MATCH REPORT - SAT 23 APRIL

ROCKETS 2 - 5 ELLESMERE PORT

The boys came up against a really decent Ellesmere Port team this morning who had a couple of very strong players. The score line doesn't reflect our dominance of the game particularly in the final two quarters.

Ellesmere Port started slightly quicker than us and put down a marker with some strong but fair tackles. They went 0-2 up after 15 minutes with goals that perhaps on another day we could avoid by closing down quicker. 

At the end of second quarter Xander broke up the play, beat one player and belted the ball into the top left. The goal was deserved and we were starting to get on top.

At 1-2 down we started the 3rd quarter really well and with some great tackling and passing. We dominated the opening exchanges of the quarter and piled on the pressure which resulted in a goal line scramble from which Bailey finished nicely to bring us level.

At 2-2 I felt we could go on to win the match but from the resulting restart Ellesmere passed the ball to their best player who scored a very good goal. Having hauled ourselves back into the game the boys heads dropped a little before we regained our composure.

We were really unlucky not to score at least two goals with the ball bobbling over Baileys foot when he was about to score from three yards and Zac hitting the post from the best move of the match. Ellesmere Port were always a threat on the break, particularly down the left, and their talented (but highly spirited!) no. 10 scored another two, taking the game away from us.

It's not an understatement to say that the only things Hugo had to do was pick the ball out of the net! We played very well and created a lot more chances than the opposition. However we need to remember to play our football in the opposition half and not to get caught on the ball in our half when there are better options and passes we can make. This is particularly important when playing strong teams like today. 

MOTM came down to three or four contenders. William, Fin and Xander all had very good games and were creative and strong but the award went to Zac who in the early exchanges stood up to the task. 

This was our first defeat in 6 games and only our second since Christmas and it won't do us any harm. We can learn from this game and come back stronger next week.