ROCKETS 3 - 1 VICARS CROSS
Our choice of opponent was well intended at Vicars Cross sit top and unbeaten in the other Cup league and have only been beaten once all season. This was the replay of our postponed league fixture so would be great test for us coming off the Cup defeats of recent weeks.
Our lack of confidence did show in a line-up that was much changed with William deputising in goal and Zac out of position at right back. The changes showed as William kept us in it with a great save and we never looked calm or comfortable.
Rory opened the scoring as we hit VX on the break and somewhat fortunately went in from Q1 in the lead. We brought William out of goal and Danny was introduced for his league debut and this did settle us down, but we never looked totally in control. VX scored a goal from a good move down the left as we lost possession high up the pitch and played on even though our lads felt the ball might have gone out.
At 1-1 at half-time we talked about looking after the ball more as we were too often caught in possession and our passing was nowhere near where it needs to be. We were falling back into the same traps set by Newscene as for periods the high pressure applied by VX meant we gave away easy ball rather than just going back to defence or goalkeeper and switching the play.
Rory grabbed a second as Danny passed the ball into him and he span and hit a first time shot which the VX goalie might have done slightly better with - but we were very glad to get ahead.
At 2-1 up we got hit with a great through ball and with the VX striker bearing down Bailey took him out with a tackle that in 2 years will be straight red and his pocket money going to the league fines department!!
From this point we did calm down and the VX pressing game relented as the boys forced corners which were expertly delivered by both Bailey and Danny. We can work on attacking these hanging balls and there is goals to come from these!
The final quarter we played very well, and were rewarded as Rory completed his hat-trick and we could have scored more as we hit the cross bar and created one lovely move down the left from which we went very close.
When we passed and moved we were good. Defensively (both defenders and midfielders) in the first 20 minutes our first touches were really poor and we panicked, scuffed, air shot and mishit the ball aimlessly which is not what we expected after the crisp passing and moves against Malpas. So its back to first touch drills on Friday!
Rory grabbed his hat-trick and 33rd of the season but Austin was awarded MOTM as he had good energy and put his foot in. William also played well, giving us some needed reassurance and confidence at the back when he came out of goal.
A GREAT RESULT but only half the performance. Well done boys.
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