MATCH REPORT - SAT 14 JANUARY

ROCKETS 6 - 0 MALPAS BLACKS

A perfect performance against a team which had beaten Vicars Cross a week earlier and who themselves were in good form.

Both teams started brightly and the opening 5 minutes was pretty hectic as Malpas looked to put in hard tackles, work hard and play down the left through their best player. We looked very solid though as William read the play very well and was able to out muscle the Malpas forwards and link with Xander and Rory ahead of him.

Our running ability through Xander and all round movement became too much for Malpas and Rory drove home to put us 1-0 up and in control. The boys did not let up and after 13 minutes we introduced Fin on the left, Bailey in the middle and Harry up top.

It was really pleasing that we were able to keep our shape and the second goal soon game with Bailey following in and tapping home to give us some breathing space. Xander soon put us 3-0 up with a trade mark early shot with no back-lift which gave the keeper no chance. Hugo also pulled off a good save late into the half to keep us well ahead.

At half-time we talked about how important the next goal would be. In the second half Malpas began to tire with all the shadows they were chasing as we moved the ball in angles all around them. This resulted in a 5 man move from the back involving William, Bailey, Harry, Rory and finally George through on goal to dink it past the keeper. A contender for goal of the season and up there with the one in the Frodsham festival.

George then grabbed another before Fin went up for a corner and smashed the clearance back on goal into the net with the cleanest of clean strikes!

At 6-0 up we could have made it 7-0 as Rory played George in again but unfortunately he did a Geoff Thomas! It would have been a great hat-trick as well.

Everyone really played at their peak today and we looked really motivated and concentrated on what we'd talked about in training and pre-match. The wasn't an easy match on paper but we made it look easy. Malpas will improve in the away fixture on a smaller pitch - they are a hard working team.  

MOTM was between two players. William for his calm and collected play which linked and set up lots of moves down the right...and Rory for his movement and passing. The award went to Rory who continued his unbelievable improvement following on from the end of last season.

BUT well done to everyone, a fab performance. The Malpas coach texted to say it was a pleasure to play such a good footballing side.