys did listen, they did hold positions well, they did track back and we had 3 or 4 good chances to draw level. For long periods we looked really solid and forced Newton to shoot from distance or lose possession.
After going 1 down the boys heads didn't drop and we fought back really well in the second quarter (0-0) before drawing level through Xander's close range finish in the 3rd quarter.
Unfortunately the game was won on a dubious free-kick decision that was given we can only assume for a tackle from behind? No-one on or around the pitch seemed to understand what it was about but we lined up okay only to see the shot go in off the cross bar! A good shot but we felt hard done to after getting back level.
Hats off to the lads in the final quarter. We really went for it and caused Newton all sorts of issues with a mixture of direct play and pace. Xander raced clear but his shot was blocked, Rory found space in the dying moments and tried to play in Austin for a tap in and Fin was forcing us forward.
Whilst the result wasn't what we wanted we must take positives from our organisational play, which was better than against the Jets. We need to keep working on our positions, understanding our individual jobs within the team and creating more passing options so we can quickly get up the pitch.
MOTM went to Fin who had an outstanding game in terms of tackles, effort up and down the pitch and a controlled aggression to win the ball and drive us forward.
Well done boys. Our efforts deserved a point from the game.
MATCH EPORT - CUP GAME 1 - SAT 16 DECEMBER
ROCKETS 2 - 6 JETS
Our Jets inflicted our first defeat on the season as they took the game away from us in the second quarter, scoring 4 quick fire goals.
At 1-1, after scoring first through Rory, then game was fairly even although Jets were showing the same passing composure we'd seen playing Ellesmere Port.
In the second quarter we lost our midfield and defensive shape and organisationally we left too much space. Jets scored 4 goals, including 1 from the half-way line which no-one can defend.
Once we had reorganised the game had already gone but we scored again through Harry and will have learned a lot today about positions, tracking back and keeping our shape. Also Paul commented that we need to consider which player partnerships work and which don't as if we go too attacking we leave too much space at times.
So overall a disappointing result but plenty of lessons learnt hopefully and we will look to improve the score line in the reverse fixture later in the season.
Our Jets inflicted our first defeat on the season as they took the game away from us in the second quarter, scoring 4 quick fire goals.
At 1-1, after scoring first through Rory, then game was fairly even although Jets were showing the same passing composure we'd seen playing Ellesmere Port.
In the second quarter we lost our midfield and defensive shape and organisationally we left too much space. Jets scored 4 goals, including 1 from the half-way line which no-one can defend.
Once we had reorganised the game had already gone but we scored again through Harry and will have learned a lot today about positions, tracking back and keeping our shape. Also Paul commented that we need to consider which player partnerships work and which don't as if we go too attacking we leave too much space at times.
So overall a disappointing result but plenty of lessons learnt hopefully and we will look to improve the score line in the reverse fixture later in the season.
MATCH REPORT - SAT 2 DECEMBER
UPTON 1 - 8 ROCKETS
After a tough training game we went to Upton is high confidence and we produced a display which showed off everything we can do against opposition from our league.
The game was always fairly competitive but Upton dearly need the firepower that we have. Rory grabbed another hat-trick with other scorers William (1), George (1), Fin (1), Will (1) and a stunning 20 yard screamer from Bailey.
Our play was really pleasing. We had plenty of width and scored a few goals from wing-play and crosses which is always nice!
There will be bigger tests to come but overall we have shown a great consistency in the league and have won all but one game (drawn to Nomads). The boys can be very proud of what they have achieved in the league as we look to learn and progress our development in the Cup.
Well done boys.
After a tough training game we went to Upton is high confidence and we produced a display which showed off everything we can do against opposition from our league.
The game was always fairly competitive but Upton dearly need the firepower that we have. Rory grabbed another hat-trick with other scorers William (1), George (1), Fin (1), Will (1) and a stunning 20 yard screamer from Bailey.
Our play was really pleasing. We had plenty of width and scored a few goals from wing-play and crosses which is always nice!
There will be bigger tests to come but overall we have shown a great consistency in the league and have won all but one game (drawn to Nomads). The boys can be very proud of what they have achieved in the league as we look to learn and progress our development in the Cup.
Well done boys.
MATCH REPORT - FRI 1 DECEMBER
ROCKETS 6 - 5 ELLESMERE PORT RANGERS
We decided the time was right to pitch ourselves against a higher level opposition and took a friendly against the runners up from the A league Cup last season.
In the first 15 minutes it was apparent that EP's composure on the ball and willingness to play through the thirds was ahead of where we are in terms of progression and development and EP cruised into a 2-0 lead. We steadied the ship as we got into the game before George pulled one back with stunning header from a corner kick - game on!
From that point the game intensified and became a very good spectacle as two different styles went hammer and tongue. EP continued to press and probe and the Rockets looked fast on the break. Remarkably we went 3-2 up, to 3-3, to 5-3, to 6-4 before hanging on for dear life at 6-5!
Our other goals came from Rory (2), Zac (1) and Austin (1). Our goals were very good moves whilst EP's were a bit fortunate with one long range shot which our stand-in keeper William misjudged. Having said that William pulled off two brilliant saves to keep us ahead.
Overall we can take great positives about our speed in counter attack and of course our firepower in scoring goals. We could be more composed and pass and move more and we need to give more options to the players in possession - particularly playing from defence as we can get trapped in.
Overall though a fab result against a very strong team. Well done.
We decided the time was right to pitch ourselves against a higher level opposition and took a friendly against the runners up from the A league Cup last season.
In the first 15 minutes it was apparent that EP's composure on the ball and willingness to play through the thirds was ahead of where we are in terms of progression and development and EP cruised into a 2-0 lead. We steadied the ship as we got into the game before George pulled one back with stunning header from a corner kick - game on!
From that point the game intensified and became a very good spectacle as two different styles went hammer and tongue. EP continued to press and probe and the Rockets looked fast on the break. Remarkably we went 3-2 up, to 3-3, to 5-3, to 6-4 before hanging on for dear life at 6-5!
Our other goals came from Rory (2), Zac (1) and Austin (1). Our goals were very good moves whilst EP's were a bit fortunate with one long range shot which our stand-in keeper William misjudged. Having said that William pulled off two brilliant saves to keep us ahead.
Overall we can take great positives about our speed in counter attack and of course our firepower in scoring goals. We could be more composed and pass and move more and we need to give more options to the players in possession - particularly playing from defence as we can get trapped in.
Overall though a fab result against a very strong team. Well done.
MATCH REPORT - SAT 25 NOVEMBER
ROCKETS 5 - 3 TARVIN STRIPES
After a quick pitch inspection at Waverton we jumped in the cars and headed to the snow covered surface of the 4G where we invented a new game which was a cross between ice-skating and football.
To say the conditions were challenging was an understatement and the boys could not get their passing game going and when we did put the ball through to Harry it was impossible to run with as the ball bobbled about all over the place.
After Harry had put us ahead we ended the half 1-3 down. With Tarvin's best player causing us issues at the back, we had to regroup with the unbeaten record in danger!
The boys stormed back in the second half with goals from Zaz and a brilliant hat-trick from Austin. Our tackling, passing and speed was much better in the second half and we created lots of chances and had relatively few problems at the back (other than William's frozen feet!).
MOTM went to Austin for a tremendous hat-trick to keep our record going.
Well done boys.
After a quick pitch inspection at Waverton we jumped in the cars and headed to the snow covered surface of the 4G where we invented a new game which was a cross between ice-skating and football.
To say the conditions were challenging was an understatement and the boys could not get their passing game going and when we did put the ball through to Harry it was impossible to run with as the ball bobbled about all over the place.
After Harry had put us ahead we ended the half 1-3 down. With Tarvin's best player causing us issues at the back, we had to regroup with the unbeaten record in danger!
The boys stormed back in the second half with goals from Zaz and a brilliant hat-trick from Austin. Our tackling, passing and speed was much better in the second half and we created lots of chances and had relatively few problems at the back (other than William's frozen feet!).
MOTM went to Austin for a tremendous hat-trick to keep our record going.
Well done boys.
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