MATCH REPORT - SAT 2 JAN

ROCKETS 0 : 3 TARVIN ATHLETIC

A tough friendly match against a strong Tarvin (mostly A team) brought our unbeaten run to an end this morning. 

The lads played well in periods and some of the passing moves were good. Quite  often we got ourselves to positions of one V one or two V one, which on another day we might have done better from. 

We went 1-0 down from a corner which got past the near post - something we can work on as this happens too often. The second came from one of the Tarvin academy lads breaking up our play, us not making a couple of tackles before he hit an unstoppable shot. We went in after the first period 2-0 down but we had matched Tarvin quite well. 

The second period ended 0-0 and for the first 10 minutes we played well with some good passing moves especially down the left hand side. Zac was unlucky not to score with their keeper pulling of a great save. 

Early in the final period we conceded an uncharacteristic goal from our goal kick and our heads dropped a bit and Tarvin did pile on the pressure but we managed to keep the score down with some last ditch defending and goal line scrambles. 

Playing against a team made up of Tarvin's better players was useful as it showed that the lads have come a long way this season, can play competitively at this level and have the base skills. The difference between the two sides was organisation, positions and decision making - something we'd actually improved on recently! 

At times today we followed the ball a bit too much and in all positions the decision to pass could have made earlier. This was an issue going forward which meant that if they broke the play we got caught on the break with some of our midfielders in the wrong position. In defence if we didn't clear quickly enough Tarvin were "on us". We will try to do some work using the three zones of the pitch in training.

Well done to the lads over the last two games. They've been really competitive and show us how far we've come this season and what we can work on to get even better.

Back to Friday training and the league next weekend! 

Thanks
Rob