ROCKETS 2 - 2 CHESTER NOMADS
Nomads brought a strong combined team for what proved to be really good match in the customary Saturday morning rain.
The boys tried to do the right things and that is pleasing. Certainly our decision making and link up play is now much better and in particular Harry is adding passing and linking up to his wing play.
We went 1-0 up as Rory stole the ball from Nomads talented centre half to fire powerfully home and we thought we could extend the lead and we looked very dangerous and quite often just one ball away from creating a chance.
At the other end William, our reserve goalie, kept it level with a low stop to turn the ball around the post.
Nomads levelled up from a bit of a calamitous goal as we let their left winger go past two Rockets and he crossed into a crowded box for the ball to deflect and loop over the line as Austin tried desperately to keep it out. Lesson is for us to see the attacker out, get a foot in, and to clear our lines.
Throughout the match our passes or clearances were quite often short or weak. We have a number of players who can smash a penalty to the top corner in training but in the match manage to hit the ball 3 yards or swing and slice or miss! Something to work on at training and in the back gardens or down the park!
The boys went ahead again through Rory who latched onto a brilliant bit of play and through ball from George to poke home.
Again though Nomads came back level, with another deflected shot which looped over William who had gone down to save the initial shot - very unlucky.
The lads had good chances to win the match and we probably edged it on overall performance, which in itself is very pleasing as Nomads are a decent team.
MOTM went to William for a great display in goal and then coming out to stabilise the defence in the final quarter.
Saturday 7 April 2018
Monday 2 April 2018
MATCH REPORT - SAT 31 MARCH
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.
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.
Saturday 24 March 2018
MATCH REPORT - CUP GAME 10 - SAT 24 MARCH
MALPAS 4 - 1 ROCKETS
We rounded off the cup games with one of our best performances as the boys again took the training session into the match and we tried to get the ball down and play.
For large periods of the game we were the better team and at 1-1, after Bailey had equalised, we were going into half-time all square....until Malpas scored with a speculative shot which bounced through our defence before being flicked into the net.
In the second quarter we had played some brilliant football including one move which involved every player - from Hugo, through the defence and midfield, before George's cross to Rory who brought a good save from the goalie. It would have been goal of the season and the move drew applause from both sets of parents and coaches.
At 2-1 the next goal was always going to be important. Unfortunately Malpas scored another two with similar goals where their midfielders shot waywardly from miles out only for the ball to fall both times to their striker.
We have told the boys, and we will keep repeating this mantra, that at this stage of the development we've got to be confident in playing the ball out from the back and today we looked like we belonged in the top division. This progression was always going to mean we give the odd goal away until we can find the balance of how we defended and organised versus our Jets and how we played football today.
Of the 10 games in the cup we only really got taken apart 3 times (Upton x 2 and Newscene at home). Highlights are obviously our 4-0 win against Newscene, our draw against Jets and how we played the last two weeks.
The boys also showed a great togetherness today as the game got a bit lively with a dive that Tom Daley would have been proud of, a couple of mis-timed Waverton tackles and the ref abandoning the game after I asked for a routine foul for tackle from behind. It was disappointing for them to throw every toy out the pram at 4-1 up, but overall it was an otherwise entertaining game.
MOTM went to Bailey who has shown he can lead the team and set the example.
Well done boys.
We rounded off the cup games with one of our best performances as the boys again took the training session into the match and we tried to get the ball down and play.
For large periods of the game we were the better team and at 1-1, after Bailey had equalised, we were going into half-time all square....until Malpas scored with a speculative shot which bounced through our defence before being flicked into the net.
In the second quarter we had played some brilliant football including one move which involved every player - from Hugo, through the defence and midfield, before George's cross to Rory who brought a good save from the goalie. It would have been goal of the season and the move drew applause from both sets of parents and coaches.
At 2-1 the next goal was always going to be important. Unfortunately Malpas scored another two with similar goals where their midfielders shot waywardly from miles out only for the ball to fall both times to their striker.
We have told the boys, and we will keep repeating this mantra, that at this stage of the development we've got to be confident in playing the ball out from the back and today we looked like we belonged in the top division. This progression was always going to mean we give the odd goal away until we can find the balance of how we defended and organised versus our Jets and how we played football today.
Of the 10 games in the cup we only really got taken apart 3 times (Upton x 2 and Newscene at home). Highlights are obviously our 4-0 win against Newscene, our draw against Jets and how we played the last two weeks.
The boys also showed a great togetherness today as the game got a bit lively with a dive that Tom Daley would have been proud of, a couple of mis-timed Waverton tackles and the ref abandoning the game after I asked for a routine foul for tackle from behind. It was disappointing for them to throw every toy out the pram at 4-1 up, but overall it was an otherwise entertaining game.
MOTM went to Bailey who has shown he can lead the team and set the example.
Well done boys.
Monday 19 March 2018
MATCH REPORT - CUP GAME 9 - SAT 17 MARCH
ROCKETS 1 - 4 NEWTON
After a really good training session where we worked on first touch, pass and move and then painstakingly on defence to midfield we could see that our defenders all tried to pass and more importantly our midfielders were dropping off, moving and showing.
Some of our football this morning was superb and we scored a goal which came from Hugo and through the thirds before a killer ball to George who slotted home - that against a very good Newton side. We could have had other similar goals and whilst the score-line is emphatic the game was good to watch and we were not camped in our half.
Having gone 0-1 down we had our usual second quarter wobble to go into half-time at 0-3. That said, we talked about the next goal, got our heads back up and we got back into it from George.
The final 25 minutes of play ended 1-1 and we played some lovely stuff with a calmness and confidence sweeping though the team.
Speaking for myself, I've been worried if our Cup run would have a positive or negative effect on the rest of the season but if we can play like we did today then we have got a lot to look forward to when we get back to the league and tournaments. If we can match patient, calm build up play to our dynamism and speed from the early season we will be really good and should be able to control games more easily and see out tough moments.
We've one more Cup match to go against a Malpas team who will give us half a chance so hopefully we can play with the same belief and passing. We have told all the boys that we don't mind if we make mistakes or concede but we have to play football - the days of us punting it long ball into an oncoming midfield or running head down into trouble have to be put to bed.
Well done boys. Great performance.
MOTM went to Alex who like all the players took the training session into the match.
After a really good training session where we worked on first touch, pass and move and then painstakingly on defence to midfield we could see that our defenders all tried to pass and more importantly our midfielders were dropping off, moving and showing.
Some of our football this morning was superb and we scored a goal which came from Hugo and through the thirds before a killer ball to George who slotted home - that against a very good Newton side. We could have had other similar goals and whilst the score-line is emphatic the game was good to watch and we were not camped in our half.
Having gone 0-1 down we had our usual second quarter wobble to go into half-time at 0-3. That said, we talked about the next goal, got our heads back up and we got back into it from George.
The final 25 minutes of play ended 1-1 and we played some lovely stuff with a calmness and confidence sweeping though the team.
Speaking for myself, I've been worried if our Cup run would have a positive or negative effect on the rest of the season but if we can play like we did today then we have got a lot to look forward to when we get back to the league and tournaments. If we can match patient, calm build up play to our dynamism and speed from the early season we will be really good and should be able to control games more easily and see out tough moments.
We've one more Cup match to go against a Malpas team who will give us half a chance so hopefully we can play with the same belief and passing. We have told all the boys that we don't mind if we make mistakes or concede but we have to play football - the days of us punting it long ball into an oncoming midfield or running head down into trouble have to be put to bed.
Well done boys. Great performance.
MOTM went to Alex who like all the players took the training session into the match.
MATCH REPORT - CUP GAME 8 - SAT 10 MARCH
ROCKETS 0 - 7 UPTON
It was a tough day at the office as after a solid start we conceded 5 goals in 5 minutes in the second quarter.
Positives came when the boys started to pass the ball and we played well in the final two quarters.
MOTM went to Charlie.
It was a tough day at the office as after a solid start we conceded 5 goals in 5 minutes in the second quarter.
Positives came when the boys started to pass the ball and we played well in the final two quarters.
MOTM went to Charlie.
Monday 26 February 2018
MATCH REPORT - CUP GAME 7 - SAT 17 FEBRUARY
ROCKETS 0 - 2 CHRISTLETON NEWSCENE
A tough morning for the lads against very much Newscene's best 7 - who were looking for revenge after the earlier Cup fixture. Newscene paid our lads a great deal of respect in keeping their top players on until the last 8 minutes, whereas we rotated as usual each quarter.
After starting well with George finding some space up top and on the left we began to get bogged down in our half and we couldn't clear our lines effectively either through long balls which fell short into the Newscene midfield or by passing out as time-after-time we found opposition players. That said, we were tackling for our lives and Hugo made good saves and was very quick off his line.
We succumbed to a set-piece where we didn't attack either the first ball or the second ball which was headed home at the back post. At 0-1 down we got the boys in for a chat but with changes to make it was hard to get a clear message over about how best to play the ball through the thirds - something we had done brilliantly the night before in training!
In the second quarter it was more of the same with Hugo again making key interceptions with his efforts matched by our defending desire. We switched off for just a couple of seconds in midfield which allowed Newscene's best player to calmly take the ball down, advance and shoot to the top corner. A good hit but we needed to get to the ball much quicker to close down.
The last 20 minutes was far more even as the boys started to play and the pressing of Newscene slowed. We created a few good moments in the 3rd quarter before dominating the final 10 minutes and being really unlucky not to grab a goal after hitting the post twice in a 30 second spell which would have set up a grandstand finish.
Newscene are probably the best team we've played and are top of the group so to only concede 2 goals across two matches shows that defensively and in Hugo we have improved - we just need to be calmer in moving the ball from the defensive third into the midfield and beyond. Our midfielders have got to show more for the defenders and on occasions we are trying to make long runs in behind in anticipation of a 'Steven Gerrard' type ball that isn't quite where we are at just yet! This results in the ball landing in the lap of the opposition midfield and we are the wrong side of the game...and a panic to get back in goal side.
In the post match debrief the boys knew where we struggled and at training this Friday we will work solidly on this aspect of moving the ball through the thirds.
Well done boys - 10 out of 10 for effort.
MOTM went to Hugo who had a faultless game and who is commanding his area and taking responsibility for making the decisions in his area. Well done.
A tough morning for the lads against very much Newscene's best 7 - who were looking for revenge after the earlier Cup fixture. Newscene paid our lads a great deal of respect in keeping their top players on until the last 8 minutes, whereas we rotated as usual each quarter.
After starting well with George finding some space up top and on the left we began to get bogged down in our half and we couldn't clear our lines effectively either through long balls which fell short into the Newscene midfield or by passing out as time-after-time we found opposition players. That said, we were tackling for our lives and Hugo made good saves and was very quick off his line.
We succumbed to a set-piece where we didn't attack either the first ball or the second ball which was headed home at the back post. At 0-1 down we got the boys in for a chat but with changes to make it was hard to get a clear message over about how best to play the ball through the thirds - something we had done brilliantly the night before in training!
In the second quarter it was more of the same with Hugo again making key interceptions with his efforts matched by our defending desire. We switched off for just a couple of seconds in midfield which allowed Newscene's best player to calmly take the ball down, advance and shoot to the top corner. A good hit but we needed to get to the ball much quicker to close down.
The last 20 minutes was far more even as the boys started to play and the pressing of Newscene slowed. We created a few good moments in the 3rd quarter before dominating the final 10 minutes and being really unlucky not to grab a goal after hitting the post twice in a 30 second spell which would have set up a grandstand finish.
Newscene are probably the best team we've played and are top of the group so to only concede 2 goals across two matches shows that defensively and in Hugo we have improved - we just need to be calmer in moving the ball from the defensive third into the midfield and beyond. Our midfielders have got to show more for the defenders and on occasions we are trying to make long runs in behind in anticipation of a 'Steven Gerrard' type ball that isn't quite where we are at just yet! This results in the ball landing in the lap of the opposition midfield and we are the wrong side of the game...and a panic to get back in goal side.
In the post match debrief the boys knew where we struggled and at training this Friday we will work solidly on this aspect of moving the ball through the thirds.
Well done boys - 10 out of 10 for effort.
MOTM went to Hugo who had a faultless game and who is commanding his area and taking responsibility for making the decisions in his area. Well done.
Monday 5 February 2018
MATCH REPORT - CUP GAME 6 - SAT 3 FEBRUARY
ROCKETS 1 - 1 JETS
As we started the second round of cup fixtures it was time to see if we had learnt anything from the first 5 games. The boys showed a good shape, kept positions, won individual battles and didn't dive into tackles unless they were last ditch (Austin!!). So the report is a 10/10 for improvement!
The coaches had also leant 'a little' as we employed Fin and Xander to stay close to James who had brilliantly taken the game away from us in the first fixture. A sign of how good a job Fin and Xander did was the fact that James was restricted to only two chances in 48 minutes of play - so well done boys for a really disciplined display against the best player in the league.
Overall the match should remembered for the defensive Union of Hugo (with 3 or 4 brilliant saves), Alex, Charlie and William - ably helped by Fin and Xander. Our positional play and decision making was excellent and we were able to stop through balls, anticipate and get in front of the Jets forward line which forced them to over hit balls or shoot from distance.
Jets are a great passing team and we can learn how they often go back to go forward; which we are learning at training.
The scoring was opened by a soft goal from our point of view with the Jets player too easily beating our defenders before poking the ball at a 2mph trickle past the on rushing Hugo. The lesson here is really clear - someone needs to make a decision - either the defender puts the ball out or the goalie rushes out to do the same. There can't be any indecision. We will do some work on this in training.
The boys didn't let their heads drop and if anything over the final 15 minutes the game was very even with us creating good chances. This led to a move where Rory was in shooting range inside the box with the Jets defender having gone very early to ground to block; which unfortunately he did with both hands to give away a penalty. Austin stood up to the pressure and scored to the bottom left.
The boys stood firm in the final moments with Jets hitting the post and winning a free-kick from 15 yards which was the last play of pulsating match.
MOTM was a unanimous shout from the coaches and went to William who was at the centre of a brilliant defensive display from our back 3 or 4! Big shout also to Hugo and Fin today.
Well done boys - everyone can be proud of their individual performances today.
As we started the second round of cup fixtures it was time to see if we had learnt anything from the first 5 games. The boys showed a good shape, kept positions, won individual battles and didn't dive into tackles unless they were last ditch (Austin!!). So the report is a 10/10 for improvement!
The coaches had also leant 'a little' as we employed Fin and Xander to stay close to James who had brilliantly taken the game away from us in the first fixture. A sign of how good a job Fin and Xander did was the fact that James was restricted to only two chances in 48 minutes of play - so well done boys for a really disciplined display against the best player in the league.
Overall the match should remembered for the defensive Union of Hugo (with 3 or 4 brilliant saves), Alex, Charlie and William - ably helped by Fin and Xander. Our positional play and decision making was excellent and we were able to stop through balls, anticipate and get in front of the Jets forward line which forced them to over hit balls or shoot from distance.
Jets are a great passing team and we can learn how they often go back to go forward; which we are learning at training.
The scoring was opened by a soft goal from our point of view with the Jets player too easily beating our defenders before poking the ball at a 2mph trickle past the on rushing Hugo. The lesson here is really clear - someone needs to make a decision - either the defender puts the ball out or the goalie rushes out to do the same. There can't be any indecision. We will do some work on this in training.
The boys didn't let their heads drop and if anything over the final 15 minutes the game was very even with us creating good chances. This led to a move where Rory was in shooting range inside the box with the Jets defender having gone very early to ground to block; which unfortunately he did with both hands to give away a penalty. Austin stood up to the pressure and scored to the bottom left.
The boys stood firm in the final moments with Jets hitting the post and winning a free-kick from 15 yards which was the last play of pulsating match.
MOTM was a unanimous shout from the coaches and went to William who was at the centre of a brilliant defensive display from our back 3 or 4! Big shout also to Hugo and Fin today.
Well done boys - everyone can be proud of their individual performances today.
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